We live in a society where pop music, with catchy choruses and recycled beats, saturate our airwaves. Fortunately, for music goers, legends such as Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello offer quality music, one that over time never loses its authenticity. Procuring music that sustains the passing trends is difficult, but nonetheless, possible. Celebrating the musicianship of famed artists and the traditions of our musical ancestors provides contemporary artists with inspiration, knowledge and tools to continue to sculpt music with texture and vibrancy. Kenneth Pattengale is one artist whose work merits the same praise.

Evil Monito had the privilege to sit down and talk to Pattengale about life as a young musician, and his place in the industry. Sitting on a street-side café in Eagle Rock, CA, Pattengale waited with a cigarette and coffee in one hand, and a fork (for his late morning breakfast) in another. As any ‘true’ ambidextrist, he was able to manage all three, while offering a welcoming, “hello.” However, it came to no surprise. This sprite fellow happens to be a singer/song-writer, record producer, and film composer. At the age of twenty-six, Pattengale’s resume is extensive. He has produced numerous short films, two features, and a handful of artists, including his own label mate, Matt Taylor and his Laurels and Interscope’s established, From First to Last.  He even included a formal education into his schedule. Making it a priority, Pattengale graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern California. So where does an individual gain such ambition?

With a charming and an amicable disposition, Pattengale began to divulge his dirty, little secrets. Well, actually, they were neither dirty nor secretive, but they were in fact, interesting tidbits about how he was nurtured into music and what direction he sees his career going. At the age of four, Pattengale started playing the cello and studied classical music for fourteen years. He shares, “I came from a musical background where my parents are both musicians. It was natural for me to transition into song writing and producing. Although, I started at an early age, I was not a prodigy or anything.” Perhaps, Pattengale’s modesty assisted him along the way, because if anything, he pares fairly short from being prodigious. But he feels, he was like any average, “normal child living in Los Angeles, listening to Guns N’ Roses and Rage Against the Machine.” At some point, “I made a departure into big band jazz music and the likes of Duke Ellington. In a strange way, that led me to Tom Waits and country western musicians like John Kline and Chris Smither. Recently, I’ve been listening to Joe Henry. He has become a namesake and phantom family in my life. When you listen to my records, you can see a lot of Joe’s influence.” he adds.

Drawing from emotive and classic elements of “road house blues, Americana and folk,” Pattengale discusses how his music reads “like a jigsaw puzzle.” Although his albums waver between wistful lullabies and a rhapsody of “swampy, junk-yard” bluegrass, Pattengale curates a romantic and lulling quality in each production. Evocative of Muddy Waters and Otis Rush, his music swells with emotion. It spawns across mid-western valleys and southern terrains with a nomadic-like quality, vulnerable and open to interpretation. His narrations personify a sense of loneliness that is familiar and dawning.

His sixth album to date, Storied Places, parted from his indie label Four Six Productions  and for the first time was released by Milan Records. It was not until his completion of the German animated film “Die Drei Rauber,” or in English “The Three Robbers,” did the album come into fruition. “The time I spent working on the film, I worked with new classical instruments and got weird with the percussions. It was very stimulating coming out of that experience. In films, you are not as focused on narratives and there are clear parameters. It’s a great way of expressing yourself as an artist without having to be so accountable for it. It was a part of my life where I could explore different venues.This record is a culmination of a year following that project.”

Storied Places opens with a torrent of poignant lyricism and heart wrenching melodies. It casts hues of bright memories and sullen allegories. Sorting through a combination of tales, Pattengale feels “the album is not a grand story. The title of this record is wrapped up as a cute synonym for what the song is- all things are little stories. The title of the record comes from a lyric in one of the songs that describes one unifying philosophy- telling a story through images and fine details of who we are.” Pattengale’s music definitely carries a great amount depth. “In an abstract way, I am telling of myself,” he shares. “My music is not supposed to bring clichéd emotions to the forefront. I’ve never asked the listening audience to be interested in me breaking-up or getting my heart broken. Of course, that is what the songs are about, but if you can write the emotions into different characters, then I feel this record is setting up what these songs intend to be, relatable, not conceptual.”

As a young maestro, bridging the gap between vintage and contemporary music can be challenging. Although he was pleased with the outcome of the music video “Freckles,” he feels “record labels suggest videos as a means of getting exposure or promoting oneself. For me, it is just about getting attention. I could be poll dancing and it would not make a difference.” For those very reasons, Pattengale decided to create something he could be proud of. It took him about two weeks to shoot and edit the footage. The ending result was majestic. However, there are a lot of pressures within the industry. As for Pattengale, “There is something to be said about the voices that are limited. Part of the tool set of being a good musician is being able to recognize that at some point, if you are making sure the project is well thought out and there is raw emotion put into it, you should be o.k. with it.” On the other end, “I think there is something predetermined about it. So, I’ve never considered how I am perceived. I focus on being honest and genuine.”

When Pattengale completed the album, roughly thirteen songs were edited. He has another album waiting to breath; “one more adventurous and potent.” Unlike most artists, Pattengale is not chasing the green, but following his dream with integrity and talent by his side.

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For more info on Kenneth Pattengale, please visit: http://www.kennethpattengale.com/kpa/