Canadian-born drummer Katie Patterson is a multi-award-winning international performer based in London. She throws her huge energy into a variety of different projects: some with friends, some to educate, some fun and some challenging.
Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, drummer Katie Patterson moved to the UK to study at Leeds College of Music in 2008. She finished in 2011, and has since been building endless connections around the country, playing with bands of all genres and backgrounds. This has resulted in quite an exquisite CV, and a broad range of musicians who speak about what a wonderful drummer and all-round human being she is.
International Women’s Day gives us a chance to shed light on some of the amazing women in this industry. There have always been women pushing their way through male-dominated work spaces, but as the years go by and Patterson has spent “more time behind the kit” (as she puts it), she’s realised that it’s not so much about gender, or proving oneself. For her, it’s more about finding her path in music, feeling fulfilled and working with the best musicians possible.
“It’s more important for me to play with musicians that I trust, even if it’s someone I meet for the first time. You know that feeling straight away, don’t you?”
Patterson speaks about that layer of trust and how it’s helped shape her as a drummer and as a person. “When someone knows you so well and you feel completely free to just do whatever, you’re not second guessing yourself, or worrying about what to do. Developing that trust, I think, is the common theme in all the different styles I play. Over time, I’ve learned to accept that I can bring different influences to whatever I play and I don’t have to sound like a certain thing. I’m cool with sounding like me. It’s been a real relief!”
While this feeling of confidence and trust is universally important, there is a question of whether women develop it later in their careers, due to spending earlier years defending their right to take up space on stage.
“I fought my whole life to not be looked at as the singer.” Patterson says. She later realised, however, that “singing was a reason to be involved in the music in a different way, contributing to the harmony and the melody and more. It’s a massive challenge… but over time I gained confidence to sing more in original projects and make things exciting for myself in that way.”
Now, Patterson doesn’t let these things worry her as much. The result is her involvement in a very extensive, diverse range of bands, which all bring her fulfilment and push her creatively to be a better drummer. Here she lists all the bands, delving into their different creative processes and backgrounds: some with friends, some to educate, some fun and some challenging. With a list as long as her arm (maybe even to the tip of her drumstick!), find a summary below, bringing a spotlight to projects and music that have Patterson’s contribution.
“We’re just about to release our second album, also featuring Luke Pinkstone and Liam Dunachie. We have been friends for a long time now and the band just gels.”
“[The band] can also feature a string quartet or other instrumentalists. We play a variety of jazz with pop sensibilities, combined with traditional piano trio, highlighting Ilario’s classical Italian roots. Second album coming soon!”
Women’s Words, Sisters Stories
“A project with pianist and MD Alex Webb featuring female vocalist, Ineza Kerschkamp, with Charlie Pyne and me. It highlights female composers and lyricists within the world of standards.”
“With Karen Street on accordion, Sam Dunn on guitar, and Charlie Pyne on double bass, we play mostly gypsy jazz, Brazilian and tango/world music. It’s lovely!”
“A band with Nel Begley, Jamil Sheriff and Pete Turner, inspired by [written] plays. We choose a play, study it and then write music, not telling the story but reflecting on the themes of it. When playing live, there are free improvisations between songs, usually like pop song formats, riffs, spoken word. I do a lot of singing as well. Really fun. We’re finishing mixing our second album at the moment.”
“We’ve been touring since 2017 all over the UK playing the best rock songs in theatres. We’re in the process of reworking the entire show, celebrating Led Zeppelin. And of course, I get to do a big drum solo every show!”
Patterson also plays for cinematic doom spoken-word artist Jemma Freese, as well as her own Sci-Fi Cantina Band that focuses on famous sci-fi music from the likes of Star Wars and Ghostbusters.
With the shapeshifting nature of her job, it’s a wonder Patterson ever sleeps, but she reiterates that this way of working is food for her soul. “Whatever gig I’m doing, I want to respect the music as much as possible.”
She moved to London in 2016, and feels like it’s been the best thing for her career. “Since moving to London, I’ve not yet felt a need to start up my own project again [like composing my own music], because all of my creative boxes are ticked. I’m very lucky!” She seems to have settled into the city, and herself as a musician, and everything’s coming up roses. “I love just being in the moment and going for it. All you can do is what you can do. I think about that all the time. This is me, right now, so that’s what you’re going to get.”
Katie is endorsed by Bosphorus cymbals and Evans drumheads.
