Western Canadian alt-pop auteur Amelie Patterson is a songwriter’s songwriter. Amelie’s poetic predisposition has landed her a golden reputation as both an artist and a community builder. An indie-rock raconteuse with a curiosity for evoking emotion through sonic texture and a penchant for precision in the written word, her cunning folk songs and powerful full-band performances have earned her a reputation as one of western Canada’s best songwriters, enough to merit becoming the first-ever poet-laureate of Banff, Alberta. An industrious auteur and a consummate connector, Amelie elevates her craft and community as the founder of songwriting society Pre-Death, Pro-Fame, and with her production and songwriting project We Are Crickets which has placements as substantial as McDonalds Singapore.
Her latest single is The War, an anthem “for those who need it”. It's a song about recognizing the invisible struggles that others are going through, and finding your own place as you lend support for a battle you can’t fight. Both investing your strength in the struggles of others and also recognizing what calls you to fight, so you can “win your own death.” The War was recorded in Calgary with producer Will Maclellan (Phoebe Bridgers, Paul McCartny, Taylor Swift) with long-time collaborators Barry Mason, Carson Gant and Kyle Tenove. A deeply intimate and vulnerable vocal take is cradled by guitar tone nostalgic of vinyl recordings, and held aloft by organic instruments and a dynamic rhythm.
Patterson filmed a music video for The War with cinematographer Simon Slade, using puppets and puppetry from Longrass Studios. Using the emotive stylings of puppets to enact a conversation that is the subtext of the lyrics of the song; everything Patterson wishes she knew to say in an honest and difficult conversation.
Following the release of The War, Pattersons full length record will be released in May. The songs that make up The War are a unique emotional and auditory pathway, allowing Amelie to “walk you hand in hand through the human condition." Each song on the EP has developed over years and each came into shape with its own set of collaborators including producers Brayden Bell (Shuffalo, We Are Crickets), Will MacLellan, Brock Geiger (Reuben and the Dark) and Phenix Warren (Michael Bernard Fitzgerald). Anchored by delicate acoustic guitar, Amelie’s sophisticated folk foundations are adorned with polite instrumentation cueing dramatic depth that echoes contemporaries like Brandie Carlisle, Laura Marling, or Soccer Mommy.
Amelie Patterson has performed at festival stages across Canada including Calgary and Canmore Folk Fest, The Calgary Stampede and Edmonton’s K Days, Stampede City Sessions and showcases including BreakOut West and Folk Alliance International. She has performed alongside Serena Ryder, Matt Andersen and Sarah Harmer and has taken part in two Banff Centre residencies with collaborators including Séan McCann (Great Big Sea) and Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene). Amelie has been awarded Alternative Recording of the Year at the YYC Music Awards, as well as received Calgary’s coveted White Hat.
