Meet Patty PerShayla

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patty PerShayla. 

Patty, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started singing when I was very young, at jam sessions my dad and his friends would host. Eventually, I started taking piano lessons and played for church at my Catholic school. As a teenager, I wanted to start writing songs and that usually took the form of parodies and songs about Harry Potter or other books and movies I enjoyed. I bought a ukulele to take on the plane with me when I attended HP conventions. Once I graduated high school, I started writing more personal songs that were mostly in the Americana realm. Many years later, I met my partner and co-writer, Lucas Powell, and I taught myself to play bass guitar. I really feel at home in rock ‘n’ roll and I think I’ll be staying there for a while. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I started looking at colleges, I applied to several schools where I could study music, but I didn’t have enough financial support to make it work. Opting to enter the workforce instead, I had to balance a full-time job with my musical career. I took a long break from music in my early 20s but eventually, I found the gumption to start playing guitar again when I moved to part-time work. I eventually moved back in with my parents after a bad break-up but they helped support me while I dug myself out of debt and started working toward becoming a full-time artist. I taught myself how to play almost every instrument I play, and I learned about the business through books, the internet, and experience. It took a long time to become full-time but at this point, I realize that I don’t need many luxuries beyond a nice guitar and a cup of tea. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think my voice is probably my strongest asset. I have been asked a few times how I add the grit to my vocals and I still don’t really know how. It involves a lot of trust in my body’s ability to find a note and support it. I taught myself just about everything (except piano) so I think I learned through imitating some of my favorite singers. Notably: Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Jack Black, Lzzy Hale, Sara Bareilles, Julia Nunes, and of course Geddy Lee. 

Rush is one of my all-time favorite bands and amid recording my debut EP, Oracle Bones, the audio engineer, Paul Abel, and I started a Rush tribute band called Catch the Fish with his friends Neil Postema and Dave Savage. To promote one of our first shows, I made a video of myself playing “Closer to the Heart” on ukulele, which blew up on YouTube after Neil Peart passed away. This video eventually made its way to progressive rock band YYNOT (also very well known for their Rush covers), a band I would later join. 

I dabble in a lot of things musically. I joined The Accidentals as a touring member because I am a multi-instrumentalist (with them it’s bass, guitar, ukulele, and the occasional mandolin). I think learning more than one instrument has made me think about songs differently because they all have such different personalities. 

What matters most to you?
Integrity, honesty, community. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.pattypershayla.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattypershayla
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pattypershayla
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/pattypershayla
• SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/pattypershayla
• Other: https://pattypershayla.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
Loren Johnson