Patty Larkin
Encyclopedia
Patty Larkin is a Boston
-based singer-songwriter
.
Patty Larkin redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising vocals and lyrics. Acoustic Guitar
hails her “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone
praises her “evocative and subtle sonic shading.” She has been described as “riveting” (Chicago Tribune
), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly
) and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter).
. Descended from a long line of Irish American singers and taletellers, her mother was a painter, her sisters both musicians. She learned at a young age to appreciate the beauty and magic of the arts. She began classical piano studies at age 7, and became swept up in the sounds of pop and folk in the 60s, teaching herself the guitar and experimenting with songwriting in high school. An English major, Larkin sang throughout her high school and college career, starting out in coffeehouses in Oregon and San Francisco. Upon graduation from the University of Oregon
, she moved to Boston, Massachusetts and devoted herself to music, busking on the streets of Cambridge and studying jazz guitar at Berklee College of Music
and with Boston area jazz guitarists.
Her recording career began in 1985 with Philo/Rounder Records
where she recorded Step Into The Light, I’m Fine, and Live In The Square. In 1990, she signed to Windham Hill’s new High Street
label and delivered 4 highly praised releases: Tango, Angels Running, Strangers World and Perishable Fruit. After Windham Hill was sold to BMG, Patty moved to Vanguard Records
and released Agogo Live, Regrooving The Dream, Red=Luck and Watch The Sky. The latter was a NY Times Critic Choice. In 2010, Patty celebrates her 25th year of recording with 25, a stripped down retrospective of 25 love songs with 25 featured guests (Road Narrows Records/Signature Sounds).
Patty Larkin produced La Guitara, a compilation of international women guitarists challenging the notion that there are no great women guitarists. She has also performed on numerous compilations and her songs have been featured in the following films: “Regrooving the Dream” in Evolution
(Dreamworks
); “Good Thing” in Random Hearts
(Columbia Pictures
); and “Coming Up For Air” and “Tenderness on the Block” in Sliding Doors
(Miramax).
Patty Larkin is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Berklee College of Music. She has also been honored by Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino
with “Patty Larkin Appreciation Day” for her career in music and philanthropic contributions.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
-based singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
.
Patty Larkin redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising vocals and lyrics. Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar (magazine)
Acoustic Guitar is a monthly magazine published in the United States since July/August 1990 by String Letter Publishing. The magazine offers information related to acoustic guitars for players of all levels from beginners to teachers. Each issue includes a half dozen or so songs with notation and...
hails her “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
praises her “evocative and subtle sonic shading.” She has been described as “riveting” (Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
) and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter).
Biography
Patty Larkin grew up in a musical and artistic family in Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. Descended from a long line of Irish American singers and taletellers, her mother was a painter, her sisters both musicians. She learned at a young age to appreciate the beauty and magic of the arts. She began classical piano studies at age 7, and became swept up in the sounds of pop and folk in the 60s, teaching herself the guitar and experimenting with songwriting in high school. An English major, Larkin sang throughout her high school and college career, starting out in coffeehouses in Oregon and San Francisco. Upon graduation from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, she moved to Boston, Massachusetts and devoted herself to music, busking on the streets of Cambridge and studying jazz guitar at Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
and with Boston area jazz guitarists.
Her recording career began in 1985 with Philo/Rounder Records
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
where she recorded Step Into The Light, I’m Fine, and Live In The Square. In 1990, she signed to Windham Hill’s new High Street
High Street Records
High Street Records was a subsidiary label of Windham Hill Records from about 1990 to 1997. Notable acts who recorded for the label include John Gorka, Pierce Pettis, Patty Larkin, The Subdudes, and Dots Will Echo...
label and delivered 4 highly praised releases: Tango, Angels Running, Strangers World and Perishable Fruit. After Windham Hill was sold to BMG, Patty moved to Vanguard Records
Vanguard Records
Vanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
and released Agogo Live, Regrooving The Dream, Red=Luck and Watch The Sky. The latter was a NY Times Critic Choice. In 2010, Patty celebrates her 25th year of recording with 25, a stripped down retrospective of 25 love songs with 25 featured guests (Road Narrows Records/Signature Sounds).
Patty Larkin produced La Guitara, a compilation of international women guitarists challenging the notion that there are no great women guitarists. She has also performed on numerous compilations and her songs have been featured in the following films: “Regrooving the Dream” in Evolution
Evolution (film)
Evolution is a 2001 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott, Julianne Moore and Ted Levine...
(Dreamworks
DreamWorks
DreamWorks Pictures, also known as DreamWorks, LLC, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games and television programming...
); “Good Thing” in Random Hearts
Random Hearts (film)
Random Hearts is a 1999 film adaption of the novel of the same name. It is directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas.-Plot:...
(Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
); and “Coming Up For Air” and “Tenderness on the Block” in Sliding Doors
Sliding Doors
Sliding Doors is a 1998 British-American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Peter Howitt and starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, and featured John Lynch, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Virginia McKenna. The music was composed by David Hirschfelder...
(Miramax).
Patty Larkin is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Berklee College of Music. She has also been honored by Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino
Thomas Menino
Thomas Michael "Tom" Menino is the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, United States and the city's first Italian-American mayor...
with “Patty Larkin Appreciation Day” for her career in music and philanthropic contributions.
Personal life
Patty currently lives with her partner and two adopted children in Truro, Cape Cod, MA.Discography
| Date | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Album | |||||
| 1985 | Step into the Light Step into the Light Step Into the Light is the debut album by singer-songwriter Patty Larkin. Produced in 1985 and distributed by Philo Records, it contained the following songs:-Track listing:#"If I Were Made of Metal"#"Round and Around"#"It Better Be Me"#"Dodge Dart"... |
Philo Records Philo Philo , known also as Philo of Alexandria , Philo Judaeus, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria, Yedidia, "Philon", and Philo the Jew, was a Hellenistic Jewish Biblical philosopher born in Alexandria.... |
- | - | 1103 |
| 1987 | I'm Fine I'm Fine I'm Fine is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's second album. Produced in 1987 and distributed by Philo Records, it contained the following songs:-Track listing:#"Rescue Me"#"Justine"#"Window"#"Dangerous"#"I'm Fine"#"Pucker Up"#"Lately"#"On the Run"... |
- | - | 1115 | |
| 1990 | Live in the Square Live in the Square Live in the Square is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's third album, recorded live at Sanders Theatre, Cambridge Massachusetts. Produced in 1990, it was her last album on Philo Records, it contained the following performances:-Track listing:# The Letter... |
- | - | 1136 | |
| 1991 | Tango Tango (Patty Larkin album) Tango is the fourth album by singer-songwriter Patty Larkin, and her first on High Street Records. Produced by Larkin and Will Ackerman in 1991 and distributed by High Street, it contained the following songs:-Track listing:# "Tango"# "Used To Be"... |
High Street Records High Street Records High Street Records was a subsidiary label of Windham Hill Records from about 1990 to 1997. Notable acts who recorded for the label include John Gorka, Pierce Pettis, Patty Larkin, The Subdudes, and Dots Will Echo... |
- | - | 10312 |
| 1993 | Angels Running Angels Running Angels Running is the fifth album by singer-songwriter Patty Larkin. Produced by Ben Wisch in 1993 and distributed by High Street Records, it contained the following songs:-Track listing:# "Who Holds Your Hand"# "Do Not Disturb"... |
- | - | 10318 | |
| 1995 | Strangers World Strangers World Strangers World is the sixth album of Patty Larkin, a singer/songwriter from Iowa and based in Boston... |
- | - | 10335 | |
| 1997 | Perishable Fruit Perishable Fruit Perishable Fruit is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's seventh album. Produced by Ben Wisch in 1997 and distributed by High Street Records, it contained the following songs:-Track listing:# "The Road"# "The Book I'm Not Reading"# "Coming Up for Air"... |
- | - | 10354 | |
| 1999 | à Gogo: Live on Tour À Gogo: Live on Tour à gogo: Live on Tour is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's eighth album, her second live album, and her first on her label Vanguard. Produced by Larkin and Bette Warner in 1999, it contained the following performances:-Track listing:# "Wolf At The Door"... |
Vanguard Records Vanguard Records Vanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary... |
- | - | 79547 |
| 2000 | Regrooving the Dream Regrooving the Dream Regrooving the Dream is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's ninth album. It was produced by Larkin and Bette Warner in 2000 and distributed by Vanguard Records, it contained the following songs:-Track listing:# "Random Play"# "River"# "Only One"... |
- | - | 79552 | |
| 2003 | Red=Luck Red=Luck Red=Luck is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's tenth album. Produced by Larkin, Bette Warner, and Ben Wittman in 2003 and distributed by Vanguard Records, it contained the following songs:-Track listing:# "All That Innocence"# "24/7/365"# "The Cranes"... |
38 Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top Independent Albums |
US | 79727 | |
| 2008 | Watch the Sky Watch the Sky Watch the Sky is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's eleventh and most recent album. Released by Vanguard Records on January 22, 2008, it contains the following songs:-Track listing:# "Phone Message"# "Cover Me"# "Hallelujah"# "Beautiful"# "Dear Heart"... |
- | - | 79851 | |
| 2010 | 25 25 (Patty Larkin album) 25 is singer-songwriter Patty Larkin's twelfth album. Released by Road Narrows Records and Signature Sounds on March 9, 2010, it is a retrospective done in her 25th year as a professional recording artist and contains 25 songs, each recorded with backing from a different friend.-Track listing:#... |
Signature Sounds Signature Sounds Recordings Signature Sounds Recordings is an independent record label specializing in singer-songwriter, Americana, and modern folk music. Jim Olsen and Mark Thayer founded the label in 1995 to promote the acoustic artists playing in the Northampton, Massachusetts music scene... |
- | - | 2028 |
| Collaborations | |||||
| 1991 | Buy Me Bring Me Take Me: Don't Mess My Hair!!! (with Four Bitchin' Babes Four Bitchin' Babes The Four Bitchin' Babes is a group of female singer-songwriters with rotating membership, performing mainly humorous, satirical or light-hearted songs in the folk genre. The group was described as "slyly outre" writing songs about the "humorous satire of everyday life" with an "inherent charm"... ) |
Philo Records | - | - | 1141 |
| 2005 | La Guitara: Gender Bending Strings | Vanguard Records | - | - | 79796 |
External links
- Patty Larkin's official website
- Patty Larkin's official Facebook Fan Page
- Patty Larkin on Twitter
- FolkLib entry for Patty Larkin
- Review of "Red=Luck" on Out.com
- Review of "Watch the Skies" and interview on Chicago Free Press
- Patty Larkin: 25 Songs, 25 Friends, 25 Years - interview by NPRNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...