Conversations with Eric Tempelaere

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Tempelaere.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always dreamt of making a “career” out of my original music. It was my main passion as a kid, constantly having an ailment that I like to call “band name brain” – always seeking inspiration for artist names, song titles, concepts for albums, etc. This was the only goal that seemed worth achieving in my kid brain. Through the end of my first substantial band “Filmloom,” dropping out of college, coming out, flailing through my first gay relationship(s), several music monikers changed (E. Andre, Bronze Wolf, and currently Elare), and finding my way through my 20’s, that dream honestly became starkly contrasted by my reality. I’m finding my way just like anyone else and learning to embrace the ways in which I have disappointed myself. I’m learning to love making music for myself with less worry about where or how vastly it might reach. I’m trying to do it for the health of my own relationship with that childhood passion. I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I’m my biggest fan, but the critic is always looming. The perfectionist in me is always pushing to get better, and here I am ~ navigating that duality with both grace and blunder, but trying to be more grateful every day. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has definitely been bumpy, but there are too many facets to that bumpy road to get into at a quick glance. There is one clear stumbling block for me though: social media. Social media has always been a struggle for me. It’s become a “necessary evil” for any artistic venture. Sometimes the platform is the medium itself, and sometimes it’s just the main public forum we have to spread our brand of inevitable promotion. I’m trying to fuss less about what people think, and still use it as a personal platform too – but it’s truly a strange digital world we live in. #followme @iamelare lol 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for melodramatic lyrics, synths, keys, and beats. if you’re into it, I’m a 4/5 on the enneagram, so I feel a lot of feelings and naturally over-intellectualize them. I’m loosely a drummer, a synth & keyboard enthusiast, a songwriter, vocalist, recording artist, experimenter, and producer; whatever labels or boxes work for all of that. I feel like I’m slowly carving out a new sound that is unique to me but is certainly not trying to adhere to a specific genre. I’m open to “scoring” life however I please at the moment and love to think of expression as a search or exploration. Honestly, I’m most proud of my recent release called “Zen Shit” – can I curse here? Meditation has been a really important part of healing & becoming the best version of me, and I feel like we don’t talk about it casually enough – so I’m here for that. 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Honestly, the title can throw you off if you’re not familiar but I’m obsessed with the podcast “Just Break Up” hosted by two queers who like to give unprofessional relationship advice. I think it helps expand your mind and perspective to a broad spectrum of human relationships. The hosts (Sierra DeMulder and Sam Blackwell definitely feel like two of my friends at this point. 

Contact Info:

• Email: theonlyelare@gmail.com
• Website: https://elare.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/iamelare
• Facebook: facebook.com/theonlyelare
• Twitter: twitter.com/iamelare

Image Credits
Hwa-Jeen Na