After starting off The Voice on Adam Levine’s team, Patrick Thomson was stolen by Shakira after his duet with Kat Perkins. Thomson’s raspy voice and easygoing demeanor has made this Festus, Mo. one of this year’s most memorable participants. During our conversation, Mr. Thomson, who started playing music at the tender age of 11, talked about his friendship with Perkins, the rush he gets from performing, and he also expressed his gratitude for the hard working folks behind the scenes that keep The Voice running like a well oiled machine.
You can follow Patrick Thomson on Twitter at @pktmusic. The Voice airs tonight and Tuesday night at 8 pm et/pt (NBC).
What has been your experience on The Voice thus far?
The whole experience has been an emotional roller coaster. You think you’re going home for a second and then Shakira hit that steal button and I’m right back in it and on top of the world. I know what it feels like to go home and I don’t want to feel that way again.
I’m honored. It’s really amazing to be mentored by not only Adam Levine, but by Shakira. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
The obvious goal is to win The Voice, but a huge part of the process is also to build your career as well.
Absolutely. It gives me a chance to expand on everything I’ve been doing for the past 15 years or so. I’ve met so many great people and great artists from all over the country. I never played a gig outside Missouri. I’m hoping The Voice brings that element to my life. Maybe I’ll get to see some more parts of the country and play in some great venues and meet new people and fans. It’s already been an amazing experience, but this is just the beginning of it.
You had an excellent battle round last week with Kat. Is there a secret to performing in front of a big audience and just calming down one’s jitters?
The blinds were obviously a flash. I remember parts of it, here and there (laughs). It all came back to me when I watched it. But the battle rounds were a little easier because you make friends. Kat Perkins and I have become very close friends and when you go out on the stage with someone that you click with and you know, that sets your mind at ease. It makes it a little less nerve wracking because you’re there with them. It was just really an honor to sing with Kat. She has an amazing voice and I think the song was good for both of us.
What have you learned with Shakira as your coach?
Yeah, she’s had a lot of great things to say about my voice. What she’s really telling me is to get out of my shell and getting comfortable on stage and letting people see the real me. So far I feel like I’ve done that. I’ve never been the hometown Patrick on stage, because nerves will get a hold of you or you have a lot of things going on in your head playing in front of so many people. This is the biggest crowd I’ve played for and the most superstars I’ve had in the audience.
Shakira’s really giving me pointers on relaxing and being my best self on stage and on delivering the song to the audience, which is the key goal.
When did that first dream of becoming a musician and singer surface? When did that light bulb just turn on?
I don’t remember a light bulb coming on. Music has always been in my life so those florescent bulbs you put on to save energy, they take a while to warm up! I’ve always seen my mom playing, and my dad playing trombone. That light bulb just got brighter and brighter over the years. I think it’s always been there.
It’s hard I’m sure to explain, but what kind of charge do you get from an audience while you’re performing?
It’s really amazing. I remember, in 1996, I played saxophone for quite a while and I played on the stage at the Muny Opera House in St. Louis. I remember just the light shining down on me and just seeing the face of the audience members. It gave me such an adrenaline rush that I actually hurt my spine. You get off stage and you feel like you can fly. It’s just amazing, it’s like a drug. It just feels really, really good. There’s no way to really explain it. I imagine sky divers feel the same thing.
What is a normal week on The Voice like? Do you get time to breathe?
There is so much going on, but it’s really amazing the people, the staff here, they’re amazing at scheduling. You know you’re busy, but you don’t feel like that because everything is so well organized and everything moves so well with that schedule. Nobody feels rushed or seems on edge. It’s just a relaxed, positive environment.
You could schedule a million things in a day, but if they’re scheduled properly you don’t feel stressed. That’s one thing that I can say for NBC and The Voice in general – they’ve got this down. There’s no doubt about it. I’ve never felt any stress because of them. I got to thank them for that. I really do.
One of the greatest parts of The Voice must be growing your fan base as well. What has it been like gaining new fans through this experience?
It’s great. I’ve always been a huge social butterfly. I’m the type of guy that can sit in a restaurant and start talking to the people at the table next to me. I’ll want to know where they’re from. I’ve always found people interesting. I’m a people watcher, there’s no doubt about it (laughs). The Voice has really opened the door for that.
Last question – is it surreal watching yourself on The Voice?
It’s very surreal. It really brings back the emotion all over again. Watching my blinds, it feels like I didn’t know if anyone was going to turn around (laughs). It’s nerve wracking watching it. It’s emotional watching these people that you know and seeing their back story.
Good luck the rest of the week and thank you for your time.
Thank you so much!
If you haven’t seen Patrick Thomson’s top notch Blind Audition on The Voice, you’re missing out. Check out the video below:
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