Patrick Mays is a singer/songwriter from a small town in the Bay Area, Ca. His music ranges from soul to punk, and folk to pop with influences ranging from Jimmy Eat World to D'Angelo. 

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Pat Mays is the sole singer/songwriter behind Hot Box Weather.

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Hot Box Weather? How long has the band been around?

I previously wrote, performed and recorded for bands such as Worthwhile, Second to Last (now Crooked Teeth), and played bass for bands like Defiler (now Painless), Next Door to the Moon, Dream Haze, and I've been playing in bands since 2005.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Hot Box Weather was a "highdea" for lack of a better term back in 2014. It was created while literally hot boxing an old drummers car somewhere in Union City/Hayward, Ca referring to the rain coming down, and the dark clouds that day. It was intended to be used to help categorize the different projects, and genres I create, and is currently the post emo/pop punk handle I use today.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Most of the songs I've written, to generalize, have been about loss, and letdowns, but finding hope in the recovery process. I think that I really needed to get these thoughts, and ideas off my chest, and might still have more relating to that general idea. Needless to say with time I'm learning more, and living differently so I believe change is sort of inevitable at some point.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

I've always leaned towards this genre growing up (rock, pop, indie, emo). I think the inspiration for this album really started when I was introduced to "Clarity" by Jimmy Eat World in 2012 or so. I had already knew about "Bleed American for years before that, but this album just really connected with me. I also discovered American Football around that time, and always loved bands like Yellowcard, and Smashing Pumpkins.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Honestly, since I was 8 years old I knew I wanted to be a performer. This was before I had ever seen any show. When I first started writing music I was listening to boy bands, and pop like Backstreet Boys, but those songs never saw the light of day thank God.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

I definitely enjoy some yoga. I'll go through my sunset salutations before, and after my set. Earlier in the day I like to hit the elliptical or a hike when I can.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

The finishing, and release of this record is really my biggest accomplishment on my own so far. I took a lot of time to gather up the money to record on my own.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Right now my goal is to hit a tour with my friends in Dream Haze, Goldview and I would love to have Ever Elsewhere on it. They're the kind of bands I would want to be associated with. Of course it would be a dream to open for Jimmy Eat World, William Ryan Key, Mineral, Transit, or Braid. Too many more bands to shout out I'd love to open for.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Regardless of what happens I'll be making music as long as possible, and I'm excited for people to hear what I've done so far. I really appreciate the platform from you guys, and I'm grateful for where I am today.