Jade Marie Patek Feels True “Release” After Releasing Debut EP, “Fly Bird”

Sometimes, great things are worth the wait. Such is true about “Fly Bird,” the debut release from Texas born-and-raised Jade Marie Patek.

After ten years wanting to release original music and some soul searching, Patek put together a seven song journey, detailing the highs and lows of her life over the past decade.

Read below to learn all about “Fly Bird,” Patek taking the steps to release the EP, self-pressure, and more!

Pro Country: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Jade Marie Patek: I’ll have to first name my grandpa, Joe Patek, who had a polka band back in the day. They toured all over Texas, sold one million albums of a single and their music is still played today at German festivals, and of course in Shiner where I grew up. He’s been my inspiration since day one. My other influences are Janis Joplin, Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlisle, Sean McConnell, Stapleton, Childers. The list could go on. I love songwriters and I love music that makes you feel deep things.

PC: Was there a specific moment you knew you wanted to make music for a living?

JMP: Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a star, but when you grow up, your dreams become a bit more realistic and obtainable. I think I knew I was dead serious about pursuing music as a career after I played my first few gigs. How comfortable I was playing music to crowds, the liberating feeling I got from singing my own original songs and the positive reactions I would receive from the audience, I knew then and there that this was what I wanted to do forever.

PC: Did you feel any pressure- internally or externally- as you prepared to release your debut EP, “Fly Bird”?

JMP: The only pressure I felt was from my own self. I wanted to make sure I exhausted all outlets and opportunities I had to put the EP out the best way possible. I put pressure on myself to get the word out and to talk to as many people about it before and after my EP release shows. The EP has such a great message and I want to share that with the world.

PC: “Fly Bird” has been 10 years in the making. Is it almost cathartic to finally have these songs see the light of day in the album format?

JMP: It absolutely was cathartic. It was a true “release,” if you will. For many years, all I wanted to do was create original music and record it and share it with the world. I made so many excuses to not do it. From relationships, jobs, and just pure fear of rejection. I realized the only person holding me back was myself. It took a lot of soul searching and hard work, and here we are today. That is what the EP is all about. Realizing the only person holding you back from pursuing your dreams is yourself, and to break free from that and do what makes you happy. I cried pretty much the whole CD release party weekend because everything I’ve worked for has finally come to fruition and I was loving every minute of it.

PC: Your first single, “Drive” has been one of your signature songs you’ve released to this point. Is that one of the most autobiographical songs you’ve written about being an artist?

JMP: I would say so, yes. I’ve played to 2 people and I’ve played to 200 people and I love doing both. The song is about just that. How no matter how many people you play to, or how far you have to go, all that matters is that you’re doing what you love.

PC: “Dead Flowers” achieved top 20 status in Texas. What kind of validation does that give you as a songwriter and as an artist prior to the release of “Fly Bird”?

JMP: It definitely gave me self-validation that hey, I may be pretty good at this and my music may be really reaching people. Which is my ultimate goal. And it definitely doesn’t hurt to have my 2^nd radio single ever be a Top 20 song when it comes to the music scene. It definitely helped put me on the map and for that I am very grateful.

PC: Calling My Name” is one of the standout tracks on the EP. Can you talk about the inspiration behind that song?

JMP: THANK YOU! I would love to talk about that. This song is about when I started really falling for my current boyfriend, Eric. I was engaged a few years prior and it was broken off in the most awful way. It took a while to get past the issues that came along with that. Then Eric comes along, and I realize he is truly something special and worth letting my guard down for. We’re 2.5 years strong now and I’m so glad I let him into my life.

PC: What do you hope people take away from “Fly Bird” after listening all the way through?

JMP: I hope they take away that yes, you will have the worst of days and you will question yourself, but there are always better days ahead and to always keep your heart open to love. And of course, you are the only person that determines your happiness. Go after what you love, and don’t let anything hold you back, especially yourself.

PC: You’ve called your genre of music “marble rye bread.” Can you explain what you mean by that definition?

JMP: I’m a mixture of country, blues, rock, soul. I think there are a little bit of each of those in each one of my songs. I was raised on it all, and it comes through in my music.

PC: Much has been said about gender bias in country music. How hard is it being a woman in country music today? Does it almost feel like an uphill climb?

JMP: It definitely is hard and an uphill climb in some respects. But there’s a ton of support out there for female artists. I just focus on working hard, writing good music that I believe in, and doing things the right way. I believe that doing those things will create success in itself.