For starters, what bands were you a part of prior to your current project?
I've had a few projects in the past, but I don't look at that stuff now - leave the past in the past.
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?
I've written & recorded the songs for what will be the album - hopefully to be released by the end of the summer. I never write with themes in mind, but love, sex, drugs, escape...often make an appearance. I don't write with an agenda, so these themes constantly resurface in one way or another in the music.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
I'm inspired by everything I listen to - sometimes in a positive, and sometimes in a negative way. I can hear a nice refrain, style, what-have-you by a band & that can provide some kind of inspiration, but I can also hear something that really has no appeal for me at all, and that can also provide inspiration - more or less by virtue of the fact that inspires me to do something different - almost to come at things from the inverse angle...produce the opposite.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
No, but there are a lot of bands/artists that have had pretty profound effects on me - starting with a lot of the rock, soul, etc., that came out of the 60s & 70s - everything from Hendrix to Led Zepplin to the Motown stuff from those decades. Good tunes, good grooves, whatever, that was the starting point for me in terms of music that I really got into - and I go back to that stuff sometimes if I'm putting on something to listen to.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
Beyond rehearsals I don't have a preparation routine. Basically I chill out, have a couple of drinks...that's it.
What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?
This is a new project for me - I've done a few things in the past with different projects but I consider this to be something fresh. I've recently put out a couple of singles and a video as a way or promoting what will be the album release, and the response has been good.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
I think it would be a trip to tour with bands like the Pixies or Sonic Youth, just based on their music & audiences.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I'll be posting updates, material, etc. at patscarlett.com - people can check the stuff out there & see if they want to come out to a show.