Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Patrick Droney

Since the release of his 2018 self-titled debut EP, a lot has changed for soulful singer-songwriter Patrick Droney. He signed with Warner Records, appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, had his song placed on Grey’s Anatomy, played a sold-out show at Barclays Center for Tidal X, and has clocked over forty million Spotify streams.

But if you ask Patrick about his biggest accomplishments, he’ll be the first to tell you that it’s connecting with an audience and living a dream that’s not promised. That relationship with his craft and fans has inspired Patrick to lean into his most authentic self, shining light on the human condition, which is beautifully encapsulated in his latest offering, State of the Heart.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Patrick to discuss the past two years, State of the Heart, and the lessons he’s learned.

PC: You released your self-titled debut EP in 2018, and a lot has changed in the last two years. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Patrick: Man, it’s been a blur. That EP was such an important plot point for me because it was a long journey from the beginning with that music. The year following after that was so organic and cool. The music started to translate. That was the biggest thing for me. I was finally out of my shell, out of the studio, out of the writing room, and just having conversations with fans. That cemented what we’re about to hear with State of the Heart. There’s a different intention when I know the people I’m writing for. I’m having a conversation with my audience. There have been so many highlights, but truly engaging with my fans in the last two years has been really special because of that first EP.

PC: You’ve been on a sixteen-year-plus journey with music. What’s one thing that you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Patrick: That’s a good question. I think that I always tried to understand that the road is long. When you’re younger, you’re a bit impatient. You want it to happen and you want it to happen now. I’m grateful that I came to the realization pretty young that this was going to be a process and it’s going to take time. Looking back, I would tell that kid to enjoy every moment you have right now because nostalgia’s a real thing. There’s always something ahead of you, but the right now is all you got, especially those early days playing blues and playing with the guys that are no longer here.

PC: You’ve talked in the past about the importance of finding that one champion when you’re pursuing a career in music. Who was that person for you?
Patrick: Oh man, I’ve been really lucky to have a number of champions, starting at home with my parents. My dad was my first champion and is still my biggest champion. I feel so grateful to have had that formative enthusiasm to go chase the things I love from my parents. Musically, I’ve met some incredible people along the way. It’s hard to name names because I stand on so many shoulders. But when you get the respect of your peers or people that you respect, it’s really special. I’ve always tried to maintain having mentors in my life, whether it be Glen Ballard, for instance. He’s a mentor of mine. At any given point, you’re able to teach somebody who might be a couple miles behind you. No matter if you’re still starting out, you have that perspective. You should always have that conversation: how can I help somebody? How can I be helped and learn?

PC: What can fans expect from State of the Heart?
Patrick: Oh man, I’m so excited. It’s a continuation of what I started with the EP. The first EP, I made sure to have a breadth of feeling and intention. I come from a couple of different places, genre wise, as far as my pop influence, my blues influences, and my soul influences. With State of the Heart, it’s a little more straight on target as far as intention. There’s a lot of big sonic statements and production. I’m really, really proud of it. But at the end of the day, this whole record, it’s going to be about the songs, the actual songwriting of it, and telling stories. I’m trying to touch on the human condition. I feel like we all live in various states of the heart. I’m trying to mine that theme the best I can but through the pursuit of some pretty big sonic endeavors. It’s going to be really exciting to have this first half. Then when the full length comes out to be an actual body of work.

PC: You released your self-titled debut EP as an independent artist. What is it like now to have the backing of a major label?
Patrick: It’s been amazing to work with Warner Records. I have a team that believes in what I do and tries to elevate my vision. The only real difference is I have more. I have more minds. I have more color to paint with. I’m really grateful that I have a team who just lets me do what I need to do and what I want to do with my creative process. It’s been really fun. I feel grateful to have the path to be able to put music out and know it’s going to be heard. It’s something I don’t take for granted at all. But nothing really changes. At the end of the day, it starts and ends with me. I have to be the one that wants it more than anybody. I’m really inspired now that I have more people to show up for.

PC: You also said in a recent interview that timing is everything when releasing new material. How did you know that this was the time for State of the Heart?
Patrick: Oh man, when you asked me a question about the last two years, it’s kind of weird because I think about this last year, it’s kind of a vortex. It was really important for me to offer something in this time of separation. I felt really compelled the second everything started going down with this era to start putting music out. I can’t play shows, so I really think what I can do in my responsibility as an artist is to give. It feels like now is the perfect time for this intention and this project. Honestly, there’s no better time. It’s been really nice to lean into the record side of things, to be in the studio, and to use my intention creatively in that way versus being on the road, which I would love to be doing. But I feel really grateful to be offering something right now to people the best I can.

PC: If you had to choose one song off of State of the Heart that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Patrick: Great question. I’m going to cheat and give you two. [laughs] “Glitter,” to me, is everything that I want to be as a songwriter, as a storyteller, as somebody who’s making the ordinary into something more. It’s the essence of what I’m trying to do as a songwriter. Then a song called “Right with You.” It encapsulates that energy I told you about me having to run towards this thing. The vastness, the colors, the guitar, the vocals. My heroes are [Don] Henley, [Bruce] Springsteen, and [Eric] Clapton. I’m trying to honor the roots of the great front men that I look up to and front women, honestly. That’s a hard question, man! But definitely, I’m inspired by knowing that I’m leaning into my most authentic self with all of this music.

PC: Speaking of shows, you’re an artist who thrives on the stage. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on the road?
Patrick: Oh man, everything changes. That’s a line from “Passerby.” The road must be respected. You have to understand it’s like a weather system: you have to go with the flow. It also taught me to really be present and there’s beauty in vastness and all these different places. People are so different, even just towns apart. It’s always given me a perspective to know there’s more out there. If you’re stuck in a small town, you think this is all there is. There are so many people out there, so many places to discover. Also, make sure there’s air in the tires of the van. [laughs] It’s little things.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Patrick: I’m a big Sarah McLachlan guy.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Patrick: That’s a good one too. My dad played From the Cradle, which is a record that Clapton did that was very, very blues, very live in the studio. It was one of my first tangible memories of buying the cassette. I put it in his old BMW and felt music in a different way. I felt the air being pushed through the amps. Whenever I play that record, I think about that car ride. That was a formative experience musically.

PC: Someone you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
Patrick: There are so many people. I love Maggie Rogers. We went to school together back in the day. I respect the hell out of what she’s doing. Justin Vernon’s a true hero. That’s a guy who I would just pull up to watch work, honestly. There’s so much great music happening right now and all the time. I’m really inspired by everybody who’s going out there and doing something. That list could be very long.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Patrick: Red Rocks. It’s so iconic, and it’s just something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Patrick: My inhaler. [laughs] My inhaler, lots of water, and Welch’s Fruit Snacks.

To keep up with Patrick, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream State of the Heart today.

Photo Credit: Cameron Powell