inthespotlight: Joe Patrina
About once a month, cars crowd a West Simsbury, Connecticut, street to see the group LittleHouse perform in a barn. However, this is no ordinary barn. It's a sophisticated sound stage complete with sofa seating and high-tech laser visuals.
Joe Patrina, lead singer and founder of LittleHouse got his start in music in the early '70s, playing lead guitar in rock and blues bands. In 1979, after graduating from Hartford's Trinity College, Patrina put his music on the back burner and moved to New York City to forge a career in finance and technology. He eventually developed a unique software platform known as The Wall Street System, widely used around the world.
GEARGuide
Effects Pedals: "I use a Radial Bones Texas overdrive and a Vox wah wah-KISS! People tell me I have a classic, authentic tone. That kind of talk makes me happy to be alive."
Guitars: "I have a pair of Taylors for live performance-for tuning rotations and for backup-plus a Larivee (Canada) acoustic for capo tuned songs."
In 2006, he sold his company and left Wall Street behind. Returning to his musical roots, he formed the group LittleHouse, which reflects Patrina's personal American dream experience, with a sound he calls "heartland music"-rockabilly, rock, spiritual, folk, and blues overlaid by strong vocals and clear lyrics. He describes the group as a musical troupe that moves on and off stage as a kaleidoscope of material is performed.
"A night out listening to the live music of LittleHouse is quite an experience," says Patrina. "Our 'welcome to the barn' atmosphere means that the audience is part of the inner circle. They participate in our music." To watch videos of live LittleHouse performances, log onto www.LittleHouselive.com.
Patrina has a clear mission. "Surrounding myself with young and old band members alike makes the 'big tent' point: All of you who feel disenfranchised by popular culture, the youth market, the death of storytelling, and even with the morass of government intrusion ... now have a place to go. It's here in the barn," he explains. "And once inside the barn, you will delight in discovering a songwriter that celebrates the highs and lows of life-your life-in song."
Who are your musical influences?
Inside my barn are two abstracts, one of Bob Dylan, who brought serious writing to popular music, and one of Hendrix, who turned the whole world sonic. I've listened to and worshiped so many great writers and performers of the past 100 years that I count my influences in the thousands.
Why do you continue to make music?
I'm not done yet. I worked so hard to get my skills as a singer/songwriter and bandleader together that now I'm determined to get everything out of myself I can.
How do you continue to learn?
I learn by practicing my craft, just as doctors and lawyers learn by practicing their professions. Over time, musicians learn the deeper facets of their craft, as they discover who they are and tackle the bigger questions about life itself.
What benefits have you found to making music?
Wisdom, spiritual awakening, communing with all those people who stop to listen to what you have created. It gives you a feeling that you are giving back.
How do you make time for music in your life?
I am writing, arranging, rehearsing, performing, recording, mixing, mastering, filming, and handling the business aspects of performing seven days a week. I go until my mind is fried, then I take a break, and get going again. Every hour is precious, so you have to make the time.
What advice do you have for someone getting back into music later in life?
Every time someone tells me that they once played music, to whatever degree, I encourage them to pick it up again. Take the guitar out of the case and put it next to where you sit. Work the piano. The next thing you know, you may stumble onto a little composition that you can develop.
What is your best memory of making music? July 4, 1979, playing at CBGBs in New York City to a rip roaring crowd who got totally behind our "beatnik rock" punk act. It was a total blast.
Down In The Delta by LittleHouse from LittleHouse on Vimeo.
