Band Profile: Tobacco Pat
Band: Tobacco Pat (www.myspace.com/tobaccopat)
Genre: Folk/Indie/Country
Sounds Like: Bright Eyes
Based out of Jacksonville, Florida
I went to school in the heart of the south, Florida State University in Tallahassee. One of the biggest culture shocks I've ever gotten in my life was interacting with southerners.
I was born in Mexico City, and raised by a New Yorker in Miami, so I find my comfort in crowded streets, high buildings, and the frenetic energy of a big city. The whole "laid back" lifestyle never made much sense to me, but after making friendships with people from places like Tampa, Dade City, Alabama, and Jacksonville it started to make more and more sense.
There is an inherent simplicity that comes from living in the south, a tenderness and a desire for the satisfaction of base needs. The emphasis being family, spending time with friends, and having enough money to live comfortably.
Here in Miami we have an extremely different mentality, although there is a huge influence of Latin culture and a strength in family values, at times it seems like it is more important to have a nice car, make a ton of money, and live the high life.
Yet, traveling anywhere north of the Miami-Dade County line, requires driving half a country before leaving the the South. In spite of the geographic closeness there is still a massive cultural distance that at times seems too great to cross.
I've always tried bringing the state closer together. The first band I ever brought down to Miami was Cocoa Beach's The Green Goblyn Project, followed closely by labelmates Thee Obscene. Even at REVMiami.com's Launch Party, I invited down Orlando-based The Still Voice to play a set.
I don't want to write about Jacksonville based Tobacco Pat's music solely through the lens of social importance, even though I sincerely believe that music can bridge all gaps between all people, and they are a band people in Miami would love. Their music speaks for itself: good music will break down any sort of distance between two different groups of people.
In an interview with BigSmileMagazine.com, Logan Farmer (who plays with brother Bobby Farmer in Tobacco Pat) said that his major influences are "Bright Eyes, Modest Mouse, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Fionn Regan, Arcade Fire, M. Ward, Califone, etc.", and they also remind me a lot of Mike Park. But before throwing them into a particular genre, I find a dynamic in their music reminiscent of the massive folk movement of the 60's - especially on their EP, The War.
Their music is an infused version of Folky Acoustic Indie with touches of Roots Country. Tobacco Pat is tender and emotional with vocal melodies at times minor but also reflective and introspective. Their lyrics are in the style of the great musical story tellers, painting a picture of the vulnerable years of post-teenage life.
The brothers recently signed onto St. Petersburg, Florida based Feels Like Home Records to release their upcoming full length, Everything Will Be Oklahoma, September 18, 2009. I hope to bring them down to play a "REVMiami.com Presents" show soon, keep an eye on the site for more information.
Below I've posted their song Hallelujah off their debut EP The War. Logan is also posting unmastered songs from their soon to be released full length on their myspace page as well.
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LINKS
Tobacco Pat: www.myspace.com/tobaccopat
Feels Like Home Records: www.myspace.com/feelslikehomerecords
Big Smile Magazine: www.bigsmilemagazine.com
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NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
Hey, Guys, Awesome job. Tobacco Pat has been awesome for years. You can catch the two at local clubs in Jacksonville. I already have War EP, and eagerly await any others that are released.
I'll never forget going to... I think it was called Jack Rabbits?? Maybe 7 years ago to see Mad Caddies, The Ataris, and Good Riddence. One of my favorite shows I've ever been to.