Feature Interview| FAT PAT: Calgary’s Jack-Of-All-Trades

In a city overrun with bass music talent, there are few that can stand out from the rest. Saltier, fatter (some say the fattest), and beefier, FAT PAT has built himself up as one of Calgary’s true hometown heroes. His glitchy style can taste crunchy or creamy, but it always fills a floor and draws people to parties here in town. Beyond producing his own music and slaughtering dance floors on the regular, he has also played important roles in the growth of our community by bringing PK Sound speakers and original visual design to our parties.

A visionary at clubs and festivals alike, his stunning creativity for stage design under the name Space Invaderz, takes a primary role in the experience of our parties. As aforementioned he is also part to blame for the incredible clarity and bass that exudes from our side of the world, as one of PK Sound’s key players. There are few people who have given as much effort to providing a blissful show experience as FAT PAT, and his love for the scene is due to the deep and long-running connection he has to it.

Last week I was lucky enough to sit and talk with the man himself, and ask a few questions about how he got started, and where he’s going next. You can catch FAT PAT at The Genesa Series‘ show this Saturday, March 7th, featuring Kursa (UK), Evoke (CO), FAT PAT, and Melo.Nade. Don’t miss out!

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How long have you been making music? Where did you start?

Around ’96 or ’97, I think I was 16 or 17. I was into house music back then, and started DJing with these super cheesy clubhouse vinyl’s that my friends and I got. We rented a RadioShack mixer then rented some turntables with pitch control. My friend’s sister worked at HMV and she got like these promo vinyl – the worst clubhouse music ever – and they were just giving the stuff out. We learned to beat match on those, DJing in his basement while his Mom is in the next room watching Family Feud.

What kind of sound were you going for with your Burger Time EP?

Burger Time was the beginning; it was me spreading my wings I guess, on my own. I made music that I wanted to hear, it was fairly experimental.

What about compared to the Psychic Salami EP?

It’s neat to see the progression, Burger Time was like someone gave a sword to a small child and I was just waving it around and having fun with it, I didn’t really know what I was doing. Then Psychic Salami I was sort of getting closer in touch with my musical self. I felt like I was actually exploring musicality a little more with that … and even what I’m making now is so much more in that music realm. Making a statement, putting emotion into musical form.

What are you working on at the moment?

Well, Melo.Nade and I are beginning an EP under the name Calmpound, and I think I’m going to do a FAT PAT album. Kursa is someone I’ve been in contact with on doing some collaboration work as well, and I’d also like to create an alter-ego … Gusto.

When I hear FAT PAT I think glitch hop, fat beats, “it’s gonna be a party”. How would you describe Gusto?

I don’t think I’ll define it with a genre, but it will be a lot more experimental. Initially I wanted Gusto to be my ‘party’ alter-ego, but the FAT PAT name is pretty established. That will continue being my marketable self, but Gusto will be where I really let my creativity out.

Alright, last one – who is your favourite local producer, and your favourite producer of all time?

Nightshades would be my hands down my favourite local producer. He’s not very well known but he’s part of the PK family. He’s a sound tech, toured with Excision, and he’s hungry for discovery and knowledge – he wants experience and to get really good at his craft. He’s an amazing Spanish guitarist. As for all time favourite, Dillinja and DJ Fresh are two big ones – and Amon Tobin. I loved Amon Tobin because the way he crafts, it’s almost like Aphex Twin but way more my style. Fresh. I really admire his storytelling style. It spoke to me, as I’m always trying to tell stories with my work. How he crafted breakdowns, with very big energy, when he really hit the mark on some of those DnB songs, for me it really resonated. Dillinja I just love, not as much the storytelling, but the sounds he was creating, grimy, and no one else was doing that back then so it’s the era I fell in love with.

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WORDS: Kiddo

ARTICLE PHOTO: Stoked On Photos