Pat Loiselle

How are you handling this major disruption?

Well I won’t sugarcoat my response. 2020 has been a year of many heartaches and challenges.

Just before the pandemic really hit us I was faced with the suicide of a most important person in my life and a coupla months later one of my best friends also took his own life.

So the start of the pandemic was a bit stressful and disorienting to say the least... Plus some physical challenges. But everything is much better now.

Of course no gigs for months, opened up a bit this Summer before closing down again.

So I did construction work this Summer which was good for the body and the Soul.

Having more time on your hands, what have you done with it?

I have been practicing more than ever! Being a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, harp, banjo, mandolin, lap steel etc.) there’s always something to work on! And writing songs as well.

What new music have you discovered or rediscovered during this pause?

Well I was tired of streaming music in low MP3 quality at home so I subscribed to a hi fi streaming service and just rediscovered the joy of listening to great music! I've got an extensive Blues vinyl collection and Blues was my first love but I find myself listening more to other styles these days... Especially Jazz from the 50s, 60s on Blue Note and other labels... Its base is Blues anyway!

As far as new music and in particular Blues;

I love The California Chocolate Drops, Monster Mike Welsh, Danielle Nicole.

Local favorites : Fuel Junkie (Hey Mark!)

What have you been able to do during this pause that normally you would be too busy to do?

Well I finally got my bass playing a little more together!

I wouldn’t mind playing more bass in 2021, it's fun to sing with bass too.

On The home front, I’ve been cooking like crazy, trying new recipes... Good for the Soul!

What personality have you been following on social media during this pause that has benefited you personally and why?

No one in particular. I honestly don't like social media... I go off and on on Facebook, I'll promote my music on it but that's it! There's just too much goin' on!

Why can't we have a medium that caters to music only?

Why mix politics, advertisers and etc.? It makes no sense. Facebook is so not artist friendly.

I prefer YouTube channels. Actually, Adrienne's yoga channel...

What do you appreciate more now than before the Pandemic?

Talking to friends, not chatting, walking, waking up early in the morning... LIFE!

What have you missed the most during this disruption?

Well of course playing for a crowd! The fans, the dancers! Not playing festivals this summer was really hard.

Playing more with my band mates, jam sessions too I gotta say, so many magical nights in Montreal.

Most of all: seeing my folks!

Have you been able to help others during this tough period?

Well this Summer I played in the Plateau on the street blocked to traffic with my good buddies Martin Hury, fabulous Blues guitar player from Argentina and my old pal Mark Peetsma Ace on the Upright bass! People’s reactions were amazing... They really missed hearing 'Live' music all these previous months.

Recently I’ve been playing virtually quite a lot at the legendary Wheel Club in Montreal.

Thank goodness they're going strong. Dawn Tyler Watson did a fabulous show there for her birthday recently.

I've played more Country and Bluegrass there but I did my own Blues show. Again reactions were fantastic.

Seems to help folks cope with the pandemic.

Have you been able to do some cleaning of stuff you have gathered over the years?

Well I’m organizing my practice and studio space... It’s getting there!

What were some good stuff/memories that you reconnected with during the pause?

Some old friends reconnected with me, former students. Of course I’ve been living with the memories of my lost friends, great gigs of the past too.

July 2020 on the Plateau

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