The Ocala music scene is filled with talented individuals using their artistic abilities to create amazing entertainment. This month I had the pleasure of speaking to Summer Patterson a local singer/songwriter whose honesty and depth captures her audiences and them on a lyrical journey through the human experience.
Where did your love of music begin?
I have always felt a connection to music. I would spend countless hours of my childhood singing songs. I would play air guitar and air drums when I went to the store with my mom while I listened to my MP3 player. I also got into trouble a lot in school for beating on my desk. There was always a way to make life more musical, and I was always seeking out how.
Who or what are your current musical influences?
Sabrina Claudio, Alina Baraz, and Gabi Wilson or “H.E.R.” are some amazing female artists I’ve been drawing influence from recently. Justin Nozuka, Daughter, and Alicia Keys to name a few others that I always listen to for some added inspiration.
How has your music evolved since you’ve started?
When I first started writing music I was such a young mind. I had a lot of great ideas and wrote a lot of awesome lyrics that I couldn’t seem to put together in a way that made musical sense. It was honestly really discouraging for a while, and I hated everything I wrote so I took to learning a lot of covers and I think that honestly really helped me understand music more. Fast forward ten plus years, and I am still not quite where I want to be but I can confidently say that I have grown significantly as an artist.
As a singer/songwriter, from your perspective, what is needed to help the Ocala music scene flourish?
I think Ocala really needs an all age venue. Somewhere that people of all ages could go and enjoy the local talent. It’s hard having shows in bars that only allow those over twenty one, and I think that more people would come out if those restrictions weren’t there.
Being a singer/songwriter take us through your creative process.
Usually how it works is I’ll come up with something catchy on the guitar, and I’ll work to build upon that little that I have and start composing other pieces to add into a song. Then I’ll listen to what I have and I’ll just start writing lyric fragments and words that come to mind. It’s a process sometimes, but all good things take time.
What are your musical aspirations? Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years I really hope that I’m playing shows more regularly and making music a priority in my life. I’d really like to dabble more in other genres and practice other styles. I put music on the back burner for a while, but I’m planning a major comeback.
What is the most important aspect of being a local musician?
Being a local musician means a lot. I think more than anything it means supporting others in the scene. Going to local shows, engaging and encouraging through social media platforms, listening to music that others in the scene create, there are countless ways to support each other. That also means supporting your promoters and the people that really help you get your name out. Respect and appreciate those that are around you.
LISTEN: soundcloud.com/1940196971
