Eric Harrison: The Joy of Making Music and Building Community

What if music wasn't an escape, but a way to stay present? We explore the joy of making music and how songs build a music community when we need it most.

Not every song is written to last forever. Some are written simply because they feel good in the moment—because they sound like a crowded room when you’re alone, or because they make the silence feel a little less heavy. In this episode, J.D. reflects on the first time music felt like true company: not as a performance to be judged or an escape to another world, but as a grounding presence.

We are joined by New Jersey-based singer-songwriter Eric Harrison to discuss his latest album, Bittersweet. Eric shares the story behind his anthem “Sal’s Place,” a tribute to the sweaty basements and wobbly decks where the joy of music is found in its purest form. Together, they explore the rare honesty that comes from creating art simply because you love it, and how a shared melody can foster a deep sense of music community.

This conversation is an invitation to value nostalgia without bitterness and to rediscover the joy of making music for the sake of the craft itself. Join us as we discuss why some songs don't need to change your life, they just need to keep you company.

Connect with Eric Harrison and his music HERE
Go backstage HERE
Theme music by: Lincoln Parish

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If this episode sparked a memory, a question about the craft, or a story you’d rather speak than type, come sit at our table. You can leave a voice note for the studio or explore our resources for creators at:

https://www.speakpipe.com/StoryHouse

I listen to every note personally during my Friday stewardship hours. No pressure to be polished, just be human.

Creators and Guests

Host

J.D. Murgolo

Founder of Story House

What is Come Back To Earth | Music & Mental Health?

What does it cost to make music, and what does it give back? Come Back to Earth is a weekly music interview podcast where host J.D. Murgolo sits down with musicians and songwriters to explore mental health, creative survival, and the stories hidden behind the songs.

We go beyond the stage to uncover the wounds, turning points, and hard-won hopes that shape an artist's life. Through honest conversations about the creative process, music and mental health, and what it means to keep going, this is a show where the music is the doorway — and the soul is the destination.

Because the most important thing an artist makes isn't the record. It's the decision to come back to themselves.