This time on the NAS 10 Questions we get to know Patrick Laurin, a singer-songwriter based in Montreal Canada, with folk and rock influences such as Damien Rice, Radiohead, and Billy Joel. His mellow style and dreamy vocals are mesmerizing. Check out his beautiful track "Stuck" now on New Artist Spotlight playlists.
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1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I am from Montreal, Canada. Born and raised. Working full time as an industrial drafter leaves little room to do music, but I do what I can, and try to come up with original songs. My evening are usually just me trying to come up with new material on the guitar or piano.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
At a youngish age, a friend of mine opened my eyes to the joys of really paying attention to music, learning to hear and differentiate the different instruments. Before that, I loved music, but I was more into popular pop, radio. Since then, I've grown to appreciate all kinds of good music, from opera to metal.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
I would say I have a wide array of influences. "Elton John", "Billy Joel", "Damien Rice", "Jay Jay Johanson", "Ron Sexsmith", "Cigarettes after Sex". And then a little different with "Muse", "Arctic Monkeys", "Radiohead", "Coldplay"
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
Frankly, being able to one day create music I am really proud of. Music that reflects who I am, and what I love most about that art form. At the same time, having people that enjoy what I put out is a good source of motivation. Having music pay the rent would be the dream.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
It usually starts with a melody that gets stuck in my head. That's how I know I should do something with it. Then I try adding guitar to it, which helps with being able to play it, sing it and come up with lyrics that fits and flows decently. The rest happens once it's recorded, in my case.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
That is a good question. Maybe "Nude" by Radiohead. Overall mood is amazing. Vocals by Thom Yorke have an ethereal quality to them. I'm in a dreamlike state when I close my eyes and listen to that track. Soothing and beautiful. The harmonies and melodies are top notch.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
It's an overall wise advice that I've been given, and that I gave also to a few people. To make the music you enjoy making, the music that naturally flows out of you. Then take the time to make it sound good, but not overdoing it by spending months refining every detail over and over.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Apart from a couple of piano lessons, I learned to play music on my own. Vocals, guitar, bass, drums. And soon the mighty Ukulele, and Theremin too. Also, coming from a french household and family/friends, I thought myself english at a young age through music, litterature, movies and TV series.
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
I have a tendency to forget lyrics to my own songs when performing, so I had to come up with alternate bits in case I forgot the original ones. Fortunately, I never forgot those.
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
Been a while since I've last performed in front of an audience. But low point might have been the breakup of our old band, for "creative differences". High points, I'd say getting back into music with covid, buying all the gear, writing, putting songs online and getting decent feedback, that makes me want to continue developing as an artist.
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