Having been described as everything from “hot, posh and talented” (The Telegraph) to a “novelty act” (The Independent), Patch William found themselves thrust unexpectedly into the spotlight when they received an Ivor Novello nomination. Rather than let the acclaim go to their heads, the quartet are determined to turn the attenion into long-term success.
First things first, how did you the band get together?
Ed: Will is our songwriter and he and I are brothers, so that is where our initial connection comes from. Then I used to be in a band with George and will wanted a second guitarist to add some lines to everything, so got hold of George. Then it was our Dad who played bass for about a year. We eventually recorded our first album with Steve and whilst in the studio needed a cellist. George knew Ali from way back when.
Ali: George’s Mum is my God-mum and my Dad is his God-dad. So we are God-siblings.
Ed: But we only met her when she came into play the cello on the album. At the same time we also recorded some vocals and found that her vocals gelled so well with Will’s that she ended up doing vocals on all the tracks. Then we thought if she could learn the bass then she’d be the ideal band member.
So you dumped Dad then?
Ali: We don’t to use the word ditch.
Ed: It is is more like he already knew he was in transit.
With the band formed and functioning, how did you decide on the name Patch William?
Will: It was a friend of mine who actually up with the name. I was in a band with him and he thought it would be a good stage name for me to have in the band. I didn’t really like it. Then eventually we were looking for our band name and I was like Patch William. We were unsure for ages but then eventually it grew on us. Now it is ok. It is one of those names that is neutral.
“I never get nervous for things, not even going on stage.”
George: The reason I like it is that it doesn’t make you think of a certain type of music. It is not like ‘The Something’ so you think of indie rock. You have to listen to the music to make up your mind what we are all about.
The name sounds like a solo artist, do people ever get you confused with one?
Will: We were mistaken yesterday for Patrick Williams.
Ali: We even got a cheque made out to Patrick Williams.
George: But it was a good gig anyway.
Despite being relatively unknown, you have already had an Ivor Novello nomination for “Best Song Musically & Lyrically”. How did that feel?
Ed: I never get nervous for things, not even going on stage. But when they were leading up to announcing the nominees, it was the most nerve wracking thing of my life.
Ali: It was amazing heariing it on the loud speakers. Being amongst these great musicians.
“The press really latched onto the fact that
we were up against Lily Allen.”
The Independent described you as the “Ivor Novello Novelty Act”…
Will: I think maybe they just used the wrong word or something.
Ed: I think they used it because we were so much more unknown than everyone.
Will: I thought it was nice article. I was just amazing to be nominated.
Ali: The press really latched onto the fact that we were up against Lily Allen because we were virtually unknown.
You’ve already said that Will is the songwriter. How do you set about constructing an album?
Will: I tend to come up with the basic ideas for the songs. The skeletons. We have a lot of things we can do. We’ve already got a line-up for the next album.
Ed: We’ll be going into the studio over the next sixth months, whenever we have time. Then eventually we will have enough for an album.
George: We really like playing the songs live before we get to record them.
So there won’t be a two week block set aside to pump out the next album in a hurry?
Will: I remember someone saying about Jimi Hendrix that he just wrote songs, then when they had enough songs they’d put out the next album. I think it is a really good way of doing it as it is really progressive. Unless you want a concept album, then the whole thing has to be done at once. Writing under pressure is a good exercise, but it is not really very productive. The songs are all emotional capsules and you can’t just falisfy that.
Words & Image: Jeremy Williams
The Kaje 