Patrick Holland - You're The Boss (Album) + 10 Questions

Press photo: Briggs Ogloff

Montreal-based artist, producer, engineer and remixer Patrick Holland releases his self-produced debut album, You’re The Boss, out now on Sinderlyn.

Holland has been known in the past for his electronic releases under aliases such as Project Pablo and Jump Source, as well as his production and remix work for artists such as TOPS, Cut Copy, Jacques Greene, Homeshake, and more.

Now with You’re The Boss, Holland is re-introducing himself and making his first foray into guitar-driven indie pop. Written and recorded in tandem, You’re The Boss finds Holland self-producing, playing almost every instrument on the record, as well as singing and writing his own lyrics for the first time. The album also features vocals from Holland’s bandmates in TOPS. Though it’s full of firsts, You’re The Boss sounds like the work of an artist decades into their career.

Patrick sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

The classic, “my parents played music in the house”, is true for me, but I reckon my own musical trip started from skate video soundtracks. Pulling songs from 411 vhs’, Emerica’s This is Skateboarding, Flip’s Sorry, and the early Baker/Deathwish stuff were all very formative for me. Outside of that, the first CD I remember buying with my own money was the Matrix Soundtrack, even though the music scared me.

3.  Can you tell us about your new album You’re The Boss?

It’s a record I started making in late 2019 that I saw as a stylistic 180 from the dance music I was known for and currently touring. It was a cathartic process making songs outside of my comfort zone with instrumentation I’d never recorded in an album context. I felt creative, unencumbered by the usual industry pressures of touring or record sales, due to it being outside of my genre wheelhouse. I dove deeper into it once all touring was cancelled in 2020, and learned so much in the process. It’s a record about letting go and taking control.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Subtle, dusty, and smooth.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Building a studio space that can function as a live room with drums with my good friend and collaborator Priori.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

It’s only a game if you treat it that way. Enjoy making music, and the business side of things, as they go hand in hand, and the rest will follow.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Marci, Louke Man and Alpen Glow.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Ferkat Al Ard “Oghneya”, Nu Genea “Bar Mediterraneo”, Dyltwosix “Brazen Child”.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Skateboard, cook and watch movies.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Water, nuts and cold air.