Globally celebrated icon Éric Cantona announces today the release of his debut EP ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’, released October 20th via Decca Records.
The release of ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’ coincides with Éric’s first ever live tour, of which the UK dates sold-out due to overwhelming demand. The string of intimate UK and European live dates mark Éric’s debut live musical performance, playing at Manchester’s Stoller Hall, London’s Bloomsbury Theatre and Dublin’s Liberty Hall.
Recorded and produced by Johan Dalgaard at the La Frette Studios, the forthcoming EP will comprise of Éric’s first 4 singles, a mixture of both English and French speaking songs. Previously released ‘The Friends We Lost’, French sung ‘Tu Me Diras’, swaggering rock offering of ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’ and intimately psychedelic trip-hop ‘Je Veux’.
“J’écris pour exister car il n’existe que moi pour écrire ainsi…writing is a way for me to exist, as only my existence can result in writing this way!” Eric says.
Music has always been one of Éric Cantona’s greatest passions. Like theatre, cinema, painting, poetry and photography, these are not hobbies of a former champion but the extension of Éric’s global work, and the extension of an absolute need to express himself. A need that has consumed him since childhood.
“Music has always been a part of my life. I’ve always had music playing. Why start today, so many years later? Simply because I had lacked the time before. During lockdown, I finally managed to give the guitar a serious go, and even though I’m still a poor guitarist, I felt confident enough to whip a few songs into shape”.
Éric Cantona isn’t as new to the scene as he claims. Having contributed lyrics for Lady Sir, a duo formed by his wife, actress and singer Rachida Brakni and Gaëtan Roussel, he had already ventured behind the mic on a few occasions.
Living intensely remains something Éric Cantona has never stopped doing. Firing up crowds, setting passions alight like few others, he was determined to rekindle this feeling by making the stage the ultimate goal of his musical endeavours. “Next year, I’ll be playing with a band, but for now I’m starting with a modest piano and cello to play alongside me in intimate venues. I’ll be starting in Manchester, because it’s a city that has stayed with me so much. For the football of course, but also the general atmosphere”.
For someone who has striven his whole career to elevate the sport to new artistic heights, whose personal Pantheon includes Johan Cruyff and Jim Morrison, this goes beyond the mere symbol. It’s a life dream that has become a reality.
EP TRACKLIST:
‘The Friends We Lost’
‘Tu Me Diras’
‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’
‘Je Veux’
LIVE DATES:
Thu 26 October – Stoller Hall, Manchester *SOLD OUT*
Fri 27 October – Stoller Hall, Manchester *SOLD OUT*
Sat 28 October – Bloomsbury Theatre, London *SOLD OUT*
Sun 29 October – Bloomsbury Theatre, London *SOLD OUT*
Tue 31 October – Liberty Hall, Dublin *SOLD OUT*
