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CHATTIN'
WITH PATCHEN
A conversation
with Strangefolk's new singer.
(Note to the
reader: though his first name is Luke, to avoid being
confused with drummer Luke Smith, Luke Montgomery goes by
his middle name, "Patchen.")
VOYAGER: I'm
not in the band, but -- welcome to the band!
PATCHEN: Thanks
a lot!
VOYAGER: How
did you meet these guys?
PATCHEN: We actually
played a gig together like five years ago at a local
place in New York where I'm from. We came from very
similar places musically, acoustic guitars and harmonies.
So I kept my eye on the peripherally for the next few
years because I really dug them. And now here I am! Its
kinda funny.
VOYAGER: I'm
sure you've heard that their last Garden of Eden festial
drew 6,000 people. Wow! I would be wringing my hands in
anticipation of that if I were you!
PATCHEN: My band
was completely local New York, we never really left the
city and it kinda disintegrated and I played in the
subway for two years, so I've played to millions of
people (laughs)! Probably not as interested as a
Strangefolk audience, though.
VOYAGER: Just
like Jon Bon Jovi -- you saw a million faces and you
rocked `em all!
PATCHEN: Right,
exactly!
VOYAGER: To
step on a stage and you're singing someone else's lyrics
-- does that feel comfortable?
PATCHEN: It
feels a little strange. Its not my music and I know the
fans have heard the old versions for so long. But I'm not
trying to copy anything. I've learned the lyrics and the
melody and I'm doing it my own way. It feels good,
though. I've only been onstage with this band eight times
at this point, and we clicked pretty much instantly.
There are a few songs that are precious to fans of the
former singer, but I'm just trying to do it from my own
place. I've thrown a few of my songs into the mix and the
other guys also sing and we're doing lots of harmonies.
I'm not just the replacement, which has been there
intention from the start is that they're not trying to
replace anybody, they're going to a new place, and its
working that way.
VOYAGER: Are
you writing songs with them?
PATCHEN:
Absolutely. I had a bunch of songs I wanted to translate
into this band. I've actually written very
spontaneously...we would rehearse and songs would just
miraculously appear. The melody, everything, and I would
just go back to the hotel room and write some lyrics. We
already have two songs like that.
VOYAGER: I
saw on your Web site that your drummer (Luke Smith) is
getting your e-mail?
PATCHEN: Yeah,
I've had to change my name (laughs). "The Other
Luke" just wasn't doing it for me, so I just use my
middle name, Patchen.
VOYAGER: What
kinds of things are you hearing from the fans?
PATCHEN: At this
point, because its so new, I'm just gettign the,
"Welcome, and thank you for helping to keep this
thing alive." The e-mails I'm getting are just
completely positive and great. They have a really
enthusiastic fan base, these guys.
Read more about Strangefolk at www.Strangefolk.com,
and check out our other Strangefolk stories here.
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