Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Patricia Bahia

Seventeen years ago, Patricia Bahia received a life-changing diagnosis. It was the wake-up call that she needed and a reminder to live life to the fullest. Shortly after that, she began putting pen to paper and wrote her very first song. Since then, she’s gone on to win several songwriting awards and has had her music featured on shows such as Pretty Little Liars, Riverdale, and Nashville.

When we spoke with Patricia, she told us that her mission as an artist is to release music that lifts up others, and that’s apparent in her new single, “Every Heart One Love.”

We caught up with Patricia to learn more about the song, how she overcame cancer, and what’s next for her.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Patricia: I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t passionate about music. I grew up in a house with music playing all the time. My dad is a classically trained pianist. Although my mom never did anything with music, she has a really beautiful singing voice. I was exposed to a lot of different kinds of music. I was always singing, and that continues to this day. I’m one of those people that’s in a store and I don’t even realize I’m humming and singing.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Patricia: This may sound strange, but I feel like the biggest thing was getting a cancer diagnosis. I was always a singer. I did a lot of singing, choir, and a lot of different things. But I didn’t write my first song until I received an ovarian cancer diagnosis. That was sixteen years ago. That was the wake-up call that propelled me to start writing songs. It was something I’d always wanted to do, but I just didn’t do it. I was scared. I didn’t think I could. I had all these reasons, but it was finally what got me to do something that I always wanted to do. That’s why I have a career as a songwriter now.

PC: Tell us about “Every Heart One Love” and the inspiration behind the song.
Patricia: “Every Heart One Love” was born out of frustration with the polarization and division in our country. My cowriter, Diana Rose Dawson, and I both felt ourselves getting pulled down into it. We wanted to write a song to remind ourselves and anybody listening that we’re all so much more alike than we are different. One thing that I try to do as a songwriter and as an artist is to create songs that lift people up, combat negativity with hope and optimism, and hopefully help us remember that we only have one planet. We’re all one family living on one planet, so we better learn how to get along.

PC: You’ve said in a previous interview that this was one of those songs that took some time to perfect. You got to play a demo for Jason Mraz. How did his advice influence/shape the song?
Patricia: Jason is one of my absolute favorite artists on so many levels. I love his writing. I love his music, his guitar playing, his voice, and his humanitarianism. He’s really an inspiration. One of the things he said was that he tries to write from a first-person perspective because it makes it more relatable. I really took that to heart and ended up rewriting the lyrics and the first verse to turn that lyric more inwards.

PC: You’ve steadily been releasing music throughout the years. If you had to pick one of your songs that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Patricia: That’s a tough one. All my songs are my babies. It’s like choosing your favorite child. I would say “Great Day to Be Alive.” That is one of the many that I’ve written about coming out of the cancer experience. It made me stronger and more appreciative of daily life. I would consider “Great Day to Be Alive” to be one of my theme songs.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Patricia: I’m really eclectic, so I don’t know. I’m known for writing positive songs, but I actually love dark music. I write dark songs as well. I’m a big fan of Damien Rice and Mary Gauthier.

PC: First album you bought?
Patricia: The Beatles’ Greatest Hits.

PC: First concert you attended?
Patricia: The Grateful Dead.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Patricia: The Hollywood Bowl.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Patricia: My Bose noise-canceling headphones.

To keep up with Patricia, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Every Heart One Love” today.