Today we’d like to introduce you to Paty Sevener.
Paty, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
One day I decided to buy a one-way ticket to Washington D.C. from Madrid, Spain. I quit my poorly compensated jobs, my band at the time (Maybe Nots) was breaking up and I was ready for a change. I spent six months in D.C., where I lived for five years growing up. During this time, I played music and toured the East Coast with a band from Baltimore called Conor and the Wild Hunt. While giving the touring musician life a try, I was still looking for a job as a Music Therapist, my dream job and the reason why I had studied a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees.
I found a job in San Diego, California, with MusicWorx, one of the leading Music Therapy companies in the industry, and a key player in the development of our profession. Also, my brother was living there at the time. It was perfect. I found myself surrounded by amazing people and musicians here, and the time was ripe to start my own band. I had been dreaming of this all my life. I never thought I would be able to write my own songs, start a band as the frontwoman and make this happen with the incredible team I have.
Our band is called Cath and we just released our first EP called “Hint of home”. This band started with me and Cory Woodrow (music therapist and co-worker) jamming to some of my songs that were still a work in progress. Cory introduced me to Michael Lucero, the best guitar player I’ve ever played with, and I was certain my songs were in good hands. The team was completed by enlisting John Avery, the best saxophonist in SD, he’s a very close friend and always believed in our music.
These songs are a pure reflection of myself at different times of my life and my band has developed them in a way I could’ve never expressed on my own. Now it’s time to start performing and sharing our music.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was never a smooth road. I am very lucky to have the unconditional support of my family and friends which has been key for my continuous work and effort. It’s very hard to start your own project, whatever that may be, especially being so far from home. My advice is to surround yourself with people who believe in you who love you and really care about your happiness and well-being. We’re social by nature and we need to receive that love and support but also give it back.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
Our music with Cath doesn’t fit into one genre. All the members in the band listen to different types of music and we each provide a different and unique sound. We do this music for our own personal satisfaction and the only thing that matters is that we like what we made. I am proud of my team, truly essential members of this band.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I have never been “girly”. I have an older brother and I grew up looking up to him. All of the women in my family are very independent and have a strong personality. I admire many woman musicians but it has always been hard for me to find a band that I really loved and that was leaded by a woman. All of my favorite bands are all men or they have only one woman in the band.
I think it’s really hard to step out of the roles that our culture has put us in, but nowadays, there are more and more opportunities for this and our creativity should not be limited by these set roles.
Contact Info:
- Email: cath.theband@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cath.theband/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4b0M5xK4SOJjlq64wFMkVu?si=HFAVL2bOSXySrEoX77afDQ
Image Credit:
Emilio Lorente – Graphic design
Jonathan Valladon-Ribet – Band pictures
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