Patrick McKeown
Patrick (or Paddy, up to yerself) was born in Belfast in 1979 into a musical family with a history in local showbiz. Early family get togethers where the family would entertain each other with singing and dancing almost certainly had an influence, however Paddy's early interest in music seems to have started at the age of 5 or so when he first picked up a guitar. "I dunno, I think I got it for Christmas or something, it was good for just twanging about on."
Despite this perhaps rather random introduction, it later developed into a serious interst during his early teens when he 'discovered' rock. "I was drawn to its energy...I've always felt a sense of freedom with rock." Paddy went on to study music at a Bangor (N.Ireland) college where he began to gain an interest in a much broader range of music including contemporary classical, and where he was first drawn to singing. Due to this emerging eclectic taste and after a couple of years away from education, Paddy decided to move to Devon, England, where he studied music at Dartington College of Arts. "...Other forms of music inspire and enthrall me too, maybe just in different ways - like modern Western formal music, which can be emotionally and intellectually challenging; or some of the more eccentric stuff can just be entertaining and amusing in a kind of ridiculous way!"
In the Autumn of 2003, Paddy went to New York City with friend and singer/songwriter Laura Parker to "check stuff out" and to do some solo performances in various places such as CBs 313 Gallery, The Pioneer, Sidewalk Cafe and the Blah Blah Lounge (recently closed down unfortunately!).
Since then Paddy has been promoting his new EP (Passing By). He has appeared on the Just Jones Show (Radio Ulster), had music played on Across The Line (Radio Ulster), recorded a session for Raidió Na Lifé (106.4fm, Dublin), and performed in The Kings Head (Belfast) and The Viper Rooms (Dublin) amongst other things.Your musical influences
Loads of stuff. Really influenced by thrash metal! ..and also Tim/Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Soundgarden.. contemporary formal music (classical), experimental, avant-guarde, blues, some Jazz....All comments (1)
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Patrick
@paddymckeown
Hi Patrick I like your music very much. It's really different. Thank you for sharing. Rob