The Nerak Roth Patterson Band is an indie rock band out of Dayton, OH. They are well known for their high energy eclectic music that spans across genres. Their recent release “Ask Me In” charted at 50th on Sound Guardian in 2013 and produced 3 singles on the N1M (Number 1 Music) Chart. They have toured with the likes of Jethro Tull and are currently recording a new CD featuring Jethro Tull. In addition to their upcoming 2015 studio CD the band will be releasing a live CD as well. This band is taking the industry by storm.
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
I have read interviews on Exposed Vocals before. I did not realize when Randy Morano messaged me on twitter to do an interview that I have been on your site before. I signed up because I never mind doing interviews or anything.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in Yellow Springs, OH. I have always been an artist of sorts. I started with writing short stories then went to poetry. I made the move to music because I remember seeing all the good guitars at the music shop and I wanted to get some but I didn’t want to have a guitar and not be able to play it. So, I had my father teach me how to play guitar. I was slow taking to guitar and music. It was the liberation and freedom music gave me that sealed my career in it. Mainly, music is the one thing that can keep my soul alive and I’ll fight until death to keep it. That is also why I became an artist.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
The band name is not my idea. It was my father’s since he wanted his own band. So he called it the Nerak Roth Patterson Band. My father, our band leader, songwriter, and guitarist has the same name as me.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Online music sharing in terms of streaming is good. It allows others to hear your music. Sharing music through sale is fine too. It is not okay though when people steal music online. When I do give music away for free it’s usually to someone who can get us places or to a good friend that has been with us every step of the way proving they are with us for us and not the money or attention. Sometimes you can give some free music to your fans to say thank you for supporting as well.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Yeah, research your market and the industry itself. Acknowledge that you need money to make money and keep a day job until you have a tour schedule that can support you full time. Be persistent. Do not under price or over price yourself either. Never give up.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Yeah I’ve made some during performances and I just play through it. I don’t react but just laugh it off and do not do it again.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Yes I do tour both nationally and internationally. This dog over in Piacenza, Italy chased a little kid around the corner of this building in Piacenza Square. The kid was on his tricycle minding his own business and got chased down by a dog from hell. What’s the chances hahaha. My friend from England and I nicknamed the dog Cerberus.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
I write strictly from the soul. I write what I feel and put it out. So topics range from how I feel inside to perhaps a message I would like to send to the world or stuff going on around me indirectly or directly. I don’t ever force songs, I just allow them time to write themselves. I do record my ideas though.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
We do have a band website. It is www.nrpbindierocks.com. I stream our music on our main website but also use CDBaby.com to distribute our music to itunes, Spotify, Pandora, and what not. We have Sound Cloud too.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
I have the map menu song from Starfox 64 hahaha. I can’t say I really have anything embarrassing on my ipod honestly. I mean some unlikely things you would find on my ipod given my general musical taste are Hey Ocean, The Living Tombstone, Gucci Mane, and Avril Lavigne.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
I would get myself an apartment. I would probably move to California. I would use some money to help out my family too and then put the rest back into the band. I would dedicate all my time to music.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
I have no planned studio upgrades. We are using Pro Tools to record the band’s new album. Recording with Tapes one day would be cool.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
I just use social media. I make the music available to stream on all our websites and using CD Baby to distribute our music to sites than can promote it helps. Outside of that just keep your eyes open for any opportunity to promote or share your music.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
I would love to perform and pray to God to perform with the Black Veil Brides in Columbus, OH. I absolutely love BVB for one musically and as people and me and Andy both grew up I Ohio so what better place to rock out. The band themselves are great musicians and people. Also they gave me the best night ever in Columbus, OH Oct. 22, 2014. I don’t get to see many live shows because I am usually playing myself let alone bands that can sound good live. They were amazing and I remember crowd surfing on Fallen Angels and security almost kept me from grabbing Andy’s hand but he reached down. It was the greatest thing ever. So I would hope to really meet them one day as musicians and friends. I would also like to perform with A7X because they have been a band I look up to and grew up listening to. Matchbook Romance as well, those guys rock and are just really down to earth, just super nice guys.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Right now the Nerak Roth Patterson Band is recording a studio. The studio album will feature Jethro Tull as well. We are working on our product line and plan to release that this year too.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
I would honestly just be working at Hot Topic trying to make a career there and go to a lot of concerts.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
The first album I bought was a HIM album. It was Razorblade Romance. At that point I was just super psyched and excited. I didn’t know what to think. I immediately plugged it in when I got home.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
I don’t. I just get as much stuff done as I can day to day but I’m always behind in life hahaha. #MusicLife
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
We have a new product line coming out. We also have our own guitar picks made from Drago Pick Company. We will be touring overseas and have music videos and a whole new sound that is far different than even our traditional fans know of. Keep an eye out for our new CD’s and if you want us in your town request us on Bandsintown and track us on there. Just look forward to some big things that I cannot speak of now. There are some things in the makings. Love you all thanks for your support everyone.
