Name: Patrick Gardiner
Formed: October 2012
Hometown: Magheralin
Genre: Jazzy acoustic folk-pop
Line-up: Solo
What They Say: ‘Acoustic based singer-songwriter with flavours of soul and jazz. Equal parts sincere and absurd.’
What We Say: A refreshingly honest songwriter who’s full of heart.
◀ Q & A ▶
▶ When did you start playing music and how would you describe your sound?
I’ve been singing (for lack of a better term) since I was a toddler, and I got my first guitar when I was 3. I started learning my first proper chords when I was 10 years old and have been writing songs ever since. I always loved writing stories and poems and stuff as a kid and grew up in a house filled with music so it’s sort of always been a part of my life.
I would describe my sound as very personal and very much my own, because it’s informed by what I listen to which is very eclectic. So my sound is like this big amalgamation of lots of different influences. In a few words though, it’s acoustic folk-pop with a jazzy, soulful twist. Various journalists and radio types have compared me to everyone from Villagers, to Paolo Nutini, to Bill Withers; All of which are very flattering so I’m not complaining!
▶ What music have you put out so far?
In October 2012 I released my first EP which was called Save Myself. I recorded it with Michael Mormecha that summer and we had a nice intimate launch gig in Lisburn. Since then I’ve just been gigging and writing loads and I’m currently in the pre-production phase of a brand new EP. I’m really proud of the way these songs have developed and progressed from my first EP and I’m hoping to get it released before I go away to university in September.
▶ Is there a particular live show which stands out amongst all the rest?
I played a show in Lavery’s a couple of weeks ago which I loved because it was a really rowdy crowd, but they all got really into it. There was even a few people who got up and danced which was incredible. I had to do an hour long set which was cool because I got to play loads of outrageous covers to fill the time, ranging from Beyoncé to Mojo Fury.
I also played a gig up in the Playhouse Theatre in Derry shortly after I released my Save Myself EP which was in a lovely room with a really nice respectful audience. The Headliner for that gig was actually SOAK, so it’s cool to look back on that and see where she’s got to now.
▶ What has been the highlight of the journey so far?
Getting featured by The Guardian as ‘One To Watch’ in 2014 was a massive boost for me and really helped me believe that there might actually be people who want to listen to my music. It’s hard to pick one highlight overall though… my favourite thing I’ve got out of playing music has just been all the amazing people I’ve met. I’ve found that being part of a creative industry means that you get to see people at their best and worst. You’re subjected to a lot of beauty and a lot of incredible talent and that has helped keep me grounded and helped shape my perspective on things.
Basically, the highlight is being surrounded by artists, who all have this incredible passion and conviction in what they do, and making good friends.
▶ You are in control of forming a 4 piece ‘super group’ – who is in it and what do they do?
Aretha Franklin on vocals, cause she’s the queen.
Mingus on bass.
Walter Becker (Steely Dan) on guitar.
Bernard Purdie on drums.
That would simply be the grooviest band ever.
▶ If you were to go on a world tour and you could pick any 3 acts come along, who would they be?
If they have to be living artists I would probably go with Nathaniel Rateliff, Esperanza Spalding and St. Vincent.
▶ What would be the 3 strangest things on your rider if you were able to make any demand?
My own personal Guinness tap in the dressing room would be the dream. In fact I have had that dream.
I would also like a wardrobe full of woolly jumpers and some green tea… rock and roll.
▶ Who has been your biggest inspiration as a musician?
I owe a lot to the music taste of my parents. I grew up with them constantly blasting their LPs and tapes around the house. That ranged from the acoustic stuff like Damien Rice and David Gray to a lot of Motown and Soul that my dad listened to.
If I had to single out one artist that I think really influenced the way I think about and create music, it would probably be John Martyn. You couldn’t categorise him into one genre, he was totally eclectic because he just played the music he loved. He recorded everything from traditional irish folk songs, to old negro-spirituals and Acid Jazz! Joni Mitchell had the same approach, and her album Hejira is still one of my favourite folk/jazz crossover albums. John and Joni also taught me how to play in altered guitar tunings and I now have so many of my own songs written in weird tunings that I need several guitars to get through a set!
▶ Is there a particular aim or goal which you hope to achieve through music?
Making a living doing music is the ultimate goal I guess. Everybody wants to survive off what they love doing. I just want to keep refining my craft and keep making music and hopefully through time and hard work I can reach a progressively wider audience.
Making music makes me happy so if I can continue doing that for the rest of my life, that would be more than enough.
◀ LISTEN ▶
Facebook ▶ /patrickgardinermusic
