Introducing Patrick.
Ireland's 'Heavenly Bodies' Pop Sensation Patrick Tells All
We've fallen in love with his 'Heavenly Bodies' and have it firmly on repeat. From the strength of his pop-rock melodies to the smokey depth and crystalline highs of his stunning vocals, Ireland's Patrick (nee Patrick McDonagh) has arrived and everyone is taking notice. Knowing he may become very in demand very quickly, we snuck in quick to find out more about the magic of this Irish lad.
Hey Patrick, congratulations on the success so far and on new single ‘Heavenly Bodies’. We’re big fans of it at Q Review. For those who are unfamiliar with you and your music tell us a little about who you are.
How old were you when you first got interested in music and what got you started?
Around 10 years old, I found a video on MySpace of a 16 year old Adele singing her song ‘Daydreamer’. I fell in love with her voice and that song from the first listen. Something in her delivery spoke to me in a way no one else has ever been able to.
Shortly after I pestered my parents to buy me a keyboard, and I started to teach myself to play. A couple of years later when I was in my early teens I learned that an older cousin of mine was a trained pianist. We got to talking about music and soon after we sat down to write a song. “Don’t look back” was the first song I had ever written. She had no idea I was struggling with depression and anxiety, which I now know was a result of me coming to terms with my sexuality. From that first song, writing became my therapy.
Was music big in your family?
Aside from my cousin who I wrote my first song with, making music wasn’t really a thing in my family. That said, the majority of my family are avid music fans. Music was always playing while I was growing up.
My dad and I spent a lot of time in the car, especially in my early teenage years. It was my dad who introduced me to the divas of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s like Whitney Houston, Jennifer Rush, Tina Turner, Cindi Lauper as well as other artists like Jimmy Somerville, Fleetwood Mac, Alanis Morissette and Billy Joel.
With my mum, I was introduced to other divas like Celine Dion. My mum also unknowingly sparked my love for country music by playing artists like Shania Twain around the house.
Who were some of the artists you listened to when you were younger?
Aside from the artists I was introduced to by family, I listened to a lot of soul, pop, country and RnB artists.
Adele, Alicia Keys, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Amy MacDonald, Pink, Billy Joel, Duffy, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen were some of my favourite artists and have had huge influences on the artist I’ve become.
How would you describe your music to a new listener?
Exquisite destruction set to music.
Music allows me to tell the stories of my gloriously tragic romances in a way that speech doesn’t allow me to.
Who are or have been your musical influences?
For the longest part of my life, writers like Adele, Ryan Tedder, Paul Epworth, Fraser T Smith, Emeli Sandé, Alicia Keys, Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morissette have been massively influential on my music. In recent years, artists such as Stormzy, Harry Styles, Kacey Musgraves, Lennon Stella, Julia Michaels and Pink have influenced me a lot. That said, my artistry has also been largely influenced by my co-writer and producer Joe Cross.
Hey Patrick, congratulations on the success so far and on new single ‘Heavenly Bodies’. We’re big fans of it at Q Review. For those who are unfamiliar with you and your music tell us a little about who you are.
How old were you when you first got interested in music and what got you started?
Around 10 years old, I found a video on MySpace of a 16 year old Adele singing her song ‘Daydreamer’. I fell in love with her voice and that song from the first listen. Something in her delivery spoke to me in a way no one else has ever been able to.
Shortly after I pestered my parents to buy me a keyboard, and I started to teach myself to play. A couple of years later when I was in my early teens I learned that an older cousin of mine was a trained pianist. We got to talking about music and soon after we sat down to write a song. “Don’t look back” was the first song I had ever written. She had no idea I was struggling with depression and anxiety, which I now know was a result of me coming to terms with my sexuality. From that first song, writing became my therapy.
Was music big in your family?
Aside from my cousin who I wrote my first song with, making music wasn’t really a thing in my family. That said, the majority of my family are avid music fans. Music was always playing while I was growing up.
My dad and I spent a lot of time in the car, especially in my early teenage years. It was my dad who introduced me to the divas of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s like Whitney Houston, Jennifer Rush, Tina Turner, Cindi Lauper as well as other artists like Jimmy Somerville, Fleetwood Mac, Alanis Morissette and Billy Joel.
With my mum, I was introduced to other divas like Celine Dion. My mum also unknowingly sparked my love for country music by playing artists like Shania Twain around the house.
Who were some of the artists you listened to when you were younger?
Aside from the artists I was introduced to by family, I listened to a lot of soul, pop, country and RnB artists.
Adele, Alicia Keys, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Amy MacDonald, Pink, Billy Joel, Duffy, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen were some of my favourite artists and have had huge influences on the artist I’ve become.
How would you describe your music to a new listener?
Exquisite destruction set to music.
Music allows me to tell the stories of my gloriously tragic romances in a way that speech doesn’t allow me to.
Who are or have been your musical influences?
For the longest part of my life, writers like Adele, Ryan Tedder, Paul Epworth, Fraser T Smith, Emeli Sandé, Alicia Keys, Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morissette have been massively influential on my music. In recent years, artists such as Stormzy, Harry Styles, Kacey Musgraves, Lennon Stella, Julia Michaels and Pink have influenced me a lot. That said, my artistry has also been largely influenced by my co-writer and producer Joe Cross.
‘Heavenly Bodies’ is a fantastic song, very radio friendly. How did it come about for you?
2018 was one of the toughest years I’ve ever faced in my life. I felt like no matter what I did, nothing would go to plan. Despite any and all of my successes, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was a failure. A lot happened in my life in the years leading to that time, and I think I had just reached breaking point. The tip of the ice berg was when I went through my break up. I explain ‘Heavenly Bodies’ as the story behind the break up and the break down. At that point I truly felt like I had nothing left. I was lower than ever before. I knew I needed to write. I had a writing session with Joe, put pen to paper and spilled every thought in my head outwards. I instantly felt lighter, I felt a weight come off my shoulders and I could see a way out of my depression. Like I’ve said, writing music is my therapy, this track was no exception. It allowed me to find closure, let go of the negatives and find peace within myself.
You’ve been writing from and early age. What do you find the most challenging part of writing or the creative process?
In the very early stages I struggled a lot with authenticity. I used to focus so much on trying to be what I was taught was ‘commercial’ that it got to the point where I forgot why I was doing what I was doing.
The turning point for me was when I realised that what really mattered was telling my stories in the way I feel they need to be told.
Currently, my biggest struggle is getting to a point where I’m comfortable enough to let other people hear my stories. I’m not much of a talker when it comes to my struggles or my personal life. My music is my way of opening up. I don’t find that a naturally easy thing to do.
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
I generally draw inspiration from past and present life experiences. Whether they’re good or bad, both matter equally. The highs are only highs, if you‘ve got the lows to give you some perspective.
Sometimes I draw from other people’s experiences, but that’s usually only the case when I’m writing for other artists.
You also have an incredible voice with a beautiful range and tone. Have you had much chance to play live and what is your favorite part of the live experience for you?
For me, the best part of playing live will always be walking on stage and seeing the people that have gone out of their way to come see me do what I do. For them to choose to stand in a crowd and hear me tell my stories. The only thing that beats that, is when they sing my lyrics with me. That’s a goosebump moment every time!
2018 was one of the toughest years I’ve ever faced in my life. I felt like no matter what I did, nothing would go to plan. Despite any and all of my successes, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was a failure. A lot happened in my life in the years leading to that time, and I think I had just reached breaking point. The tip of the ice berg was when I went through my break up. I explain ‘Heavenly Bodies’ as the story behind the break up and the break down. At that point I truly felt like I had nothing left. I was lower than ever before. I knew I needed to write. I had a writing session with Joe, put pen to paper and spilled every thought in my head outwards. I instantly felt lighter, I felt a weight come off my shoulders and I could see a way out of my depression. Like I’ve said, writing music is my therapy, this track was no exception. It allowed me to find closure, let go of the negatives and find peace within myself.
You’ve been writing from and early age. What do you find the most challenging part of writing or the creative process?
In the very early stages I struggled a lot with authenticity. I used to focus so much on trying to be what I was taught was ‘commercial’ that it got to the point where I forgot why I was doing what I was doing.
The turning point for me was when I realised that what really mattered was telling my stories in the way I feel they need to be told.
Currently, my biggest struggle is getting to a point where I’m comfortable enough to let other people hear my stories. I’m not much of a talker when it comes to my struggles or my personal life. My music is my way of opening up. I don’t find that a naturally easy thing to do.
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
I generally draw inspiration from past and present life experiences. Whether they’re good or bad, both matter equally. The highs are only highs, if you‘ve got the lows to give you some perspective.
Sometimes I draw from other people’s experiences, but that’s usually only the case when I’m writing for other artists.
You also have an incredible voice with a beautiful range and tone. Have you had much chance to play live and what is your favorite part of the live experience for you?
For me, the best part of playing live will always be walking on stage and seeing the people that have gone out of their way to come see me do what I do. For them to choose to stand in a crowd and hear me tell my stories. The only thing that beats that, is when they sing my lyrics with me. That’s a goosebump moment every time!
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As a young LGBTQ artist and songwriter how has your experiences with your sexuality impacted your music?
My sexuality is obviously a huge part of my life. It’s part of who I am and given that my lyrics are all based on life experiences, I would say my sexuality has definitely impacted the music. I have a lot of experiences with homophobia that I’ve written about, I’ve also had a few break ups that I’ve written about. That said, I dream of the day where I as a man can sing a song about another man, using pronouns, and not turn heads for the wrong reasons.
Is ‘Heavenly Bodies’ the beginning of a new collection of music?
In a word. Yes.
I’ve spent the past two years learning my craft, developing my sound and writing the music that I’ve always wanted to write. I am so excited to show the world what I’ve been working on.
What’s the big goal for 2020?
I’d like to see more places, and meet more of the people who have been loving my music.
Finally, when you’re not crafting amazing music, what do you get up to?
I get my friends together, we open various bottles, stop being sober, get lost in the music and see how many dance-floors we can tear up in one night. That’s my happy place.
Get familiar with Patrick on Spotify. We're fairly certain we'll be hearing lots from and about this rising star!
My sexuality is obviously a huge part of my life. It’s part of who I am and given that my lyrics are all based on life experiences, I would say my sexuality has definitely impacted the music. I have a lot of experiences with homophobia that I’ve written about, I’ve also had a few break ups that I’ve written about. That said, I dream of the day where I as a man can sing a song about another man, using pronouns, and not turn heads for the wrong reasons.
Is ‘Heavenly Bodies’ the beginning of a new collection of music?
In a word. Yes.
I’ve spent the past two years learning my craft, developing my sound and writing the music that I’ve always wanted to write. I am so excited to show the world what I’ve been working on.
What’s the big goal for 2020?
I’d like to see more places, and meet more of the people who have been loving my music.
Finally, when you’re not crafting amazing music, what do you get up to?
I get my friends together, we open various bottles, stop being sober, get lost in the music and see how many dance-floors we can tear up in one night. That’s my happy place.
Get familiar with Patrick on Spotify. We're fairly certain we'll be hearing lots from and about this rising star!