Interview with - Like Wild
Despite the fact that his fledgling musical project, Like Wild, is a pop-infused folk outfit, it was fitting that Patrick Hatt showed up to a Halloween party he hosted last Friday dressed as punk rock legend, Sid Vicious, of Sex Pistols fame.
“When I was young I was really into punk rock, and that’s what got me into indie music realm,” said the 20-year-old Lancaster resident. “Me and my girlfriend were looking to do a couples outfit and originally the party was gonna be a punk rock Halloween, so she was Nancy (Spungen) and I was Sid.”
But listeners shouldn’t expect too much ‘70s punk-era filth and fury in the music of Like Wild. Hatt’s project, which he began last summer after parting ways with former band, Right Coast, features catchy melodies, themes of Americana and self-determination (but without blatant political statements), and the occasionally sunny “oooh oooh ooohs” and “la-di-das.” But while his music is playful, Hatt says his newer songs are coming out just a bit darker and more intense.
With that as the general framework, Hatt shoots from the hip and makes heartfelt attempts at honesty in both his music and his life.
“I feel like a lot of artists in every genre write about places they haven’t seen, or make music for the sake of just being catchy,” Hatt said. “That’s fine for some people, but I want to talk about things I personally believe in or have truly done. I feel like if you write personal songs it’s a lot more believable when you play them live.”
Like Wild has performed live in the Lancaster area, most recently, an electric set at the Chameleon Club’s Lizard Lounge on October, 16, which Hatt said got nice and rowdy. He’s switching things up on December 6 with a gig at the Ephrata Main Theater.
“Playing solo at the theater and having a great sound system is gonna be great,” he said. “I’m planning on having a blast and a couple drinks.”
Hatt says he is hopeful for wild success for Like Wild, something that is budding in Lancaster and surrounding areas.
“I think Lancaster is great. Some people complain about it, but I mean, everyone complains about their hometown – it’s a pretty rad place whether you like metal or pop,” he said. “It’s good especially for the scene or style of singer/songwriter. There’s a lot of little bars and venues that support that.”
But as far as making his presence known, Hatt isn’t just hitting the pavement downtown, as important as that may be. He says he’s a true believer in the utility of online social media outlets like Facebook that have sprung into prominence in recent years.
And that, he says, is where un-signed musicians can make themselves known.
“I’m not anti-record label, but you should really only sign if it’s the right time and right situation,” Hatt said. “I see a lot of bands jumping to major labels and getting screwed over. The labels put money into them and then they don’t do what they originally wanted to do, get dropped, and are in debt.
“Nowadays there’s so much you can do to help yourself out. My EP I put out, the 2 song San Diego Sessions, since it was free, had triple the amount of people download it than I had people who bought anything. People love free music.”
Hatt says this is at least part his game plan for the time being.
“There are advantages to being unsigned,” he says. “With social networking there’s so much you can do for yourself. You don’t really need a record label. It’s not something I’m really worried about right now.”
Fans should keep an eye out for either a 7-or-so song EP or a full length, as well potential regional tours within the next several months, Hatt says. Such endeavors will spring forth from the singer/songwriter going about his musical life and daily life (he’s also an employee at Rachel’s Creperie on Queen Street in downtown Lancaster) the way he always has.
“I work on the music side and the business side every day, whenever I get some time, and it’s always different,” he said. “Right now it’s 6:15 p.m. and I haven’t done anything at all today; other days it’s not like that at all.
“I’m almost always on my computer or working on the music whenever I get some inspiration. And sometimes I just don’t feel it, and so I stop. But when I feel like it, I run with it.”
He runs like wild, one might say. - Bennett Campbell
