Born into a musical family, singer/songwriter/producer Patra Kay was four years old when she gave her first public performance busking alongside her dad. He played harmonica whilst she sang and hit a lagerphone (showing an early aptitude for creating beats!).
The melodic electro-pop sensibility and beguilingly strong vocals running through the piano-driven songs on her up-and-coming debut EP is the result of a confluence of influences.
Raised on a steady diet of Australian bush and folk music (her grandfather Harry Kay formed the original Bushwackers), Patra’s first exposure to pop music wasn’t until a chance encounter with her best friend’s CD walkman on a Grade 5 school excursion: “It was the first time I had heard Brandy, Mariah Carey and the Spice Girls, I was hooked!” From there, she moved on to the more experimental pop of artists such as Sia, Imogen Heap and Kate Miller-Heidke.
The self-produced EP features Patra Kay’s incredible vocals flowing into rich sound scapes and chest-thumping beats crafted by Patra herself with long-time collaborator audio engineer Adam Wilson.
Part pop seductress, part innocent ingénue, Patra is an always captivating live presence. Joining her on stage is the ace rhythm section of bassist Sonja van den Berg and drummer Alistair Cook. Together they put on a show full of powerfully soulful songs shot through with haunting piano and deep seductive grooves.
Patra Kay: I Am At War
This song was written using ‘War’ as a metaphor for the ongoing battle between the heart and mind. The track features crisp drums, powerful vocals, solid staccato electric keys with some strings that give the track a real cinematic twist.
Patra Kay – I Am At War (Official Video)
Patra Kay: I Am At War Lyrics:
I think I’m in love
But I can’t decide which part of me is in love with you
My heart sings a song
But my mind tells me I’m wrong I should not ignore its view
But feelings aside
Is it a very logical thing that I should do?
But feelings can hide
Something very special that just needs a little excuse
I am at war, And I don’t know
What I’m fighting for
What I’m fighting for
Yes I am at war, And I don’t know
What I’m fighting for
Can I fight at all?
Sorry if I’m on and off
Like I’m dealing with something that is most trivial
Umming and ahhing
As I look at all the positives of me and you
It used to be so simple
But you’ve got something about you that makes it hard to choose
I am at war, And I don’t know
What I’m fighting for
What I’m fighting for
Yes I am at war, And I don’t know
What I’m fighting for. Can I fight at all?
Do I really love you? Or is it just that I needed you?
Do I really love you? Or is it just that I needed too?
I am at war
And I don’t know
What I’m fighting for
What I’m fighting for
Yes I am at war
And I don’t know
What I’m fighting for
Can I fight at all?
