On April 23, Eric Jay Santos’ two-song EP Ocean / Crystal Blue debuted at #7 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart. “Ocean” and “Crystal Blue” are the leading tracks from Santos’ compilation album Eric, which peaked at #11 on the global chart. His top-performing countries included India, South Africa, Indonesia, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Thailand.
Known artistically as Ewreckage, Santos is a songwriter-producer from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Eric serves as a personal anthology of the artist’s life experiences, merging folk, pop, and rock influences. His top musical inspirations include Ed Sheeran, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan. The eponymous work came together after he had the idea of spelling out his first name through a series of album titles: Eccentric (2020), Ruby (2021), Iconic (2023), Classe Mundial (2025).
“At 25 years old, I’m proud to have created this collection of my young adulthood,” Santos said. “I was also able to compete against some of the biggest music artists in the world, scoring a global top 10 hit. I definitely have a competitive side, so I’m happy to have achieved that. At the same time, I really just want to share my art with others and make a positive impact.”
Every track on Eric carries a personal story behind it. His acoustic tune “Stone Man” originated from a social media exchange with Sheeran. The English singer once advised Santos to “write through” tough days and “dare to suck” when facing writer’s block. The song explores the idea that perfectionism can be the “enemy of good”.
Santos shared, “That was a huge moment for me because Ed Sheeran is my favorite artist of all time. Even though we didn’t write together, his advice led to the concept of ‘Stone Man’. I also think it’s cool that he’s taken an interest in Massachusetts. He filmed the ‘Old Phone’ music video here in March, and we’re both Boston Celtics fans.”
The 13-track project offers other snapshots of Santos’ lived experiences. “Ocean” started as a poem about a high school crush, while “Crystal Blue” is a homage to Portugal’s beautiful beaches. “Power” is inspired by a family party game passed down from his father. The whimsical “Garfunkel McWetjet” is based on a surreal dream shared by his brother. “Madeira” is a tribute to New Bedford’s annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. “Snow Globe” references a souvenir his girlfriend bought him during their summer vacation to Tennessee.
As his music continues to reach international audiences, Santos remains grounded in his hometown, where he teaches English language skills at a middle school. His academic credentials include a BA in English and Secondary Education from Bridgewater State University and an MA in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.
Santos also has experience as an affiliate basketball journalist for Sports Illustrated and ESPN Radio. He covered the Boston Celtics’ historic 2024 championship run, interviewing NBA figures such as Jrue Holiday, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, and Hall of Famer Rick Barry.
“There’s no limit to dreaming,” Santos said. “I hope to inspire others to chase their own dreams. Anything is possible with the right approach and a plan.”
