Patrick Sweany Music at Vega 8/30

8PM | All Ages | $10
Get tickets: http://ticketf.ly/1h30MsQ

Patrick Sweany likes the spaces in between.

On a given night (or on a given album) he’ll swing through blues, folk, soul, bluegrass, maybe some classic 50s rock, or a punk speedball. He’s a musical omnivore, devouring every popular music sound of the last 70 years, and mixing ’em all together seamlessly into his own stew. Yet, the one thing that most people notice about Patrick isn’t his ability to copy – it’s his authenticity. Like his heroes, artists like Bobby “Blue” Bland, Doug Sahm, Joe Tex, Patrick somehow manages to blend all of these influences into something all his own.

It’s no wonder that as a kid he immersed himself in his dad’s extensive record collection: 60s folk, vintage country, soul, and, of course, blues. Patrick spent hours teaching himself to fingerpick along to Leadbelly, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and other folk-blues giants.

But Patrick wouldn’t stay in the acoustic world for long. His love of 50s era soul and rock fused with the adrenaline-soaked garage punk revival happening throughout the Rust Belt pushed Pat to form a band.

After 5 critically acclaimed records (two produced by longtime collaborator Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys), Patrick has expanded his touring radius to 49 states and Europe. He’s played premiere festivals all over North America, and supported national acts such as The Black Keys, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Gourds, The Wood Brothers, and Hot Tuna on tour.

Sweany’s newest full-length record – Close To The Floor – is as personal a statement as the 38 year old troubadour has ever made. Inspired by tragedy and frustration, it’s a (mostly) gritty look in the mirror for the Akron native who now resides in Nashville. Sweany’s coping with the premature deaths of two family members, his struggles with perpetual touring, and his battles with the ruthless music industry are all examined closely here.