Having travelled and lived in different corners of the world from Scandinavia to Brazil to Africa, Patrick Stefan’s inspiration for his songs come from a colourful background of experience.
It includes learning tribal songs in Mali, jazz guitar in Boston, folk singing in Helsinki and drumming in north Brazil, while his sound has been compared to everyone from Paul Simon to Jose Gonzalez, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake, James Blake, Milton Nascimento and Peter Broderick.
The Clare-born, Dublin-based musician will release his debut album ‘Wayfare’ on September 23rd, so we caught up with him to learn more.
1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
Nina Simone and Nick Drake.
2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
'Tired and emotional'.
3. How do you wind down after a gig?
Driving home, blaring a podcast hosted by over-enthusiastic Americans.
4. What’s the one song (by another artist) you wish you’d written or recorded first?
‘Re: stacks’ by Bon Iver.
5. What is your pet peeve?
People who cross roads diagonally, and inflation.
6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Record: ‘Welcome Here Kind Stranger’ by Paul Brady is instant goosebumps.
Book: ‘The Power of Vulnerability’ by Brene Brown - okay, technically an audiobook… but too important to leave out!
Film: ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ by Céline Sciamma is the most beautifully shot film; it looks like an oil painting.
7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
For some reason I just can't shake the combo of Greta Gerwig and James Nesbitt.
8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Easy! Saag Paneer, dhal and rice, and those crispy Indian starters. Poppadums? Yum.
9. Describe your perfect day off.
Jazz records playing loudly, journaling, coffee, a long walk and home for an obscure subtitled movie.
10. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your next gig.
People tell me my music makes them feel calm and grounded, which I love - because for me, all live music is like a tonic. So come along and ground yerselves!
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'Wayfare' is released on September 23rd, while new single 'Drinking Alone in the Moonlight' is out now.
