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Why the name?
Miss Patty was the only name I could think of that felt natural to me. Friends at work and at the clubs have called me that for a long time — I’d meet people for the first time and they’d say “Hey Miss Patty” as they shook my hand and even to this day, for those that don’t know me it’s the first thing that comes out their mouth — I guess I bring that out in people.

When did you realise you wanted to make your living out of music?
I realised I wanted to make music my living the first time I heard my vocal potential. My sister tried to manage me the first three years then another manager came about for a couple of years (whom I’m still close with) then I quit singing because I didn’t like the direction of things in which it was going and my own personal life was more important to me at the time. I realised again I wanted to make music a part of my living about a few months into my relationship with V. That’s when I really started to take it more serious, I decided that I would learn to master my vocal ability so I dropped DJing and, thanks to Alix Alvarez, I started taking vocal lessons.

What influences you?
My major influences growing up musically were James Brown, Teena Marie, Micheal Jackson, Lisa Lisa, Judy Torres, India, Louie Vega and my latest is Jill Scott, Dwele and Peven Everett. Genres that influenced me are disco, funk, freestyle, house, soul, jazz, r&b, hip hop, rock, heavy metal, opera, classical and even country. It’s truly the sounds that influenced me most — it doesn’t matter who but what the sound is.

“I never used to even listen to lyrics, it was all about the beat which is why I love house music so much — I love the deepness, the boom and the bip and what it brings out of me on the dancefloor”

Disco was my first love and is what opened me to house music — a special thanks to Larry Love for the last lesson he gave me on playing the conga — he said to me the drum I was banging on was the one that spoke so I made it do just that and ever since that idea stood with me — I love playing the conga.

Did you study music academically?
After graduating high school in 1991, I attended The Center for the Media Arts in NYC and trained and licensed to be a recording engineer. I then interned at a studio in Brooklyn and soon realised I didn’t want to be an engineer but an artist and so I quit.

What’s the first record you ever purchased?
Uhmmm… good question. I believe it was “Fame” by Irene Cara. The song on side B (a gospel track) is what caught my ear.

What’s the first record you performed on?
It was a song I wrote called ‘Tears Like the Rain’ and I performed it at Flamingo East on the Lower East Side in NYC with a Japanese band called Ichi Ban for a huge gay crowd full of tranvestites! I thought they were going to hate me but they loved me!

What is your view on the state of dance music in the new millennium?
I have mixed feelings about house music in this millennium. While there is hope with artists like Mr V and Barbara Tucker who are great vocalists, and producers like Louie Vega (MAW), Reelsoul, Frank Roger and even Mr V (just to name a few) who do lots of travelling, there is this thing called “file sharing” where DJs share music with fellow DJs and never pay a dime for it!

“I think performances is what pays these days more than sales and I think people need to get a hold on their greed.”

I just got back from London a few days ago doing a Defected gig and I must say it was the BOMB! Mr V can tell you that gigs in London were not a big turn out but this gig was like no other before and I think it has to do with all these radio shows exposing more and more people.

The place was packed, beyond their capacity I’m sure — I think there is a lot of great house music but never enough exposure so the state of house remains the same.

What’s the source of your creativity?
Well first of all I believe every great song starts with great production and if the singer can sing, then it’s even better.

My songs usually revolve around life experiences and the urge to reveal them. And sometimes I reveal other people’s stories and feelings through my songs.

I think as a singer it’s necessary to write your own material — I have a problem singing through other people’s words. And having a home based studio is also a huge plus for me.

Why do you love soulful music?
Soulful is what I am (as corny as it may sound)! I’m a passionate and sometimes intense person but soulful house music? — it’s that beat and the vibe in the atmosphere, the warmth and that four on the floor!