So soon after the release of his latest EP, Feathers And Pearls, we’ve already got a new video from RVA singer-songwriter Patrick Bates. He gives us yet more of his heartstring-tugging atmospheric mood music here on “Fakers And Singers,” which we are premiering today.
So soon after the release of his latest EP, Feathers And Pearls, we’ve already got a new video from RVA singer-songwriter Patrick Bates. He gives us yet more of his heartstring-tugging atmospheric mood music here on “Fakers And Singers,” which we are premiering today. This video is the first in what Bates promises will be a series of one-off singles coming out over the course of this year, a live performance recorded in fall 2013 in which he and his electric guitar take full advantage of the acoustics in a huge, empty room.
The way Bates places his mostly-unaccompanied electric guitar and voice at the center of his music is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley’s early solo days (immortalized on the classic Live At Sin-e EP/double CD reissue), though there is some musical backing here–two female cello players, one of which is Alexandra Spalding of Avers, lay down some lovely accents throughout the song. As with much of Bates’ previous material, “Fakers And Singers” begins with a quiet, pensive mood, but eventually builds up to an emotional climax. The appearance of thundering drums on the last 45 seconds or so of this tune is not incongruous but deeply appropriate, given the melodrama of the moment. Moments like this make me think of the symphonic post-hardcore dramatics of Moving Mountains, whose Waves LP was a favorite of mine back when it was released. Hopefully Bates will eventually give us a full album’s worth of this kind of thing–in fact, the sooner the better.
You’ll have two opportunities to see Patrick Bates perform live this month. The first will take place at Sound Of Music Studios on Saturday, March 21, the long-awaited first day of spring. To celebrate the changing of the seasons, Bates will be performing with a full band, and they’ll be joined by Red Lewis & the Letting Go, and Ward Harrison. ZZQ will be serving barbecue of the meaty and vegetarian varieties, and there’ll be a pop-up market featuring local vintage and handmade vendors. The event starts at noon and is free to attend–click here for more info. And the next night, Sunday March 22, head out to Helen’s to see a solo show featuring Patrick Bates and local singer-songwriters Benjamin Shepherd and Josh Small, who will perform in a round-robin style, trading off songs and having a good ol’ time. Check it out!
By Andrew Necci
