Westminster student explores life as a singer-songwriter

The Canfield native is assembling a band for his next release.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- It's the era of the singer-songwriter, which suits J.D. Eicher just fine.
Armed with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, the Canfield native and Westminster College student has become a regular on the college and coffeehouse circuit in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
On Friday, his second CD, "Broken Mirrors and Microscopes," will be released, a follow-up to his debut, 2006's "Wings to Fly." Eicher will mark the event with a record-release show at Westminster College.
"It's safe to say my generation's love for singer-songwriters pulled me into the genre," said the business major. "This generation welcomes it."
Influences
Eicher's musical influences are readily apparent, with John Mayer and Howie Day being most obvious. What's not so clear is where the 20-year-old got all that songwriting talent.
He's been playing guitar for nine years, but began writing songs just three years ago.
On the 13 tracks of "Broken Mirrors," Eicher mixes world-weary realism with a wistful heart.
"Some of my lyrics come directly from my life experience," he said. But when that runs out, he said he explores hypothetical situations.
Picking and strumming his way through frequent tempo changes, Eicher uses his guitar and breathy vocals to provide a perfect instrumental vehicle for his musings.
What's next
While he's excited about "Broken Mirrors," Eicher said changes are coming.
"The new album will be the last one I do 'raw'. I played everything on this one," he said, "but for the next one, I will have a full backup band." He's already begun assembling musicians.
While putting out the new CD has kept him busy these last few weeks, Eicher, a Canfield High School graduate, is keeping the future open.
"I'd love to play music for as long as I can," he said.
"Broken Mirrors and Microscopes" can be purchased for 10 at Friday's show, or at Eicher's Web site (myspace.com/jdeicher). It will also be available through cdbaby.com, itunes and digstation.com in mid-April.