Published: September 5, 2010 11:00 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive (Celebrity Interview with Singer/Songwriter/Producer, Dave Patten) September 2010 Edition
Dave Patten photo by Gene Smirnov
Meet Dave Patten, Singer/Songwriter/Producer, who is masterfully creating music that comes from the heart & soul. Patten’s true gift is that he is the real deal as he self-produces and writes all of his own material. His songs carry relatable themes that anyone can easily associate with when listening to his music. Patten has also created his own production company, South9 Entertainment, which is a production company that focuses on music video and short film. The multi-talented Patten spent some time speaking with us online about his music, Production Company, and the state of the Indie Culture in this in-depth and honest spotlight. Enjoy!
Isaac: I just listened to one of your songs titled, "Echo" which I absolutely love along with the rest of your music from your album, “Boomerang”. What was the inspiration for making this song and your new album?
Dave: I was with a new girl at the time when I was writing "Echo", and was doing a little songwriting before I went out with her. I was nervous and over-thinking the entire night, about every possible scenario that could have gone down (haha) and that all came out in the song. I like to be very personal in my songs.
Isaac: Who would say have been your major musical influences that have inspired you to want to perform and sing?
Dave: I was hooked on music from the day I discovered Led Zeppelin. I am a musician because I love the songwriting part -- singing is actually just secondary because it comes with the job. I'm inspired by anyone who actually writes their own material (aka NOT artists like Madonna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Justin Beiber, Usher, etc.). From Jimmy Page to Kurt Cobain to Taylor Swift or the guys from Maroon 5, they all inspire me in different ways. Above all, Kanye West is my biggest influence and
inspiration. I always get berated by my fans for naming him of all people, but it's true. He's the man.
Isaac: What do you consider to have been the highlight(s) and low point(s) of your music career to date?
Dave: Highlights have definitely been recent events, including touring around
the film festival circuit promoting my music video "Inside" (www.Inside-Movie.com), opening for Wyclef Jean at the Atlantic City House of Blues, and just interacting with fans in general. It's all I can ask for to be appreciated and recognized for what I do (my fans are really good at doing that, lol).
Low points just come with insecurity and doubt. This whole experience is a roller-coaster of good days and bad days. I try not to obsess and just focus on the great things that I have and have and have accomplished.
Isaac: Brief history about your background plus what would you consider is your style of music you play.
Dave: I was in a classic rock band all throughout high school (and yes we were awesome, haha) and my senior year, we broke up and I went on to pursue a solo career. Almost five years later I'm about to release my 6th album (all on iTunes), I have almost 2 million views on my YouTube videos, music videos on MTV, a licensing deal with the MTV Network, a few sponsorship deals an awesome group of fans!! It can be done.
My music is like acoustic pop, to put it as simply as possible.
Isaac: How easy has it been for you to get gigs in your area? What is the live music scene like in your area?
Dave: Philly's live music scene is mediocre. When you need/want to pull a big crowd you can definitely do it, but the neighboring cities are more supportive in general. Personally, I prefer writing in the studio and shooting music videos to touring around.
Dave Patten
photo by Gene Smirnov
Isaac: What do you think of the state of Indie music at the moment?
Dave: (haha) I don't really know if I can even address this question without writing out a novel-length response. The industry is down the drain in so many ways. Financially, there is no money to be made. Everyone downloads music free, so the labels try to compensate by charging $90/ticket when Rihanna goes on tour, and then they wonder why ticket sales have gone down. They are risk averse and therefore continue to pump out repetitive product that they know will sell (aka Lady GaGa, Justin Bieber) but it's
gone before you know it. The quick buck today is all they care about, not tomorrow.
I can back up everything I say because I have met all of the A&R guys at the big labels. Peter Edge said it himself, he wouldn't sign John Mayer if he walked into his office today. He just wants "spectacle". And so indie music continues on the same path that it always has – being independent. Artists do what they want, write the music they want to write, and struggle to get by. That's the way it's always been, I'm not complaining or condemning. The music industry is a business, you have to recognize that. Indie artists can no longer only be the hippy songwriter, they have to be their own business manager, marketing and PR representative and bookie.
This is all I've ever known, I wasn't around when 20 million CDs were sold in a week. So I embrace what there is to embrace and run with it.
Isaac: When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
Dave: Kanye West and Meek Mill, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, Taylor Swift, and I'm actually a pretty big fan of my own music (lol) so I listen to that a lot as well.
Isaac: Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?
Dave: Statistically, it has helped it grow; more people are listening to music now than ever before. It's also helped someone like me who can't afford $100k marketing campaigns to make a name for himself. The toughest part is breaking through the incredibly over-saturated blanket of terrible music that exists out there online.
Isaac: Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Dave: Music is an extremely emotionally powerful element in our lives. I think given the right context it can do a lot. It has for me, on a personal/existential/emotion level, not just as a career path.
Isaac: As an accomplished songwriter, where do you get your inspirations from to write the wonderful lyrics as you do?
Dave: As much as it pains me to say this, there is really only one girl who makes it happen for me. I don't think she even knows it either. I guess I need to try harder.
Isaac: What CDs do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?
Dave: You can purchase all 5 of my albums on iTunes or Amazon, and of course everything you could ever need is available at www.davepatten.com. My sixth album will be out in October, so keep tabs :)
Isaac: You also have created South9 Entertainment which is a production company that focuses on music video and short film. What was the main reason why you wanted to create your own production company and what do you hope your production company will achieve?
Dave: As I said above, there is no money in music. I love music and will always be writing and promoting, but in the meantime I need to be able to take girls out to dinner without legitimately considering the dine-and-ditch. I went to school for film, and have always been of the independent/entrepreneurial mindset (thanks to my dad!!) so I started my own production company. Our offices are downtown in Philly, and we do a
lot of great work with the big rappers in town, pop artists and indie rockers.
We've been touring the festival circuit lately for the music video "Inside" and have met a lot of great people. We'll be out in LA in October to work with some of them, and hope to release our feature film this winter.
Isaac: One of your short films that your company is currently working on is titled “Acceptance”. What can you tell our readers about this film and your part in the movie?
Dave: Acceptance is the story of two engineering students who take a giant leap into an unknown field; murder. Mark (Dave Patten) and Alex (Josh West) put their minds and hearts to the test as they stalk out their victim, Christopher Holmes (John Note). But before the deed can be completed, Mark’s emotions get the best of him and he makes one irreversible decision…
It was so much fun filming this. I think everyone should watch the trailer and just see for themselves, it's tough to describe.
Isaac: Do you believe that there are too many Indie crap out there on the market currently?
Dave: Yes. The majority of music out there (similarly with film) sucks. I don't want to hear your sappy guitar as you whine about your bf who left. Maybe that's just me. And maybe I'm a huge hypocrite because half of my songs are about gf's who've left me (haha) but in my defense I think I put A LOT more effort into it than they do... If you don't believe me then you be the judge.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music, videos, blogs, information about your production company, and anything else about you online?
