If you haven’t heard of Eric Himan, you will. His fifth studio album, Everywhere All At Once, is taking the indie world by storm. With its blend of folk, bluegrass and rock and roll, this compilation’s unique sound is just what our disjointed society is looking for.

Himan’s lyrics are real, revealing his most personal thoughts about romantic relationships, homophobia, societal ills and Hurricane Katrina.

“It only takes one song to make the world shine,” sings Himan in the second track on the record, an anthem to big-time record producers who strive to stifle independent music. “They say I will drown in obscurity, but they forgot themselves/ But no they’ll never forget me.”

When asked about this song, Himan acknowledged the indie great Ani DiFranco. An inspiration of his, DiFranco is a musician dedicated to opening minds through her music and her unfaltering sense of self, he said.

“It started with Janis Joplin, then it went to Ani,” Himan said. “Janis was the beginning and Ani inspired me to become a singer/songwriter.”

Born in Pittsburg, Penn., Himan’s father served in the military, which forced his family to relocate constantly. Due to this inability to set roots, as an adult Himan found himself more comfortable living a nomadic life than settling down in Pennsylvania.

Traveling from city to city in his trusty minivan, he writes most of his songs on the road.

In his sixth song on the album, “Where I’m Going,” Himan answers the question, “Where are you from?” with, “Don’t ask me where I’m from, ask me where I’m going.” And where is Eric Himan going? Simple: Everywhere, all at once.

“I’ve been bouncing around since childhood,” he said. “But now things are more difficult. When you find someone you love you want to be near them; to be home.”

Openly gay, Himan delves into a wide range of emotions in his music. While he admits his previous albums were a bit more disillusioned, this album is in part a response to his finding love and his coming to terms with adulthood. He says love has given him insight but also challenged him in all new ways. In his soulful vocals and mesmerizing acoustics, Himan creates a beautiful picture of the difficulty of admiration and the strength it takes to let go and just be with someone.

In probably his most zealous song, Himan sings, “I don’t want another drink/ I’ve had enough/ The weight of my heart does not involve getting me drunk/ I’m after a genuine one/ So don’t kiss my ass to get my pants undone!”

Rippled with wit and character, this album is an upbeat yet edgy look at our personal lives and the world around us.

But this CD is not all about love and its mysteries. In a song titled “A New Life,” Himan takes a deep and personal look at the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As a survivor of Hurricane Andrew, he felt a personal and powerful reaction to the coverage and effect of Katrina. The ballad is his response.

Although Himan still lives in Pennsylvania, he visits the West Coast frequently.

“If I was ever to move, I’d live in San Diego,” he said. “From the Gaslamp to the Heights, I love San Diego!”

If the GLBT community is looking for a singer/songwriter to open their hearts, they need look no further. Eric Himan is hot and his success is just beginning.

To find out more about Himan and his music, visit www.erichiman.com or listen to a few of his songs at www.myspace.com/erichiman.