(Oakville, ON) – The name Patrick Ballantyne is a name not familiar to most people but his list of song credits are. Ballantyne has co-written songs recorded by Big Sugar, The Trews, Tim Chaisson, Alli Walker and Meredith Shaw. Ballantyne, along with his friend Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar/Grady), co-wrote the hits If I Had My Way, Girlwatcher, I Want You Now and All Hell For a Basement. Ballantyne also co-wrote The Trews’ single Poor Old Broken Hearted Me which charted well for the band in 2007. Beat This Heart, a song co-written with Tim Chaisson, received nominations for “Song of the Year” by the East Coast Music Association and Music PEI.
But it wasn’t until 2008 when Ballantyne, who picked up his first guitar at age 14, released his own album – a self-titled album followed by Days of Rain in 2014. Earlier this year Ballantyne signed to Northwood Records who re-released his two albums along with some bonus tracks.
Now Ballantyne has a new project – a challenge that started out as a lunch-time dare over a few drinks. Ballantyne will be releasing one single per month for his Hit A Month challenge which started with the release of She Loves A Man back in February followed by Close Your Eyes in March and his latest single, Someone You Should Know, released on April 21, 2015. The latest single features CBC Searchlight contestants The Oh Chays.
Ballantyne also released a lyric video for the single I Follow You – off the Days of Rain album.
I caught up with Patrick Ballantyne this week to learn more about him, his music and his Hit A Month challenge.
JOEL – Thank you for taking this time for an interview. I would like to get to know you a bit before we get into what’s new with you. You’re based out of Oakville, Ontario. Are you from there originally?
PATRICK – No, I am originally from Windsor, Ontario, just a few hours down the 401. I moved up in the late 80’s. The 1980’s, not 1880’s as many believe!
JOEL – You’ve been in music, mainly as a songwriter, for many years. When did music enter your life? As what age did you get into music?
PATRICK – There were three factors, really. I lived on a very musical block. There were at least a couple of bands who practiced in their basements and my ear was glued to their windows. Secondly, CKLW radio was one of the premier Top 40 stations, not only in Windsor but also Detroit and the entire US Midwest. Their playlists over the years were my music lessons. And Top 40 back then was pretty inclusive and broad – Rolling Stones to 4 Seasons to Andy Williams to Isley Brothers to Johnny Cash to all the Motown music. If it was a great song, it got played, regardless of genre. And third, well, I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show when I was three. And all these years later, that event had a lasting impact.
JOEL – You basically got your start co-writing with Gordie Johnson and also penned songs with The Trews, Tim Chaisson and Meredith Shaw but you didn’t release your own album until 2008. How did you hook up with Johnson and why did you wait until 2008 to release YOUR first album, a self-titled album?
PATRICK – I’ve always recorded demos of songs, pretty much since I started writing. I met Gordie back in Windsor and he helped me with a few songs I was working on in a local studio. From there, and pretty much immediately, we started writing songs together. He was full time music, I ended up in law school but we kept up the partnership. A few of the Big Sugar songs have their roots back to Windsor when we started. As for why I waited to release an album? Well, that project really started off as more demos, but more professionally recorded with Mark Plancke at Sharktank Productions in Windsor. We had just finished recording Kelly “Mr. Chill”Hoppe’s solo record, which he recorded while Big Sugar was on hiatus. I guess I was kinda in the groove and loved what I heard so we recorded a bunch more songs which ultimately become my first album.
JOEL – How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you before?
PATRICK – I’m not so sure how to answer that. My two albums are made up of rather different songs stylistically, some are fairly heavy rock and roll, others pretty poppy, some have a tinge of country and rhythm and blues. As I said, in terms of range, it’s not so different than the radio stations I listened to growing up. Also, I’m a big Beatles fan.Their albums contained a broad range of styles but it always sounded like the Beatles. I think that’s something to emulate.
JOEL – Earlier this year you signed to Northwood Records who re-released your first album as well as Days of Rain (2014). How did you hook up with Northwood Records?
PATRICK – I’m a big fan of Ambre McLean, who is also on the label. I met Ambre when she opened for Meredith Shaw in London Ontario. I was deeply impressed by her and the subtle power in her performance and writing. Anyway…we kept in touch occasionally through Facebook. I mentioned my notion of releasing a bunch of singles, she mentioned I should talk to Matt Connell who runs Northwood. And the rest, as they say, is history.
JOEL – In February you began a challenge called Hit A Month where you are challenging yourself to issue a new single every month. So far you have released two singles and your third single, Someone You Should Know, is being released on April 21. What can you tell me about that single?
PATRICK – It was recorded live off the floor with my pals Kelly and Mike Authier, who perform as The Oh Chays. We did it back at the Sharktank with Mark Plancke. I guess it’s in a country-ish style. It’s pretty light hearted and hopefully fun! We did a second song that day called Mirror, Mirror which I’m also pretty excited about. It’s about as different a song as could be from Someone You Should Know. AND it’s about 7 minutes long which in terms of song length is a record for me. I’m usually all about editing, cutting, chop this beat, cut that word, lose that solo, delete that bridge…get it down to 2.45!!! Sometimes I have to let myself be self-indulgent and this is one of those times. I expect it will be out in a month or two or three…
JOEL – How do you choose what singles to release and how many singles are you planning to release for your Hit A Month challenge?
PATRICK – This started as a bit of a drunken lunchtime dare with a few friends. I’m lucky to have songs I’ve written that haven’t found a home with anyone else, so why not release them myself? That was the plan but songs like Someone You Should Know and Mirror, Mirror and even the last song Close Your Eyes were recently written and quickly recorded. I expect that will be the pattern, some older songs from my catalog, some brand new.
JOEL – Why did you decide to do this challenge? What are you hoping to accomplish with this challenge?
PATRICK – As I said above, drinking and decision making rarely go well together. As for the goal, well, as a songwriter, I hope to write songs people will enjoy and that performers will want to record. This is kinda like an aural business card.
JOEL – You’re also releasing a video for I Follow You from the Days of Rain album. What can you tell me about this release?
PATRICK – This was my manager Lulu Demaine’s idea. She had the idea to create a lyric video featuring dogs we know, those ever loyal and loving beasts following their masters and playing with other dogs. It’s a joyful and heartwarming video and really augments the tone of the song which originally stemmed from a bit of a darker place.
JOEL – Are you currently writing with anyone?
PATRICK – I am! And hopefully the fruits of that labour of love will be released soon! I also co-wrote You Got Love on Tim Chaisson’s recently-released record Lost in Light. I love Tim and I really love that song!
JOEL – Any plans for a new album anytime soon?
PATRICK – The ‘song a month’ endeavour may tap me out. But it may make some sense to package them up at the end of the year. Maybe polish them a bit so they are more consistent sonically. We’ll see.
JOEL – What have been some highlights in your career?
PATRICK – Honestly, having the opportunity to meet and work with and just HANG with so many wonderful musicians and writers. Being on stage with Big Sugar was certainly a high, as was playing guitar behind Meredith Shaw for a pile of shows, including several at the Bluebird in Nashville. And, I will never forget hearing If I Had My Way (by Big Sugar) on the radio for the first time. I’d never heard one of my songs on commercial radio. I was elated for about 20 seconds, then immediately started worrying about whether we had any other songs they might play. I guess we did, mercifully!
JOEL – Is there anything else you would like to add or plug?
PATRICK – Well, I mentioned Meredith Shaw who I adore and I’m so lucky to work with. Big Sugar is still releasing compelling records and their stage show just gets better and better. Keep an eye open for Alli Walker who is writing and recording some killer modern country. And The Oh Chays, y’all…righteous and wonderful.
JOEL – Thank you for your time!
PATRICK – And thank YOU for your interest!
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