Patrick Park Returns with New EP and Single, 'We Fall Out Of Touch'

Colorado-born, LA-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Patrick Park recently released his long-awaited new disc, "We Fall Out Of Touch", on October 15 via RSRCH + DVLP, the newly launched label created by producer/engineer/mixer Dave Trumfio. His first new studio record since 2010's critically-acclaimed Badman Recording Co. disc, "Come What Will", "We Fall Out of Touch" was produced by Patrick and his longtime cohort Trumfio (Wilco, MMJ, Grandaddy, Earlimart).

Since his first offering in 2003, the "Under the Unminding Skies" EP, Park has spent the better part of the last decade developing a reputation as a captivating recording and live artist and has toured with a diverse range of artists such as My Morning Jacket, Seawolf, Grandaddy, Beth Orton, Liz Phair, Shelby Lynne, among others.

To write the new disc, he isolated himself for ten days out in the middle of the California desert in a cabin without any distractions - no phone, TV or internet, and recording took place over the course of three days at Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles, with most of the drums (Luke Adams) and guitars tracked together.

Patrick chose the song "We Fall Out Of Touch" as the title of the EP because it encapsulated the general feel of the record and the moment. He says, "To me it has several different layers of meaning. It's a great modern day irony, in an age ostensibly defined by our glorification of communication technology, that we are more out of touch than ever before. The songs on this record are definitely more personal than a lot of the songs I've written in a while. It wasn't a choice, they just came out that way. I always try to resist saying explicitly what the songs are about for me because it's totally unimportant and doesn't matter in the slightest. Songs to me are about communication, that's the only way they live at all. But, it's a different kind of communication than me just telling you what's going on in my life or whatever. It's about that moment when you as the listener hear your own life in a song. At that moment you feel a little more in touch with your own life, and in a weird way you feel in touch with others. If a song doesn't do that, then it's just wallpaper. It's just more noise in a world full of noise." He adds, That being said, I'm sure I've written more than my fair share of wallpaper."

Park's earnest start at becoming a songwriter, something he knew he was destined to do since the age of thirteen, began around 2000 when living in Los Angeles with a batch of songs that he decided to demo. He lacked the money to go into a studio, but that didn't deter him. "I ended up recording in the back of a store that a friend's girlfriend owned. I sang all the vocals on my knees inside of this couch cushion hut that we built because there was a cricket in the room and it kept bleeding into the microphone. It was August and it was hot and horrible," Park laments. With his first album underway, he began playing solo shows in LA. "There is a freedom to the simplicity of solo acoustic shows which I love," says Patrick. "Musically, it's direct and pure, and there's nothing to hide behind, no way to cop out. I bare the sole responsibility for the quality of the performance. I like that it's all on my shoulders."

Developing a loyal following for his performances, he also grabbed the attention from fellow artists as well, as he opened shows for the likes of Richard Buckner and Gomez, and Beth Orton handpicked Park as the supporting act on her U.S. tour. Hollywood Records also took notice, and signed him. While recording for the major label, in 2003 Badman Recording Co. released Park's gorgeous first offering, the six song EP: "Under the Unminding Skies".

Park's critically-acclaimed first full length studio record, "Loneliness Knows My Name", soon followed later in 2003, and he immediately hit the road, touring with My Morning Jacket, David Grey, Liz Phair, The Thrills, Rachel Yamagata, and Granddaddy, among others.

After enduring the long process of getting off Hollywood Records, he finally released his second full length disc, "Everyone's in Everyone" in 2007. For that record, Patrick worked with several producers including the previously mentioned Dave Trumfio,Rob Schapf (Elliott Smith, Beck) and Chris Stamey (Whiskeytown). The albumwas well received, making several year-end "Best Of" lists and lead off track, " Life Is A Song", was featured as the final song on "The O.C", and viewed by over eight million people, and the second single, "Here We Are", was one of "Stereogum"'s most downloaded tracks of 2007.

On his third album, 2010's "Come What Will", Patrick returned to working with his friend, Trumfio, once again to accolades.

Described by "CMJ" as "a mesmerizing singer/songwriter who should not be missed", On "We Fall Out Of Touch", fans will be treated to a more "stripped down" approach, reminiscent of Parks' poignant solo performances which helps to illuminate the brilliance of his craft and voice.

For more information, visit www.patrickpark.net, www.facebook.com/patrickparkmusic and www.rsrchndvlp.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.