Kendall Patrick

There is a searing honesty in the words and music created by Kendall Patrick. The heartache, the frustration, the pain, the loss the sadness, but also the unbridled joy and optimism, love and desire – all is laid bare in the songs created over the years by the Vancouver Island-based singer songwriter.

Years of struggling with addictions, with complicated family and relationship dynamics and the vagaries of a music business that is known to be less than kind to up-and-coming artists, especially those with the sort of remarkable sensitivity and emotional depth of Patrick, has been a truly defining crucible for her as songwriter and as a human being.

But she has come through it all stronger and more determined than ever to be creative and to make music that continues to inspire alongside her band The Headless Bettys.

The five songs slated to be included on the Peaks and Valleys EP are culled from her best work over the past few years, and are revelatory in the way they can evoke both inspiration and empathy.

“The title track is a newer song and it’s kind of self-explanatory but it’s not so much about my life as it is about long-term relationships. My producer and I were sitting down to explore this concept. At the time we were both in relationship I had been in mine for a couple of years and he was married. And we were talking about all the fears and anxieties and expectations and how do you stick it out? But I also realized it could be a metaphor for a lot of things in life. How do you stick it out and endure the peaks and valleys? It’s really an exploration of commitment in that song and it kind of represents the theme of the EP. It does speak of long-term love, but it could be about anything. It could be about my music – I could be singing it to myself,” said Patrick, adding that the song All Those Years is in a similar vein.

“It’s about how my parents were together when they were young but it didn’t work out because my dad’s lifestyle at the time wasn’t good. So they had to break up. My mom was heartbroken but she ended up marrying someone else who was no good, but she did have my brothers out of that marriage. And it was probably 10 years after they first broke up, she heard my dad had just broken off an engagement and that he had been sober for about six years and she decided to call him.

“She was in Alberta and he was in BC and she just called directory assistance and the first number they gave her for that name was the right one. His response was, ‘I have been looking for you for 10 years.’ And before you knew it, he flew over, they got married and they had me. The rest is history. I just think that’s so cool.”

Since the beginning of 2016, again using the crucible analogy, Patrick has been burning her life down to its core essence and shedding many things that were once deemed to be important in her life. And it wasn’t done spitefully or because she no longer enjoyed them, but because she came to the conclusion, after much contemplation, soul seeking and consulting the opinions of those whose wisdom and experience was treasured, that she needed to focus 100 per cent of her time, energy, passion and talent on music.

“Before that decision was reached I had gone through hell and I needed I make some radical life changes. I ended my eight-year career in child care; I broke up with my long-term partner, which was a pretty tough thing because we were a very good team. I had a friend of mine who lived in my basement; he died of a fentanyl overdose in our home and I was the one to find him. I was also struggling so much with my anxiety and depression that I wasn’t really able to function that much,” she said.

“Over the last few months I was transitioning from struggling with anxiety and depression and panic attacks, medication and hospitals and that, to a place where I was asking ‘what needs to change?’ And with support of some key people it feels amazing to not have given up because it was so dark there for a while. And I did not see the light. I did not know how I was going to get through that. Minute by minute it was so excruciating. But now it feels like I am not even the same person. Now I know I can get through anything.”

She found after consulting a highly-recommended life coach where there were intense sessions of self-examination and where her prevailing views were challenged, she realized she needed to refocus her mind, her passions and her energy exclusively on music. Patrick began teaching at a music store and developing a relationship where she was being mentored by B.C music industry heavyweight Bob D’Eith and is challenging herself to be more collaborative and take more creative risks.

“One thing I know is that since I have started going down this path I have not had problems with my anxiety and depression. I have felt stronger, more focused and more fulfilled than I have in a very, very long time. I am taking all aspects of my career and especially my music more seriously and more professionally. I took a huge leap of faith and it’s really paying off,” she said.

“And working with Bob has been a real game changer because we made a plan. He is on my side and helping me a ton by contacting all these music supervisors to help me with licencing. He helped me put together a FACTOR application and helped me work out a marketing plan. So I know I am doing the right thing and I completely trust in the decisions I have made.”

One of those decisions was to crowd-fund for the creation of the Peaks and Valleys EP through Pledge Music, looking to raise $5,000 in 60 days. Within a few days she was already close to 25 per cent of her way to the final tally.

“I have some pretty cool things that people can get, including me writing a song for someone, private house concerts, special custom merchandise. It’s such a cool way to interact with people and also a unique way to see if there is demand for my music. So I am pretty excited,” she said.

For more information on Kendall Patrick’s PledgeMusic campaign, visit http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kendallpatrick.

For more information on Patrick, visit her website: http://www.kendallpatrick.com. - Jim Barber, Music Life Magazine

Kendall Patrick isn’t interested in bubblegum pop -- her songs have heart.

Listeners hear her sorrow and hope. They are privy to the triumphs and troubles of her life.

“This is something in the world that can make me feel this intensity – this intensity of joy,” said Patrick about creating music. “I want to connect with people and share joy -- emotion. That’s my passion for living and evolving.”

Patrick said she wants to affect people with her lyrics the same way some of her favourite artists affect her.

“I remember always being really moved by music. It made me feel better than anything made me feel,” said Patrick. “My favourite artists are folk artists because they are so vulnerable.”

Patrick creates songs from her personal experiences. The process is therapeutic.

“I always try to pull some growth out of it, so it’s not a stagnant pool of emotion,” she said.

Challenging preconceived notions and conventional thinking adds teeth to her music.

Over the past 10 years, the Ladysmith-born artist has worked to establish her name as a musician.

“I used to think it should happen so quickly,” said Patrick.

She moved to Nanaimo several years ago to expand her musical opportunities.

Early in her career, Patrick wrote the song Girl Rant, which examined how media and pop culture affects the lives of girls.

It garnered national attention and she became part of Operation Empowerment, which allowed her to perform the song in high schools across the nation.

Girl Rant also came to the attention of the Oprah Winfrey Show, and although it never aired, it motivated Patrick to work harder.

She had the opportunity to perform the song at the International Media Literacy Conference in Detroit and it was featured on her 2007 album House of Ink.

Earlier this year, she made the decision to put everything on the line. Patrick quit her job as a child care worker and is now dedicating all her efforts to music.

“You actually have to take those risks. It’s just like stepping off a cliff and free falling,” said Patrick. “I don’t want to give up. I don’t want to stop growing.”

Patrick wants to be filling venues with a capacity of about 500 people. She has previously toured Canada and the United States, but she played smaller venues. She performed with her band the Headless Bettys, but they have since parted ways.

To make the transition, Patrick enlisted the help of Bob D’Eith, music director of Music B.C. and a music and media lawyer who was also involved in the Peak Performance Project.

He mentored her and helped her identify the steps needed to boost her profile, including creating a professional live performance video.

She filmed the music video at the Vault Café, with the help of filmmaker Raymond Knight.

She is currently in the process of releasing the EP Peaks and Valleys, and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to complete the project.

For more information please go to www.kendallpatrick.com. - Rachel Stern, Nanaimo News Bulletin

Kendall Patrick of Vancouver Island is the feature up-and-coming singer-songwriter in our latest coffeehouse musician profile. She will be performing at the live music event of Friday, August 26 at Trees Organic Coffee & Roasting House (Granville Street).

Bringing more melodious pride to the West Coast, Kendall Patrick is making musical waves in folk music with her moving lyrics, raw talent and genuine passion for life and music. Kendall has always been involved in music, classically training in piano throughout her childhood, but it wasn’t until her teen years that she truly discovered her musical talent and adoration for the craft. She began performing fourteen years ago, when she was in ninth grade and hasn’t stopped since, having written many songs, released four albums and performed in various coffee shops, venues and festivals. Kendall is now taking a massive step in her music career and has committed all of her time and herself to it. She is currently re-establishing herself as a solo artist and is incredibly excited about releasing her new EP soon!

To Kendall, music has a much greater purpose than serving as pure entertainment or a personal ego boost; she believes that music provides inspiration and a voice for a cause, a message, and for those in need of support; a source of empathy and humanity. She often finds musical inspiration through what is happening in the world and continues to pursue such topics in other areas of her life such as in her Operation Empowerment, a project that discusses media literacy and self-esteem with children and teens. Kendall loves to surround herself in her craft and, when not performing or writing music, she finds happiness in teaching music at Arbutus Music. Thank you for the music, Kendall!

IN CONVERSATION WITH KENDALL PATRICK
TO. What do you enjoy most about playing as a solo artist? What caused you to pursue your solo career, opposed to remaining in a band?

Kendall. I would have loved to continue on as “Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys”, but the Bettys have begun to disperse into their own universes. The Bettys have had a great run over the past 4 years but it’s time for all of us to refocus on our own paths. As I take the next stride in my career, I am re-establishing myself as a solo artist to keep the focus strong and clear. When I play solo I am challenged to bring the audience into an intimate moment with me as the performer but also as the songwriter. Instruments can sometimes drown out the words, which to me are the most important aspects of the songs. Being able to control dynamics and delivery gives me the chance to make a direct connection with the people listening, and really let them in on what I’m singing about. The messages in the songs are the heart and soul of listener/artist connection, and that intimacy is what I love the most about playing solo.

TO. What inspires you to write your music? Is there one topic or message that you tend to gravitate towards when writing? Causes, social issues, personal?

Kendall. The thing I love about my favourite artists like Brett Dennen, Ani Difranco, and Shane Koyczan, is that they bring humanity to whatever topic inspires their song. It may be inspired by an oil spill, someone’s death, political scandal, a natural disaster, or a relationship. But the message I get is always “how do I process this as an emotional being? How do I work through all of this hardship and come out the other side without hardness and bitterness? How do I validate my experience, and transcend it? I suppose that is why I have ended up doing the same thing with my own writing. Every song I write is an expression of me trying to evolve. Trying to accept. Trying to let go. Trying to persevere. Trying to tell somebody something. And the higher purpose is to have that process be related to by somebody out there who’s going through the same thing. Sometimes all it takes is to hear your own heart in a song someone else wrote to get that charge you need to make to through. Life is short, but it’s also long, and we need as much cheering on as we can get to pick ourselves off of the floor, again and again. That’s what inspires me to write.

TO. If there was one specific thing that you could change or achieve with the power of your music, what would it be?

Kendall. I would want the kind of impact that music by my idols have had on me – therapeutic, healing, transformative. Ever since I started writing songs, I have had a need to incorporate a message of growth, no matter how heavy the topic was. I never wanted to leave the listener in a state of hopelessness. That’s not what my songs are for. I write them to give my experiences and feelings some attention by describing them to the best of my ability, and then transcending them so they have a purpose, not just a place to commiserate. For example, in “Heaven” by Brett Dennen, he writes, “the failure keeps you humble, and brings you closer to peace”. That for me was huge in helping me to have a great respect for what I perceived as failure. He showed me it’s not at all a bad thing, but something that actually teaches me and gives me dignity. This means the difference between feeling like giving up, and honouring the difficult experiences for the opportunities they are. This is the kind of love and encouragement I need to evolve as a person, and when we wish the world wasn’t in such disarray we have to think, “I am the change I want to see in the world”. So this chain reaction of inspiration is individual but it’s also so very global. If my music can contribute to that greater consciousness, I’ll have done my job.

TO. Where do you hope to end up in the next 5 or so years in regards to your music career?

Kendall. First of all I love the wording on this question. I can’t “hope” in this business. I have to do. It’s about concrete goals and action, and in that I might be lucky enough to “end up” in some “right time/right place” situations. Chances are slim to none that I will end up anywhere on hope alone. I have spent too much time doing too little and I’m committed to working for as long as it takes to fulfill the goal of… OK and here comes my “goal rhyme”: To go from cafes to soft seaters. A little pub to a bigger theatre. From CHLY Nanaimo radio to CBC on a National stereo. To get from here to there. To climb a few more stairs. From touring a little to touring a lot.” To giving more of what I’ve got.

TO. What would you think of welcoming extreme fame should it happen? Would you rather remain a more independent artist?

Kendall. Extreme fame would be welcomed, however I’m not reaching for that. My style tends to bend more towards a folk/singer songwriter genre rather than pop, so focusing on college radio and film/TV licensing, especially at this point in my career, makes more sense. However, commercial radio has opened its genre doors towards a poppy echelon of folk with bands like Mumford and Sons and the Lumineers, so it’s not at all out of the question. It would be a blessing to have reached so many people through music, and it would in turn afford me a wider opportunity to continue writing, recording, and touring.

TO. What was your most personally fulfilling and inspiring musical moment? Like the first time you sang at a venue and everyone knew all of the lyrics to one of your songs for example.

Kendall. There have been so many amazing moments throughout the years. Recently, I will say that one moment that sticks out for me is when I played a new song of mine called “The Wanderer” at a show this past July. The moment was made by a combination of the power of the lyrics and my ability that night to fall into the emotion of the song and really deliver the message. Afterwards I had multiple people approach me and share that it had moved them, that it brought them to tears, and they wanted me to record it so they could listen to it on repeat. I know that feeling. I have felt that kind of connection to a song so many times in my life and it’s how I know that music is the great connection I have with life because nothing else can move me and make me feel alive the way that music does. To have been able to transmit that experience through my own song to someone else is astounding to me. I feel so in awe of the chain of transformation between millions of people through the power of music, and any moment that reminds me of that qualifies to be fulfilling and inspiring. - Trees Organic Coffee

This singer and songwriter from Ladysmith, BC will be an inspiration for all. Kendall Patrick is a wonderful musician, who brings poetry into her songs and uses passion to write them and guide her career.

What has been the biggest inspiration for you as a writer?

KP: Ani Difranco, Brett Dennen, and Shane Koyczan are artists that write in such a way that I feel they are speaking right to me – encouraging me to be brave, to love myself, to have compassion, and to care about the world – and they do this by being honest in their responses to their life, always with a silver lining of empowerment and hope. Their effect on my life on every level has been profound. I am ever grateful to these mentors who are able to affect massive positive change in people by telling the stories of how they faced life head on so we can face life head on. Thanks to this experience, I feel INSPIRED to give my audience encouragement to be brave, to love themselves, to have compassion, and to care about the world through the personal honesty in my lyrics.

Your website says that you believe art should “serve a purpose bigger than the ego and influence of the artist who creates it”. What do you mean by that? How do you think it’s affected the way you create music?

KP: That is a summation written by the very fine gentleman that wrote my bio after a very candid phone interview we had. I believe what he was referring to was along the lines of what I described in the first question. As artists with audiences, we have the power of influence. It’s important to reflect on the motives for which we release our art, as everything has a cause and effect. Am I spewing myself out into the public so I can get attention and feel good about myself? Or do I have a message? Am I considering the people who are on the other end of my art? What does this really mean to me, and what could it mean to the world? Not that we have control over how it ends up being received, but the reflection can make the art better, can make the delivery better, and can help the artist grow by getting more real with themselves. I say this because, honestly, what is the point of the over sexualized pop culture robots getting spit out all over TV, radio and magazines over and over and over. The artists who are in those roles, I wonder, if they care about the messages they are sending to youth. I wonder if they feel bad for using their amazing god given talent for the big machine. Throwing it away, and contributing to the struggling self esteem issues that dog every woman and man in this culture.

Disclaimer: I don’t think art should be anything. Art is personal and precious to the individual. I do however try to serve a greater purpose with my own art as a response to the things in the world that I believe are detrimental to peace.

Does this mean you are not influenced by any artists, or their influence is not shown through your music?

KP: No way. Honestly I’m a little unsure what “influence of the artist who creates it” means. I think that first line in my bio is gonna need a rewrite. I’ve wracked my brain for two days trying to figure out how to answer this question. I can’t.

What advice would you have to young Canadians trying to make it into music?

KP: Never give up. Read “A Career in Music; The Other 12 Step Program” by Bob D’Eith. Apply for festivals like Indie Week Canada, Canadian Music Week, NXNW, Break Out West, etc. Respect your fans. Educate yourself in marketing. Build a team to help you. Stay open to feedback. Meet your Canadian musician family. Believe in yourself more than anyone else believes in you.

You have done work with young girls and in schools. What has that experience been like? Do you think you will do something like that again?

KP: I have a project called Operation Empowerment, which surfaces and resurfaces over the years. It will surely come to life again although concrete plans have not yet been made. Operation Empowerment is an opportunity for me to get together with a group of kids (usually between grade 7 and 12 girls and boys…but particularly girls) and introduce the concept of media literacy. It is an interactive discussion facilitated by some story telling of my own experience being affected by media influence, a live performance of the Girl Rant, and question/answers. There is nothing more invigorating than helping others. Operation Empowerment provides an experience where the sharing of my music and messages is enhanced because it’s blatant activism and garners a strong bond with audience because of the personal nature of media literacy. It hits home hard for everyone who is open to looking at how self-esteem is a struggle, and how we are led very astray by our media when looking for answers in the fog of growing up and trying to find our place in the world. The value of these presentations feels more apparent because it is so direct, as opposed to playing a show and hoping people are hearing the lyrics and hoping they are relating to it in their own way.

How would you describe your sound to new listeners?

KP: This is one of the hardest questions. The first thing that comes to mind is “not difficult to hear”. There is a lot of music out there that I wince at within the first 10 seconds. I don’t believe my music has that effect. It may be lyrically inclined to fall into a “niche” category but musically it’s pretty easy to receive no matter what your age or taste. I’m a sucker for pop and catchy melodies, sounds that invite the heart to feel, the ears to listen, and often the feet to dance. Not too easy but not too complicated. If there is an adjective that sums up what I just said, could someone let me know?

As usual we like to add in a few fun questions for the fans.

If you could do a tour with 3 other Canadian band/artists, who would it be?

KP: The Franklin Electric. Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long, Tegan and Sara

What would be the one song you would listen to if you had to listen to only one song for the rest of your life?

KP: Old Piano by The Franklin Electric.

What’s next for you?

KP: My hope is that I will receive a recording grant so that I can get busy and record my next album. I’m rearing to get in the studio and get out on the road. I’ve fumbled my way through recording and touring up until now and I believe my next stab at things will be a lot different because of how much I’ve learned. My team has grown and I have more to work with, so it’s exciting to venture out with a bigger set of tools and see how far we can get. What I do know for sure is that in June I’ll be participating at a songwriter’s retreat in Louisiana with my long time idol, Ani DiFranco. This is sure to be another life changing/career changing adventure.

And, like always, anything you’d like to say to the fans?

KP: My gratitude to you for supporting the journey is unspeakable. What I have most appreciated from my favorite artists other than their music is their interactive engagement with their fans, and so I will do this with you too. Blogging, vlogging, social media, etc. - Jordyn Meade-Baxter

From Vancouver Island, Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys are a multi-instrumental band that plays country, folk, and pop. They have produced a couple of singles and 2 EPs, including 2012’s The Other Side. For Canadian music fans, think music akin to The Rankin Family. The videos on their website are a bit quirky, including this little folk tune, “Cannonball”. - Ben Yung

I am a human who is affected by my culture, the media, my own personal traumas, relationships, addiction and recovery, the mistreatment of animals, the warzone of the food industry, the music industry and the magic of love.”
It’s a breath of fresh air, in today’s industry, to come across a musician who has made a name for themselves purely based on their talent. Canadian singer Kendall Patrick is not only a natural vocalist, pianist and guitarist but she has a gift for songwriting that many artists can only dream about. She has toured throughout Canada and the United States, performing at music festivals, conferences, coffee shops and schools, captivating her audiences with her raw live performances.
Not only has Kendall Patrick touched so many with her music but she has also become a strong voice for youth in regards to media saturation in this culture with Operation Empowerment( http://www.kendallpatrick.com/operation-empowerment).
I spoke to the singer/songwriter via e-mail about her musical inspirations, her career accomplishments and what advice she has for up and coming artists.
CONFRONT: Was a career in music what you always wanted to do? If so, when did you begin immersing yourself in the industry? If not, what was your first choice?
KENDALL PATRICK: My little girl dream was to be a “famous singer”. That was undeniably the strongest dream in my heart, and apparent long before I had any awareness of musical talent beyond being a good piano student. I was delighted to discover that I actually had a special ability when I started writing songs. From about grade 9 until just after high school, I wrote over 100 songs and used that non-professional stage of my life to develop my craft. After a semester of University doing general studies, and feeling my spirit being sucked out of my body, I was eventually led to the realization that I should take something I was actually passionate about. I had little comprehension for Jazz at that time, so school itself was difficult and uncomfortable. But I became part of a musical community that made music as a career look like something normal and realistic to commit to. I realized I had enough tools at that point (an album, a band, Operation Empowerment) to begin “immersing myself in the industry”. And so I did. Slowly but surely.
CONFRONT: Your gift for song writing is said to be unmatched, do you have a specific process for writing your music (certain time/place etc) or is it sporadic?
KENDALL PATRICK: I have created ritualistic time/place songwriting sanctuaries that come and go over the years but often it is sporadic. The most time tested location is in my car near some body of water and usually at night. I have songwriting cycles, where I will write up to about 10 songs over a few months and then nothing happens for another few months. Sometimes even longer. This last stretch has been unnerving, as I haven’t written since December.
CONFRONT: Is there something/someone you draw the most inspiration from in your songwriting?
KENDALL PATRICK: I am a human who is affected by my culture, the media, my own personal traumas, relationships, addiction and recovery, the mistreatment of animals, the warzone of the food industry, the music industry and the magic of love. Anything that lends insight to my pursuit of peace as I move through my responses to this world is inspiring to me. Main influences: AniDifranco and Brett Dennen.
CONFRONT: Name one moment in your career so far that stands out the most and one thing you’d still love to accomplish.
KENDALL PATRICK: Booking and going on tour in the States was the best thing I have ever done in my career. I say this because it required the greatest amount of initiative I have ever needed to conjure up. I faced numerous fears and everything I did, I had never done before. I learned a lot and gained an irrevocable confidence in myself as a professional artist and more importantly as an individual.
I also feel that my Operation Empowerment days are to be mentioned because of the outstanding value they had for many others, and the reach it had. It had the feel of a mini revolution. The recognition The Girl Rant got from the Oprah Winfrey show was a crucial turning point in my life and in the life of Operation Empowerment
I have yet to have my music placed in a film or television show. That is a goal I have been thinking about for a few years now.
CONFRONT: You balance a solo career as well as one with a band, have you found this to be a challenge or has it come naturally to you? How would you describe performing alone on stage versus with a band?
KENDALL PATRICK: Being in a band is like being in a family. It is completely involved and despite the many complications and obstacles that arise from working with a group of people, it returns a far greater reward than the solo experience, particularly on stage. That being said, the energy is split between all the members, so when I play solo, I pull more strength from myself to command the show because I have to. It can be rejuvenating to remember that engaging an audience with my personality through banter and song is actually my true strength. …. (but playing in a band is so fun!)
CONFRONT: If someone were to attend your show for the very first time, how would you describe it to them beforehand?
If you have come to see Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys, prepare for a candid combination of performance and conversation. Humorous banter tends to weave naturally between songs that will likely have you connecting emotionally with the lyrics, regardless of the tempo. More upbeat than not, the energy of the songs and the band will have you tapping your toes and sometimes singing along. You’re likely to leave feeling empowered and invigorated.
CONFRONT: You’re very active on Facebook, Twitter and regularly record VLOGS, how important is it for you to stay connected with your fans through social media?
KENDALL PATRICK: Feeling connected to your favourite artists enhances the experience of being a fan, and social media is your link to them. Posting videos, pictures, and updates regularly can keep fans involved in between shows and keeps them coming back for more. I have spent countless hours watching vlogs by Hanson and Brett Dennen. As a result, I feel like I know them as well as I know my close friends. Their meaning to me has deepened because of the time I’ve been able to “spend with them”. I feel so grateful for that and I want to give the same to my own fans.
CONFRONT: What advice would you give to up and coming independent musicians?
KENDALL PATRICK: Follow your heart, take risks, be authentic, never give up.
CONFRONT: If you could collaborate with any musician alive or dead who would you choose and why?
KENDALL PATRICK: Brett Dennen. I can sing harmony to every one of his songs. It would be easy. And then I would get to meet him and thank him for making my life amazing.
CONFRONT: We have a section on our website that features music suggestions from artists. Which three songs/albums or artist are currently on repeat on your playlist?
KENDALL PATRICK: Brett Dennen – Hope for the Hopeless. Brett Dennen – Loverboy. Brett Dennen – Brett Dennen.
CONFRONT: What can fans expect next?
KENDALL PATRICK: I need to record a new album to keep up with new songs, and with that will come new music videos. I’ve been going through a lot of changes over the last year, and I suspect something unexpected will be emerging soon. But I myself cannot put my finger on it yet. We’ll have to see! - Jenia Schukov

Peaks and Valleys by Kendall Patrick advertises itself as an honest record. If you are expecting something raw and abrasive then you will be disappointed. This doesn’t mean it’s not good. It’s really, REALLY good! It’s just that it masks its pain and autobiographical nature behind catchy melodies and instantaneous likability. Listening to it is much like making friends with a truly kindhearted person, only to discover that they are as damaged as you are. In other words, this is pop music with a throbbing, beating heart.

Patrick has a voice that is made for radio, but there is something so down to earth about her delivery. You never sense that she is a diva or untouchable. Her approachability pulls you in, even if this kind of music isn’t your thing. I have no idea why, but she kind of reminds me of Shania Twain. Maybe it’s because she is also Canadian, but I think it’s more that she can expertly sell even the cheesier aspects of pop music. Sure “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” is a bit ridiculous, but if that song doesn’t make you even a little bit happy then you are a lying bastard!

Make no mistake, these ARE simple songs, but who says that is a bad thing? What separates a songwriter of Kendall Patrick’s caliber from someone as putrid and vomit inducing as Justin Bieber is her personal and emotionally complex lyrics. The song “Peaks and Valleys” addresses the anxiety and doubts that anyone in a long-term relationship can relate to. Songwriters often make the mistake of treating love as very black and white. Patrick knows that the best love songs are ones that play with its finer intricacies.

“Breaking Ground” sees Patrick coming to terms with her depression, anxiety, and musical aspirations. As an adult who has also dealt with similar demons, I can definitely appreciate an artist like her bringing more awareness towards mental illness. It’s empowering to know that just because someone can write bright and sunny refrains, doesn’t mean they haven’t been through hell and back. All this is to say that Patrick doesn’t settle on your typical, overdone tropes like girl-loves-boy ballads or club bangers that celebrate living a shallow existence.

For me the classic of the album is “Cannonball.” You could certainly accuse it of being a bit cutesy, but goddamn that melody is awesome! It’s the kind of melody that makes you feel like you’ve known it your whole life. It’s wholesome without being cloying, and precious without ever being obnoxious. It celebrates the little things that we love about a person. In this case, the way he or she burns their toast and lets their Italian slip.

“Grocery Store Parking Lot” isn’t as successful. It’s not that it’s awful, it’s just unnecessary especially considering how strong Patrick’s singing is. In general, though, spoken word tracks on a six track EP are never a good idea.But that two-minute experiment should not stop your overall enjoyment of this record. In all honesty, not much will.

I can be skeptical towards songwriters with pop inclinations, which almost led me to write this off. I was wrong. So VERY wrong! This is the way they used to make pop music. Accessible, but also bubbling with vulnerability, which is as it should be. - Bucketlist Music Review

By Arts Editor Cheryl Folland

It only takes one listen to hear the depth of life experience and heartache in Kendall Patrick’s lyrics. A Nanaimo native, Patrick can be found most evenings working at The Vault Cafe. In this supportive community, with it’s creation-stimulating aesthetic, her strength as a poet and musician is well received and proclaimed.

The sound pours out with a sultry soul-soothing vibe felt in the core of listeners. Patrick creates original folk melodies to tell her story with humble artistry.

“The first time I played a song, that I wrote and performed for anyone, was in grade nine,” she says. Since then, she’s grown into her voice—both musical and lyrical.

This year, she released her EP Peaks and Valleys, which “Patrick believes is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is yet to come,” says Paula Danylevich of HYPE Music. Patrick gained “newfound confidence in her own voice and in allowing herself to be open to work with other collaborators.”

Her lyrical poetry is applicable to a vast dichotomy of relationship dynamics. Love is treated as both an action and an experience in the lyrics of Cannonball.

“When you miss your folks

When you burn my toast

When you make bad jokes, I will love you the most”

The official music video can be found on Kendall’s YouTube page @kendallexe. - The Navigator Newspaper

First of all, for our readers who may not be familiar with you, would you mind telling them a bit about yourself?

Ever since I wrote my first song, a floodgate opened up that hasn’t ever ceased. From my early teen years until now, freshly 30 (oh my god!) I’ve been swimming in a sea of songs. It was clear to me that this was the thing I was supposed to be doing with my life, and so I’ve just followed that, refining it little by little every year. After recording a number of albums, touring, and doing all that musician stuff, I made another tweak to my life in 2016 to give music an even greater focus. I decided to eliminate all the non-music-related jobs I was doing and invite a music-only lifestyle so that I could say to my vague aspirations, “I’m here…100% available to you.” I let go of some pretty heavy and long-held time spent in childcare, doing music on the side, and built a new structure that is completely music-centred. It was only fear that kept me from doing that in the past, and with some time off work last year to reflect, I realized, my fear was just a mental construct, and I could just as easily create a new one made of faith. So I never went back to work, and now I’m literally living the life of my dreams. It’s a perfect and celebratory time to be releasing “Peaks and Valleys”.

How long have you been working on ‘Peaks and Valleys’?

Peaks and Valleys was the longest recording process I’ve ever done. It took about 2 years from start to finish We were all pretty relaxed about the timeline because we didn’t have any deadlines imposed on us and we wanted to get it right. Paul and I spent some time choosing songs, co-writing, and arranging before we started rehearsing with the band. Once we were rehearsed we then had to deal with the logistics of all 5 members coming into the studio separately. We’re all really busy and especially with vocals, it was smarter to do a number of shorter sessions rather than full days in order to avoid vocal burn out. In the end the album turned out just how I envisioned it. The title of the album turned out to represent the recording process as well as the theme of the songs!

What was it like working with others to write the tracks instead of doing it by yourself, as you had previously done?

I started co-writing at the encouragement of some industry mentors. The first few times were really awkward. Looking back that was probably because I’d never met the other writers before. When Paul and I started writing together it was a completely different experience. We had been playing together in my band for the past year and we already had a mutual respect for each other’s artistry. In fact, Paul is one of my all time top favourite singer/songwriters. Our style and taste is really compatible, and we’ve got different strengths that when married make some pretty exciting stuff.

Do you think you’ll write with others on future projects after your experience?

Absolutely. Now that I’ve had the experience of collaboration being successful and exciting, I feel like I have a new tool opened up to me. When I get stuck on a song, I know I can reach out to another songwriter for ideas. With “All Those Years”, for example (the 6th track on the album), I wrote the chorus first and then sent it to Paul. He came over and with his more intimate knowledge of chord progressions, wrote a beautiful verse. It’s not one that I would have been able to write but it fit really well with the chorus. It gave me a taste of what others can bring to ideas that I’ve started. It also creates a bonding experience being able to share the credit for a song. Kind of like how parents must feel about creating a child together!

Who are some of your musical inspirations and influences that are present on the EP?

Ani Difranco influenced my work in spoken word which is featured on my first album. I haven’t brought it back until Peaks and Valleys. Her lyricism continuously inspires mine in all my songs so she’s in there in the other tracks as well. Breaking Ground is actually partly about Brett Dennen. It’s an homage to the ways he’s inspired me as a person and an artist. He inspired me to let go of what was holding me back and take the big leaps necessary to chase my dreams. “When I found you I changed. I rearranged the whole shebang.” “It’s just something in the way that your voice sounds; I feel found. I will follow it all the way down the coast; breaking ground.”

What are some of the things that inspired these songs?

Peaks and Valleys is an exploration of commitment. I was feeling anxious about it and Paul admits he’s loyal to a fault, so it was an interesting blend of both perspectives. All Those Years is the story of my parent’s relationship, highlighting how they split up for ten years before getting back together and getting married. I won’t spoil the story but I always loved hearing my mom tell it me and thought it deserved a dedication. “You Remind Me of Falling Rain” is about the uncomfortable vulnerability of having feelings for someone and wanting to stay behind the walls that keep us from being in the line of fire of rejection. “Grocery Store Parking Lot” is the spoken word piece that I wrote when our trumpet player Amelia left for an indefinite hiatus to travel. It fits in nicely with “Breaking Ground” which is about when I was in Amelia’s position and stood in that bittersweet place of both letting go, and excitement for the future.

What can your fans expect from your upcoming shows?

I’ll be doing a lot of solo or duo shows, so rather than a full band sound it’ll be stripped down. As much as I love playing with the band, there are a lot of perks to playing solo. I put a lot of detail into my playing and craft my lyrics really intentionally and thought out, so it gives these dynamics a chance to come through without getting drowned out by a big sound around me. I hope audiences will resonate with the songs, feel moved, and have a good laugh with me (I love banter).

What’s coming up next for you?

I’ll be doing my best to give “Peaks and Valleys” a good life by playing a lot of live shows, getting radio play on college and CBC stations, and making videos. I’d also really like to not wait more than two years to release the next album. I’ve got so many songs and I write a lot so if I don’t keep a certain momentum of releasing content I feel clogged up. It’s just a matter of finances, which is always a challenge. But if Peaks and Valleys is received well, it will help to garner the support to keep moving.

Here at Canadian Beats we like to ask a few fun questions so your listeners and our readers can get to know you a bit better:

What’s something you do to get through the last few remaining weeks of winter?

Aside from lots of baths and cuddling with my dog, I stay warm on the inside by keeping up with a jam packed musical lifestyle. I work at an awesome music venue where I do sound and door for shows, and participate in our weekly open mic. After work, I usually go to the studio and either write or do online broadcasts through pocketlive.tv. Pocketlive is cool because anyone can tune in live or watch a replay of my channel “Songwriter’s Living Room”, where I have guest artists and we talk about art and music and perform for the viewers. And it’s always done in the warmth of a house or studio!

Are there any Canadian bands or artists you’d recommend to your fans?

Since working at a local music venue, I’ve heard a lot of acts that tour through our town. Some of my favourites are: The Blue Moon Marquee (British Columbia, Gypsy Blues), Richard Inman (Manitoba, country/folk), Old Man Luedecke (Nova Scotia, folk).

What song can’t you get enough of lately?

Hypersleep by Top Men (amazing band in my town – self identified as gentlemen’s techno)

If you could plan a tour with any artists or bands you’d want, who would be on the bill?

Brett Dennen and Ani Difranco. Hands Down!

Where would you go on your dream vacation and what would you do?

I’d like to go anywhere that’s culture is radically different than here. I suspect the west has conditioned me to hyper-PC, likely individualistic to a fault, and to take a lot for granted. I want to be exposed to a life that’s going to challenge everything I think I know. To quote Ani Difranco, “You’ve got to look outside your eyes. You’ve got to think outside your brain. You’ve got to walk outside your life to where the neighbourhood changes.”

And finally, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

Come to a show and give me a hug! - Canadian Beats

Kendall Patrick of Ladysmith, BC explores the Peaks and Valleys of life on her exquisite new singer-songwriter disc. - Canadian Music Blog

Album: Peaks and Valleys
Release Date: March 3rd 2017
Download
Genre: Folk/Pop

Ladysmith, BC based Folk/Pop singer-songwriter Kendall Patrick, has just released her newest EP entitled Peaks and Valleys. Kendall Patrick is known to put everything she has into creating the music she loves. She puts a lot of emotions from her everyday life experiences into her songs. She draws inspiration from what happens to her and all around her.

The song that first caught my attention was “You Remind Me.” It’s the second song on the EP and is just a taste of what the whole release sounds like. “You Remind Me” is a very relatable song that had me wanting to listen to more. I really like the song, her vocals and talent shines through very strongly in the chorus. This song was played repeatedly after listening to it the first time.

The other song that captured my interest was “All Those Years,” which is the sixth song. The song is beautifully written and has a perfect mix of sound to create one of the best songs on the EP. Kendall’s vocals in every song on the EP are flawless and so beautiful that I recommend you just sit down and just let yourself sink into the music. Overall, the EP was very well put together, creating a collection of six songs that were all enjoyable and a joy to listen to. I really enjoyed hearing Kendall’s talent and sheer dedication to her music that is easily noticeable while listening to Peaks and Valleys.

If you are looking for something new to listen to, Kendall Patrick is definitely an artist that I would highly recommend. - Canadian Beats