Esmé Patterson has performed in the CPR Performance Studio several times over the past five years. Her latest session marked a milestone: the 400th performance we've recorded for OpenAir Sessions.
More from OpenAir Sessions:
- Hoots & Hellmouth Changes Musical Lanes On New Album 'In The Trees'
- Seratones Find An Intersection Of Gospel And Garage Music On 'Get Gone'
- HVN -- A New Band From Kid Astronaut -- Performs At CPR's OpenAir
The Colorado native this year released her third studio album, "We Were Wild." It's an introspective album that reflects on her recent 30th birthday and leaving her former band Paper Bird. It's also the first she recorded outside Colorado, in her new home of Portland, Ore.
Patterson performed four songs from "We Were Wild" in our studio. She spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the subject matter of the new album, the contrast between Portland and Denver, and getting whiplash while filming a recent music video.
Stream the session and watch Esmé Patterson perform "No River" above. Read interview highlights below.
Esmé Patterson on her new approach to recording "We Were Wild":
"For my first two records it was orchestrated and arranged, but also pretty off the cuff. In those records I wanted to have a lot of natural energy. This one, I really took my time with it and tried to make all the sounds perfect. And perfection is impossible."
Patterson on how moving to Portland has changed her songwriting:
"Coming back here, it's so sunny ... you just want to sing happy songs, you're like: 'Yeah! Life is so cool! The sun's shining!' Then you're in Portland ... and it's gloomy outside and you want to go inside and be cozy. And hide in your room with your guitar.
"I guess the songs are a lot more introspective and there's a dark heaviness to them, since I moved to Portland and started writing there."
Songs performed:
- "No River"
- "Wantin' Ain't Gettin'"
- "Find It"
- "Feel Right"
