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Youth Movement Lisa Patterson as part of the youth express benefit show for Sketch at Hugh's Room (2261 Dundas West), Wednesday (June 29), $10. 416-531-6604. Roots pop artist Lisa Patterson has been around the world working with musicians from many cultures, but right now her most treasured collaborators are Toronto youth. Her latest project is her June 29 Youth Express benefit show for Sketch, a local arts organization offering visual arts workshops and studio access to street-involved and homeless kids. "Everyone can and should make art," Patterson says, "but not everyone can afford the lessons, supplies or space. "There are lots of worthy causes to do benefits for, but for me personally it's most meaningful to support an organization that's concerned with the well-being of the future citizens of our planet ñ especially those who are fringe thinkers or without family or system support." As a troubled teen growing up in Vancouver, Patterson escaped into music as a refuge, and now experiences joy in helping others find confidence in their artistic voice. Sketch's mission of helping youth express themselves and find direction is a perfect fit with Patterson's passions. "I'm really interested in Sketch's emphasis on feeding the artistic soul as a basic human need and basis for building self-esteem and life skills," she says. "Their studio offers a safe place for street youth to be respected as creators when a lot of our urban society too quickly writes off street youth as trouble." Patterson's own music studio fosters kids' creativity in a similar way, offering them a condescension-free space to experiment and be mentored. That's the approach she takes to her Young Songwriters Showcase, which shepherds kids through the songwriting process and then gives them an opportunity to play their song live alongside seasoned musicians, building their confidence before an audience. "I have kids from eight to 18 writing about everything ñ their experiences, life around them. Naturally, there are songs about love and nature, but also more difficult issues including bullying, the environment, poverty, suicide. I'm constantly blown away by their astute observations." It all comes back to Patterson's philosophy of "walking the talk," and it's been a rewarding experience for all involved. "It takes a helluva lot of courage to get up and share your thoughts and feelings with the world, and I've seen them gain tons of confidence in doing it. I get a lump in my throat listening and watching them give it their all." Along with a performance by Patterson and her band and the Young Songwriters Showcase, Wednesday's benefit features the Youth Playback Theatre Project, also coordinated by Patterson, which creates a safe place for youth to tell their stories and then see them played back as improvised theatre. Patterson thrives on seeing kids open up to their potential. "It seems that up until a certain point we innately trust our creative impulses," says Patterson. "Then often something or someone can block that, so we hold back, doubt ourselves, get insecure and angry. I believe that if we learn to fearlessly express and trust our intuition at a young age, it's possible to remain open and expressive our whole lives." Patterson's globe-trotting has also enabled her to show kids that they share a lot with youth around the world. "I've done music workshops with kids in India and like to tell kids here how they have very similar creative impulses to move, tell stories, sing. "The Western music industry would have us believe that music is a commodity solely for the purpose of marketing pop culture. But in many places in the world millions of people dance and sing purely for the joy of it. It's easy to forget that. I try to downplay the star system with youth. Everyone deserves to be heard." |
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NOW MAGAZINE Roots pop artist Lisa Patterson has been around the world working with musicians from many cultures, but right now her most treasured collaborators are Toronto youth. Her latest project is her June 29 Youth Express benefit show for Sketch, a local arts organization offering visual arts workshops and studio access to street-involved and homeless kids. MORE
EYE MAGAZINE "Why don't we save the Earth?" sings precocious 12-year-old Mitchell Allen, sounding like the next Randy Newman, albeit a less cynical one. Mitchell is one of five songwriters aged 16 and under sharing the stage at Hugh's Room on the evening of June 29 as part of a Youth Express! event organized by singer-songwriter Lisa Patterson. MORE
VANCOUVER PROVINCE This is all mixed up but Patterson makes it all make sense. Originally from Vancouver, now living in Toronto, her bio stresses a family upbringing with Scottish and Romanian roots. Sure enough, Patterson's second album has gypsy and celtic elements but there also is jazz and the faint influence of drums 'n' bass. MORE
GEORGIA STRAIGHT, VANCOUVER Former B.C. resident Lisa Patterson relates her globetrotting experiences via fluid production, sultry grooves and exotic musical influences on ROAM. The Toronto-based musician celebrates the release of the disc, her second, this Tuesday (July 13) at the Media Club. MORE PETERBOROUGH EXAMINER Toronto musician Lisa Patterson is creating a pattern of great music. Roam is evidence of an artist who clearly wants to create a sound all her own. In the mind of Lisa Patterson, there are no musical boundaries. MORE
INK 19 MAGAZINE Everyone has heard the saying, "think globally, act locally." Canadian singer Lisa Patterson's latest CD, Roam, is infused with that kind of thinking. Patterson's songs are focused on personal concerns like romance, life, death and how it all fits together. MORE GUELPH UNIVERSITY ONTARIAN The first impression that comes from this album is its uniqueness. This almost seamless blend of jazz and what seems like Indian or Eastern European music is very intriguing. I couldn't help but tap my foot and sing along upon my first listen. The melodies are interesting and intricate and are well balanced by the lively percussion and fluid instrumental backgrounds. MORE
NORTH SHORE NEWS LYRICS, and the messages they convey, are extremely important in Lisa Patterson's scheme of things. Her new album Roam is full of a global esthetic that brings together many different sources. While she wants her songs to be heard by as many people as possible she says there is much more at stake. "The philosophy that I'm trying to spread is 'let's take the time to try and understand each other. Let's try to connect with each other because our world is a really funny place.' MORE |
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