Click Five Global

Pledgemusic's interview with Kyle Patrick

• Pledgemusic: You’re about to release your solo EP in July after partnering with your fans through a PledgeMusic campaign. What made you turn to fans to replace a record label, and what has that process been like for you?
• Kyle: Yes! I’ve been focusing my energy on the new music and want it to be different than what I’ve done in the past. Because of that I want the release process to be different too. I’ve been through the major label world before and really enjoyed parts of it and also feel things could have been done differently at times, so now this is my chance to do it independently and learn from my past and put my own twist on releasing music. It’s an ever-changing industry, so staying ahead of the curve is something I’m always thinking about, especially musically. The fans are the reason this whole project is coming to life, and I’m blown away by that fact. It wouldn’t happen without them.
• Pledgemusic: You were recently featured on CBS News’ series Glory Road talking about your work as an MTV EXIT celebrity ambassador to stop human trafficking. Tell me about that organization and what drew you to the cause.
• Kyle: The team at MTV EXIT is incredible, and I’m so fortunate to have that feature on Channel One News. EXIT is filled with such amazing people that are so dedicated to making a difference, and it’s contagious. They are working to raise awareness of human trafficking and ultimately stop it. They use stadium-sized concerts and documentaries with celebrities to spread the word. I met them in 2008 when my band, The Click Five, was asked to perform one of their concerts in Asia. That was my introduction to the issue. Growing up in Georgia I had no idea what human trafficking was. I learned from the EXIT team that these awful things were happening, like sex slavery and forced labor, on that trip and have been involved ever since.
• Pledgemusic: I know you’ve been involved with the cause in several capacities, even outside of just music. How do you try to spread the word about human trafficking?
• Kyle: These days, because I’m in the States, I’ve seen the most impact from social networking. It’s amazing actually. I see fans interacting with MTV EXIT on Twitter or Facebook, and with that I know I’m starting to make a difference. Word of mouth really is the most beneficial thing for me currently, and then any chance I get I’ll join with MTV EXIT on site … It looks like I’ll be heading over to Asia again this summer for shows and will join up with them along the way as much as I can.
• Pledgemusic: You recently went to Cambodia and saw firsthand some of the work MTV EXIT has been doing there. What did you see and how did it affect you?
• Kyle: The moment I remember the most was performing at a shelter and feeling like the music we were playing was giving the girls an escape from their reality. They were able to forget their pasts, which are very intense and cannot be described, at least not by me. Human trafficking is terrible and wrong, and it needs to stop. I really want to focus on the future of the survivors and shining a light on their potential, so anything I can do to help facilitate that is great. Music is very powerful, so those moments I was able to provide an escape stuck with me. It really is a fantasy world that they can go to and get away, and in a lot of ways help them remember what it’s like to be a regular kid.
• Pledgemusic: You talk about your new record being upbeat, high-energy music. How did you achieve that sound? What was some of your inspiration for this project?
• Kyle: The inspiration came a lot from live shows and feeling a certain energy in the audience when these types of songs happen – big songs that are singable and fun. I want people to feel free when they hear them. That’s a lot of the message behind them lyrically as well. There will also be a song or two that are more vibey and focus in closer on my voice, so I’m excited about those too. Overall I just want to write great songs and make a great record that people want to put on when they do something big, or to pre-game with and dance to.
• Pledgemusic: You mention that you like to experiment with sound, and I know you grew up playing several instruments in addition to singing. What kinds of sounds have you been experimenting with lately?
• Kyle: [I] love being in the studio and using it as an instrument itself. With technology today, there are so many tricks and tools you can use to create interesting and different sounds. My voice is my thumbprint, so I’ve been working on sounds and arrangements to support it and the song. [I’ve been] experimenting a lot with synthesizers and mixing that with some more organic sounds like recording Wurlitzer electric piano but treating it to make it sound like it’s floating or like it’s pumping with the drums and has a life of its own – more like a synthesizer. There are also programs that can make my voice sound like a dinosaur, so we get days and days of entertainment out of that in the studio. I’ve been working mostly with my good friend and amazing producer Jared Scharff, who is incredibly talented and has me trying a lot of new methods, especially with drums.
• Pledgemusic: Anything else you’d like to add?
• Kyle: A big thank you to everyone who’s been a part of this record so far. It literally would not be possible if it weren’t for the Pledgers. It’s been exciting showing everyone the behind-the-scenes world of making the record. It’s all a new process for me and I’m doing it all independently, so having the support of the fans has kept me going like you wouldn’t believe.