Patrick Sweany has been perfecting his blend of indie, blues, soul-rock since his late teen years, playing local clubs and coffeehouses in the Kent area. With an ear on the past and an eye on the future, the Massillon native has made quite a splash beyond his home state of Ohio. Patrick has drawn the attention of long time greats like Jimmy Thackery and Roy Book Binder. He was kind enough to take a break from a rigorous touring schedule to talk about his new record with his dad, John Cusack being cool, and ice cream showdowns with The Black Keys.
S*KM: How responsible is your father’s record collection for helping you develop your trademark sound?
PS: I think it was extremely important because of the artists whose records he owned, most tended to be self-accompanied singers and acoustic guitar players, solo entertainers, and a lot of those records were recorded live, no overdubbing, or at times in front of an audience. That formed a strong impression as to what an entertainer should be, and how you should entertain and engage an audience. A lot of those records had songs on them that he would teach me to play, and it really made me conscious of how practice would help me be sure of myself, and in turn sound more like these awesome records.
S*KM: What if he had a collection of Village People and Bee Gees records, what might have come of Patrick Sweany?
PS: I don’t know. I think it was that unadorned honest thing is what really inspired me and nothing against the BEE GEES, (who were immensely talented) I doubt I would have found it if that were the case.
S*KM: You just finished recording an acoustic jug band record with your dad. What was that like and how did it come about?
PS: My friend Bernie Nau at Peachfork Studios outside of Athens OH, offered me a day of recording and I said “what the hell?” I like Bernie, he’s really knowledgeable, he’s got great ears, (GREAT ears!!!) he understands acoustic music and seemed really enthusiastic about recording my dad’s Washtub bass, which tends to be kind of tricky. It’s way easier to do it with an experienced, interested, engineer than recording it yourself, so I just told dad, “we’re doing this.”
S*KM: What personal experiences do you draw from when writing music, and how did they translate to such an honest blues and soul sound growing up in Northeast Ohio?
PS: Everybody has troubles in love, life, career frustration, disappointment, identity crises, etc. no matter where you live. I write about MY life. Concerning the emotional and relationship subject matter, those are things I am not comfortable talking about with folks outside of my immediate family. I’m lucky enough to have an outlet through my music and a voice to sing about it in a way that isn’t too terribly painful. That goes a long way to my mental health. I hope people can find some little thing they can relate to so that they can get some release.
S*KM: Time for the college essay question of the interview. What do the blues mean to you, and why do you think it is at the center of all great rock music?
PS: Yeah… uh… because it’s good? I give up? What is it? Without expounding on a musicological lecture, it really has something for everybody, whatever music you like.
S*KM: I love when artists name songs after hometown stuff, which makes “Stark County” one of my personal favorites, what inspired you to write it, and what is it about?
PS: I think that where you are from and why you live there is important to who you are. I like to think that “sticking to it” is something I got from growing up in Massillon. Despite my assertion in the song, I may eventually have to relocate for career reasons, but it’s my favorite place to be.
S*KM: Tell us one thing people don’t know about Patrick Sweany, maybe you enjoy some questionable TV programming, or are a sucker for a good John Cusack romantic comedy?
PS: Pretty diehard Simpsons fan, but that’s not hard to figure out. “The Ice Harvest,” “Grosse Pointe Blank?” John Cusack is cool. I am pretty addicted to “Law and Order.” Oh… Detectives Briscoe and Green, you are my Soulmates in Buddy Cop Show heaven… mmmmmmm…..
S*KM: You are good friends with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, do you guys ever throw down and have blues guitar showdowns?
PS: If I am ever in a showdown, it will involve my ability to consume Ice cream, or baked goods, and not guitars. I am confident that Mr. Auerbach will posses the good sense to concede. Take that.
S*KM: You are always out playing shows, whether it is big music festivals or small shows around the area. On the rare night you aren’t playing, where is your favorite place to check out a live show?
PS: I like the Matinee, it’s down the street from me. I like the Beachland in Cleveland. When I get home, or have a night off, it’s a struggle to get me to go somewhere in the car, so I kind of stay in the neighborhood.
S*KM: In a non-stalker sort of way, say we walked in to your house sat down on your couch and turned on your TV, what would be on?
PS: Law and Order, Beverly Hillbillies, Adult Swim, that survival show with Bear Grylls, usually late at night I enjoy Knife Show, the home shopping network for sports cutlery. It’s on around 3am. It really stirs the imagination.
S*KM: Put us on the edge of our seat, what’s next for Patrick Sweany?
PS: More rock.
You can listen to Patrick Sweany for yourself at www.myspace.com/patricksweany and catch him live next on Friday, May 9 at The Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio.