A Chat with Jon Pattie (13.11.18)
The Other Side Reviews has come across its fair share of talented Texans, but up ’til now we’ve been bombarded with bands. Now we’re adding a singer-songwriter to the growing list of Texans, and we even had a chance to speak with him! Up-and-coming star, Jon Pattie (JP), took some time to chat with Nicole from OSR about his latest release, sobering experiences and his heart’s deepest desire.
OSR: Hi, Jon, and thanks for chatting with me today. It’s great to meet such a talented young performer. Shall we begin?
JP: I appreciate the opportunity to be able to talk to
OSR: Firstly, your background is quite the 180-degree flip when it comes to careers. You studied chemical engineering at university and then decided to go into music. What prompted that decision?
JP: It wasn’t so much of a ‘flip’ as it was a ‘redirection’. I have been playing music since I was in middle school and continued into college. I was actually part of a couple of different bands, a choir, and an a cappella group while I was studying engineering. Engineering had always been a backup plan for me in case music didn’t work out, at least until I took an internship in the industry. When I actually had the opportunity to work a 9-5 engineering job, I quickly realised I wasn’t meant to be at a desk for the rest of my life. I missed the stage and writing. Immediately upon returning to college, I started my solo career and began writing as an independent singer-songwriter.
OSR: You currently finished a tour across Texas promoting your album Reflections, Vol.1. Can you tell us about the touring experience?
JP: The touring experience was incredible! This was my first time to really get on the road and play shows on a regular basis. I loved every minute of it! It helps confirm to me I am on the right path. We played shows, met tons of new fans, sold lots of copies of Reflections, Vol. I, and had some delicious, authentic Tex-Mex. Although we worked a lot, we also had fun along the way. We actually rented electric scooters while in San Antonio to ride around and check out the city.
OSR: What inspired you to write your latest album, Reflections? Also, why have you chosen to release Reflections as a four-part series?
JP: Reflections has been in the works since I began my music career. Ever since I changed the course of my life to go all-in on music, I’ve gone through an extensive period of self-discovery and self-awareness. This was initially brought on by my lack of understanding of my true passion and goals but has progressed due to my desire to become the best version of ‘me’ possible. All of the songs in the Reflections series has and will showcase this evolution as I continue to pursue where I am meant to go and who I am meant to be. I’ve chosen to release Reflections as a four-part series because as I continue to grow and evolve, so will my music. I believe the best way to showcase this evolution is through an ongoing series instead of one twelve-song album.
OSR: You’ve said that each volume of the series reveals a certain aspect of your personality and exploration of self-discovery. I know you’ve only released volume one, but could you tell us about each of the EPs? What they represent and how they came about?
JP: I’m not going to reveal too much of the future EPs as they are still being developed and I don’t want to give too much away, but each EP does have its own central motif. The motif of the first one is the ‘flower’ as it represents the maturation and growth I have gone through to develop the more mature sound present in my music. Each song off Reflections, Vol. I is related to this maturation.
In ‘Won’t Be Young’, I acknowledge the fact that I wasn’t happy with where I was but I know where I need to go, and I know it’s going to take me a while to get there. In ‘Reflections’, I confront the idea of regret and moving on from past mistakes that held me back mentally and emotionally. And lastly, in ‘State of Mind’, I come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t happy with where I was in life, and I only have one opportunity in this life to pursue my true passion.
OSR: What was the most challenging part of writing your latest album?
JP: The most challenging part was finding the right sound for each song. They are all connected, but they are all unique in their sound, message, and mood. During the production period, I spent quite a bit of time playing around with the guitar textures and atmospheric background sounds. It was a lot of fun to write!
OSR: If you could have a fantasy gig where you choose the line-up with one local and one international band, who would you choose and why?
JP: My fantasy gig would be myself playing alongside Ed Sheeran and John Mayer. Both of them have been influential in my own songwriting style, and I love the stage performance that both of them give. I have yet to see either of them at a live show but playing with them onstage would top that!
OSR: As much as we’d like it to be, the music industry is not all glitz and glamour. What is the most sobering experience you’ve had in your time as a musician?
JP: The constant work it takes to build a music career has been an ongoing realisation. It always seems like new artists are breaking through ‘overnight’, when in fact years and years of work and planning have gone into their careers. Bands and solo artists alike take a lot of time to develop their brand and their own unique sound, let alone a strong fanbase. Once you learn to love the work though, it’s no sweat.
OSR: If you could choose between a weekend at Disneyland or a weekend of Netflix and pizza, which would you choose and why?
JP: A weekend of Netflix and pizza because the couch doesn’t have any long lines.
OSR: Who inspires you to continue writing music?
JP: My fans are a big part of my motivation to continue writing. I’ve always had a bug to write, though. Ever since I was young, writing lyrics has helped me cope with my emotions and helped me understand how I feel. Whenever I am going through a hard time, I turn to writing and music to cope. If you read through my lyrics, you can typically tell what I’m struggling with at the time of each song!
OSR: What is your heart’s deepest desire?
JP: My deepest desire is to gain the recognition and respect within the music industry I want. I’ve always loved writing and looked up to very influential musicians and songwriters. I aspire to be in the same league as many of the legends of today and be able to call them my peers.
OSR: And that’s it! Thanks so much for your time, Jon. All of us at The Other Side Reviews wish you the best of luck with your Reflections series and look forward to hearing them!
JP: Thank you, I really appreciate the support!
Thanks to Jon for taking the time out to speak with us! To enjoy more of Jon’s awesomeness, you can engage with him via his Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
