With a tune in his head and a lot on his mind, Patrick Craig has been preforming since he was 16. Spanning topics of love, lust, loss and dancing while drunk, Patrick writes songs that convey wisdom beyond his tender age. The talented soloist follows an alternative take on the acoustic genre, gorging into the depths of folk and pondering the realms of punk rock. The heart, the desire and the talent are all ever present, most notably, on his latest record that can be found here. Patrick sat down with us recently and took on the A-Z Questionnaire Challenge…
A SONG WHICH MADE YOU WANT TO MAKE MUSIC:
“I’m a believer” by the Monkees. Especially after hearing it in Shrek, I sang that song all afternoon into a washing up bottle, much to the amusement of my parents.
BEST RIDER YOU HAVE EVER HAD:
I’ve never actually had a rider for a show. As long as there’s some water kicking about and maybe a little bit of nibbles I’m happy.
CRAZIEST MOMENT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN THE BAND:
I try and keep crazy moments to a minimum, but singing Frank Turner songs at 4 am in a field in Gloucestershire as people drip fed me cider is up there…..
DEEPEST LYRICS ONE OF YOUR SONGS FEATURES:
“I won’t tell you to get over this, but I will help you to get through this”. Not 100% mine, I read it online somewhere and loved the sentiment of it, so used it in a song.
EASIEST SONG YOU WROTE:
True Story. I wrote that in one go on a beach somewhere on the south coast.
FAVOURITE SONG IN YOUR SET:
Probably Begin Again. I love playing that riff.
GUEST YOU’D MOST LIKE TO FEATURE ON YOUR RECORD:
Tim OT, but only cause he was sat next to me when I wrote the answers for this interview.
HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND:
There’s times when its tough, when drives are long, when shows fall through, when things go wrong. But there’s also things that make this quite simply the best job in the world.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS:
I can juggle.
JOKES YOU HAVE IN THE BAND:
I often just giggle at myself sometimes to be honest…..
KEY TO WRITING A SONG:
Have a single idea. Expand. Have a second idea. Expand that. Then work out how to link the two.
LONGEST DISTANCE YOU’VE TRAVELLED TO PLAY A SHOW:
I’m not sure what the exact distance is, but I’ve been up and down the M1 several times in a week for several shows…..
MOST INSPIRING MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED:
Sam Duckworth AKA Recreations (FKA Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly). He’s one of the most amazing people to speak to about loads of things, and he’s been amazingly positive and supportive towards me in the run up to this album.
NEW BAND YOU’D RECOMMEND:
Little Bribes. A really cool band from Nottingham. They’ve just bought out an EP and it has been on repeat since I got it.
OPENING FOR THIS BAND WOULD BE IDEAL:
There’s loads of people I’d love to support, and loads that I have played with that I would love to play with again
PLACE YOU’D MOST LIKE TO TOUR:
Anywhere that would have me. I’d love to go around America but I am aware just how big it is.
QUOTE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON TO READERS:
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro”. – Hunter S Thompson
REASON FOR THE TITLE OF YOUR RECENT/FORTHCOMING RELEASE:
The album is a collection of stories that are based off personal experiences. So it made sense to call it what it is, a “True Story”
SEE US LIVE AT:
23rd of April at the Fighting Cocks in Kingston is the album launch party, otherwise all tour dates go up on my website.
THE OLD DAYS OF MUSIC WERE BETTER THAN THOSE CURRENT, DO YOU AGREE:
To an extent, as in the old days it seemed like labels and the people that had the money actually invested in young musicians, and helped them find their voice rather than just expecting a finished product that can be sold. But at the same time that has encouraged people to work with more of a DIY ethic, and to early craft their musicianship.
UNUSUAL MERCHANDISE:
I’d love to make a load of badges that you have to collect over time, and then would make a big picture. Like a mosaic.
VARIATIONS YOU’D LIKE TO DO ON ANY OF YOUR SONGS:
I love playing the piano (or at least my variation of playing the piano) and theres a few songs that I play that work slowed down with a piano, and I’d love to play a piano only set one day. Might need more piano practice first.
WHAT DO YOUR FANS MEAN TO YOU:
My fans mean everything to me. No matter how bad the journey, or the situation around me, or my frame of mood, as soon as I catch someone mouthing the words quietly, or just nodding their head or (in the most extreme case) singing along, its the best feeling in the world. The absolute best.
X-RAYS OR ANY OTHER TREATMENTS NEEDED FOR BAND RELATED INJURIES:
After we spent a day in the studio tracking the album live as a band (and then overdubs later) I was then hospitalized. Turned out my ‘sore throat’ was actually ‘glandular fever’. So that was a bit of an environment change.
YOU’RE LATE FOR A SHOW, WHO’S FAULT IS IT:
Mine. I work hard to time keep to the best of my ability, and I hate being late for things. That being said, I’ve blamed others before. Coach companies especially.
ZOO ANIMAL THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE PERSONALITY OF YOUR BAND:
I have literally no idea. A panda. Why? Cause Panda’s are awesome, and they begin with a P at least.
Listen to ‘Cold Coffee in Cracked Mugs’ Here:
Keep Up To Date With Patrick Here:
www,pcraiguk.com
www.patrickcraig.bandcamp.com
www.soundcloud.com/pcraiguk