LowellArts has launched a music program called the Featured Artist Series: Connecting You with the People Behind the Music. This monthly feature offers audiences a personal, insider view into the current music scene from the perspective of West Michigan’s talented performers. Check back on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month for a new article or interview from the featured artist. The April 2022 artist of the month is Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps.
Article by Sue Clements
Don’t miss out on a chance to hear this band. Three of them up on stage, but so much music! Rock, blues and I could swear there’s just a touch of country in one of the tracks. Clever, engaging lyrics, and Patty’s incredibly beautiful, raw voice are undeniable. You’ll hear songs that scream for you to jump up and down and dance. Then something a little quieter to reach out to and just listen. Combine that with irresistible guitar solos and drum riffs that you can get lost in. Oh and on top of all of that, these guys are so much fun to watch.
The journey started early for Patty. She shared, “My parents had the radio on a lot and I started singing with my dad in cover/jam bands at the age of six. I always had a cousin or a friend singing with me. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I wanted to do solos, starting with the role of Rizzo in Grease.” Patty’s dad died about three years ago. She shared, “I have his acoustic, which is the guitar I taught myself to play on.” Her mom would have the radio on leaning towards the heavier rock, whereas her dad preferred southern rock and jam bands. She added, “Looking through their vinyl, cassettes, and CDs, it’s a good mix of everything, really.”
Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps are Lucas Powell on guitar, Alec Klinefelter on drums and Patty who sings and plays bass. The three of them hail from Michigan, although she describes Lucas as nomadic. He’s currently living in Montana. Patty and Alec both live in Grand Rapids. She grew up close by in Marne and yes this rocker holds the title of Miss Coopersville 2014 (I couldn’t resist).
Besides their obvious instrumental skills, I asked Patty how she would describe what Alec and Lucas bring to the band. She shared, “Lucas and I have been writing music together since 2017. He also recorded, mixed, and mastered our latest single, “Do It for Me.” Alec loves driving the tour van and helped direct part of the “Do It for Me” music video. We all have different strengths and I think we found a great balance in skills and personalities.”
Patty mentions the band’s great opportunities as well as mishaps. “My fondest memory is of us sitting in a diner after playing to a really empty room. Nothing special even happened, I guess I just realized that these were my people.” That connection she’s talking about comes across as magic when they’re on stage. Their music is a celebration of who they are. No apologies. It’s honest and all there, the triumphs and the painful moments.
Patty talked about some or her favorite songs, some she felt were important. “I will never get tired of playing “Walking on My Hands”,” she shared, from Cheap Diction (released 6/2021). It’s a strong song. Right off you hear the tap, tap, tap of the drumstick, then the big, industrial in your face beat. I promise you’ll want to get up and move along with it. There’s no choice. You’ll want more! Her voice is right there with the strength of the music. A perfect compliment. Pay attention to the lyrics. This “was the first song Lucas and I wrote together,” she shared, “and the lyrics and melody hit me instantly. I just love the spirit of the song, which celebrates individuality and self-expression.”
Patty brought up the contrast between “Walking on My Hands” and the smooth, smoky, sexy track “Slo Mo” also from Cheap Diction. “I really love “Slo Mo,” which is very personal to me. I wrote that song when I was remembering a co-dependent relationship and the tension of the chords and the back-and-forth of the arrangement really deliver the emotion of the lyrics.”
“I Dabble in Rainbows”, also from Cheap Diction, Patty shared “is inspired by one of the worst shows we ever played as a band and tells the story of my musical journey so far. “This thing I’ve got, it’s a hand-me-down” is a shoutout to my dad and a lot of “Rainbows” is dedicated to my bandmates. Even when everything that can go wrong does go wrong, we try to make the best of it.”
You can see Patty PerShayla and The Mayhaps free, Sunday May 22nd at 2PM in Lowell. Chimera Design is celebrating 20 years in Lowell and sharing some of their favorite music. Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, Ryne Clarke, and Sandra Effert will give it their all on the Showboat Stage on the Riverwalk in Lowell. A great way to start off the summer concert season.
The Mayhaps are out there playing and looking forward to touring this year. “[We] played one very small tour (three shows) last summer, when we were still feeling things out,” she shared. (Patty also joined the Accidentals during their 2021 Vessel national tour.) It’s lining up to be an exciting summer. Almost every performance will be at a venue that’s new to them. “We’re back at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids (4/23) for Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s album release show, plus The Livery in Benton Harbor (4/22), and Otus Supply in Ferndale (4/24). So far, we are scheduled for Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario (international, baby!), Albany, NYC, and D.C., with more in the works.” They’ll be touring from late April to early May and plan to move to Nashville on June 1st.
Leave a Reply