Forged by a sudden, tragic death, a song entitled, “Always see you (Wide Awake)” is singer/songwriter Lucas Ohio Pattie’s tribute to the loss of his long-time fan and mother.
A mix of Americana and rock, the soon-to-be-released album, Slingshot Kid by the 29-year-old and three-time Garlic Festival musician – who has deep family ties to Gilroy – features music from a medley of Bay Area artists such as music journalist and ukulele player Sylvie Simmons, along with The Shamblers musicians John Howland, Andrew Gibson and Mike Stevens.
In contrast to his two previous LP releases in 2006 and 2008, Lucas made several changes for Slingshot Kid including bringing on Jim Greer, producer of Foster The People (the American indi pop band behind “Pumped Up Kicks,” one of 2011’s most popular songs). He also teamed up with The Shamblers musicians and focused more heavily on the Americana and rock genres.
But something closer to home made a powerful yet unexpected imprint on Lucas’ newest album.
After being diagnosed with an early stage of a rare ovarian cancer in 2009 and successfully having it surgically removed, Lucas’s mother, Sage Pattie, was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2012. But unlike her previous bout with cancer, this time she had to go through chemotherapy, Lucas said.
“She bounced back after she was diagnosed and won the battle against ovarian cancer,” Lucas said. “It was a huge blow to the family that she was diagnosed again.”
Due to rare complications from her chemotherapy treatment, Sage died May 11, 2012 at the age of 55, less than a week before Lucas was scheduled to record Slingshot Kid
However, with the blessing of his family, Lucas continued with his plan to record because “it was what she would have wanted.”
“However difficult it may have been to record right after her death, it was the right time to make it happen. Recording was a really cathartic experience; (her death) really shaped the record because of the emotional state I was in,” Lucas said. “A lot of tears and a lot of emotion went into this record.”
Lucas said his mother was probably his No. 1 fan.
“My mom was the kind of woman that knew all (my songs’) lyrics and tried to make it to all my shows,” said Lucas, adding that his support from his family has been central to his success. “She always had my CDs playing in her car.”
The album’s first track, “Wide Awake” was co-written by Lucas and Howland. Envisioned May 17, 2012 – the final day of recording Slingshot Kid at Old School Studio in Caspar and less than a week after Sage’s death – the song honors the woman Lucas described as “the glue for my family.”
“Wide Awake” is one of my personal favorites,” added Lucas, saying that the song was selected as part of San Francisco’s KFOG Local Scene 10 CD, set for release this August. “If there was one song that I would want to make a mark, I would want it to be this song because it is such a tribute to my mother.”
Lucas, who currently lives in his hometown of Martinez, attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The burgeoning musician and his bandmates gained momentum playing on curbsides and coffee shops, eventually working their way up to larger venues like Downtown Brewing Co.
Lucas is very close to his grandparents, Mary Jane and Frank Pattie, who have volunteered at the Garlic Festival for 20 years and stopped in recent years due to their health. The two reside on a 10-acre farm on Redwood Retreat Road, a pastoral haven Lucas spent summer breaks at picking apples.
Lucas describes his musical style as Americana; an “umbrella” genre that encapsulates blues, rock ‘n’ roll, country and folk. He even dabbles in jazz and reggae.
Slingshot Kid is due for release this summer. Lucas will yet again grace the Garlic Festival stage; a performance that will serve as the official South County release of his newest album. Merchandise and all three of his albums will be for sale. Lucas is performing July 26 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Gazebo Stage.
Lucas’s CD’s are for sale at Rasputin Music in Berkley and San Francisco and at Cheep Thrills Records in San Luis Obispo. His CD’s can be purchased online on Amazon, CDbaby, or iTunes.
