Author: Kirby Evans<\/p>\n
Supporting Frank Turner on his UK tour, \u251c\u00ebsme Patterson welcomes the audience with some feminist\u252c\u00e1punk-cross-indie-cross-country vibes. I’ve spent a while trying to compare her and her backing band to other artists but the truth of it is, she’s got a pretty unique sound. A seemingly delicate woman steps out on stage\u252c\u00e1and releases a powerful collection of empowering songs. This phenomenal woman has a good understanding\u252c\u00e1of herself and her music, as can be seen in the interview that follows. Here at Quench, we were lucky enough\u252c\u00e1to grab a chat with Esme before the gig.<\/p>\n
Sat in \u251c\u00ebsme’s little green room with two of her three-piece backing band, I’m offered a drink, whilst \u251c\u00ebsme sips\u252c\u00e1on her red-wine-cola combo.<\/p>\n
Hey \u251c\u00ebsme, thanks for having us. First off, we noticed you don’t have a Wikipedia page. We are going to have\u252c\u00e1to change that\u00d4\u00c7\u00aa.\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes! We could make a really funny one. “Esme was born in the wizard circle”. We actually found a circle of\u252c\u00e1stones in the park by the castle (which we couldn’t get into) and we just assumed it was probably a wizard\u252c\u00e1thing.<\/p>\n Congratulations on the new album that came out in June in the US. Are we right in saying that when you did\u252c\u00e1woman to woman<\/em> it took a day to record? \u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n Well it actually took five days but somehow someone started saying that and that’s not actually true, but all of\u252c\u00e1the band tracks were done in one day and then I spent a few days adding a few more songs on. So, I’d say\u252c\u00e1suitable five days in total. We Were Wild<\/em> took a little longer than that though: With demos and pre-production\u252c\u00e1and recording it was more than a year<\/p>\n Woman to Woman<\/em> was about other people. Would you say the new album(We Were Wild)\u252c\u00e1 is based on you more so?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n Yeah it’s definitely it’s autobiographical. I felt like it was time. When writing Woman to Woman<\/em> I felt in some\u252c\u00e1ways I was taking a much-needed break but in other ways escaping into a world of fiction. My whole life I’ve\u252c\u00e1just written from my own experience and it was really lovely and fun to take time away from things I was going\u252c\u00e1through. In terms of We Were Wild,<\/em> the only way I really know how to move through hard times is to write\u252c\u00e1about them so all of the songs are quite intense they command the place of pain or struggle but I do like\u252c\u00e1playing them because I was doing myself a favour at the time by making a path through a particularly hard\u252c\u00e1time. It helped me find strength and peace.<\/p>\n If something funny or embarrassing happens to me I think this is unfortunate but at least the story to tell it.\u252c\u00e1<\/strong>Can you relate to that with your lyrics?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n I think it’s like that with everyone. That suffering, to a certain point has to do with your mentality. You can feel\u252c\u00e1pain and you can use that pain and turn it into something else or use it to propel yourself forward to a place\u252c\u00e1where there’s less pain.<\/p>\n What’s it like being on tour with Frank Turner?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s so fun! The crowds really care about words because all his lyrics are so meaningful, which is great because\u252c\u00e1my lyrics are a big part of my work on and so I really appreciate that and everyone has been so welcoming and\u252c\u00e1kind. We are on tour together for a month altogether, and it’s cute, we are like a family.<\/p>\n \u252c\u00e1<\/strong>What can we expect your current sets?<\/strong><\/p>\n One or two songs from woman to woman<\/em> but mostly from the new album.<\/p>\n How do English crowds compare to American crowds?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n Beaut yeah, in general British crowds are more stoic and will give you a look that’s hard to tell whether they’re\u252c\u00e1enjoying it or not. But the shows when I question whether people enjoyed themselves tend to be the ones\u252c\u00e1when people come up to me at the end of the show and say really enjoyed it, which surprises me from looking\u252c\u00e1into the crowd. But in Portland where I’m from it’s similar to that because people are into their music so they\u252c\u00e1listen to the lyrics more. They’re not like \u00d4\u00c7\u00ffwoo yeah party’ but are digesting the words.<\/p>\n \u252c\u00e1<\/strong>What are you listening to at the moment?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n In the van today we were listening to Parkay Quarts.<\/em> They are a really cool band. And I really love the new<\/p>\n Frank Ocean<\/em> album. I also had a couple of friends in the springtime asked me to stop talking about Lemonade<\/em>\u252c\u00e1because it was all I talked about. I just watched Lemonade<\/em> and cried three times in a row like a child.<\/p>\n Do you have any musical inspirations?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n Horses<\/em> by Patti Smith<\/em> which just turned 50 years old. I was listening to that a lot when we were making the\u252c\u00e1record because Patti Smith is a huge hero of mine.<\/p>\n \u252c\u00e1<\/strong>Would you describe yourself as a feminist?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. Everyone should be a feminist. It’s just about equality and being treated like a human. Men can be\u252c\u00e1feminists too! People can be afraid of feminism though, these are the people who are afraid of words and their\u252c\u00e1lack of accountability.<\/p>\n \u252c\u00e1<\/strong>Finally, are you enjoying Cardiff?\u252c\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n Yeah! We had a cool day in Cardiff today the Christmas markets were awesome. My bandmate had a crepe with\u252c\u00e1lemon and maple syrup. Awesome. And thank you so much having me, I hope you enjoy the concert tonight!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She is empowering. Order her new album We Were Wild<\/em> here!\u252c\u00e1http:\/\/esmepatterson.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n