IN THE CHARTS
TRACKS
VIDEOS
by ROAM
PHOTOS
ABOUT
A perfect balance of worldly sounds, musical finesse, and passion," Artistic Director, Edge of the World Festival, B.C.
At the crossroads of song, culture, and philosophy, ROAM weaves haunting melodies and spirited rhythms through adventurous songwriting, taking listeners on a sensual journey through territories without borders.
New sophomore disc LUMINA, released October 2013, is produced and engineered by JUNO award-winning talent Michael Phillip Wojewoda (Lemon Bucket Orchestra, Great Big Sea, Barenaked Ladies, Rheostatics). Wojewoda describes ROAM's combination of warm wood, breath, skin, and strings as "sumptuous." Comparisons have been drawn to Lhasa, Jane Siberry, and Kate Bush.
ROAM’s acoustic instrumentation, deep listening, and organic approach to their craft resound as close friends in intimate dialogue. Main songwriter, Lisa Patterson, significantly shapes the sound with her rich alto voice and contribution on duduk (a double-reeded woodwind instrument native to Armenia), alto sax, and accordion. Lyrics are king - poetry transformed by heartfelt delivery into something a little more mystical. Duo, trio, and quartet versions of ROAM are manifested with top-notch collaborators Justin Abedin (acoustic guitar), Alex McMaster (cello/voice), and percussionists Anita Katakkar (tabla) and Morgan Doctor (cajon, kit).
ROAM began as a duo of Patterson and McMaster, releasing a well-received debut album Points of Departure (Imaginit Music/PhD Canada, 2009) which garnered invites to perform in Europe, India, Mexico, and on Canadian festival stages. Four songs from this disc are featured in the Nov 2013 adventure film satire 'Awaiting Atwood' featuring a cameo appearance by Ms. Atwood (executive producer Genie award-winning Thom Fitzgerald - The Hanging Garden). Airplay includes CBC regional and national programs, Canadian Campus radio; internationally in The Benelux, South India, U.S. Campus. Projects have been supported by Canada & Ontario Arts Councils, DFAIT, FACTOR, BravoFACT.
In the midst of composing for this sophomore disc LUMINA (supported by Ontario Arts Council creators program), an accident resulting in a shattered elbow turned into beautiful serendipity: Patterson's reliance on the piano for the main comping instrument shifted to bringing in celebrated guitarist friend Justin Abedin. As a fresh new sound developed away from the piano, there was an additional bonus for Patterson - being free to express herself on her other instruments, alto sax, and duduk. She replaced the piano with accordion for most live shows to make touring more portable and affordable.
ROAM members have performed/recorded with renowned artists such as Arcade Fire, Tea Party, Matt Dusk, Maryem Hassan Tollar, Jacksoul, Toronto Tabla Ensemble, Chilly Gonzales, Cassius Khan & more.
ROAM's broad cultural and social consciousness is exemplified by original songs in French and Spanish, as does their work with women's shelters, youth arts programs, Stephen Lewis Foundation, and Amnesty International. All members are also music educators and actively promote musical diversity to young audiences.
In live performance, ROAM aims to create an authentic exchange with the audience; a gentle encouragement to hum a drone, clap a rhythm, or participate in improvising a song from audience suggestions.
Leader Lisa Patterson – winner of the York University achievement award for her work in world music ensembles – is a classically trained pianist who grew up influenced by the music and dance of her Romanian and Scottish heritage.
"My extensive global travels have allowed me to gain unique insights and perspectives about culture and human nature; our common ground and our diversity," says Patterson. "I strive to share this through my music."
Performing as a duo, trio, or quartet, tours and recordings have been awarded assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, FACTOR, Ontario Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.
Hailing from Canada's west coast, Roam leader Lisa Patterson is a classically trained musician who honed her roots/pop/world chops recording and touring as a side-person with many Canadian independent recording artists. As a solo artist from 2000 - 2008, she commercially released 2 albums and 2 music videos. Her sophomore disc, Roam, from which this project takes its name, was distributed in Canada (Festival Distribution) and in Europe (Rough Trade Records) with "Need Each Other," a single from that CD, remaining in the top 10 on Holland charts for 12 weeks.
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
NATIONAL
- Invited artist for Margaret Atwood's birthday tribute, Sudbury, Ontario
- Edge of the World Festival, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
- Millennium Place, Whistler, British Columbia
- Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, soirée in honour of Measha Brueggergosman
- Spring Residency Concert series, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
- Regional tours in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan
INTERNATIONAL
- MEXICO: Jazz Roots Club Cancun, Feb 2014, July 2013 & March 2012
- INDIA: Alliance Française Concert Halls, Bangalore & Chennai, South India
- THE NETHERLANDS: Canadian Connections Festival, Residence of the Canadian Ambassador to The Netherlands
SHOWCASES: OCFF, CMW, CINARS Montreal, A2A Media & Music Amsterdam
PRESENTER QUOTES
"A wonderful vocal and instrumental tapestry of sound a bit like a magic carpet ride,"
J. Iredale, CONCERTS ON CAMBRIDGE, Victoria, B.C.
"Mysterious and interesting … a story behind each song,"
Eric Vermeulen, M-ENT, CANADIAN CONNECTIONS FESTIVAL, HOLLAND
"Exceptional voice, energy, and spontaneous rapport with the audience,"
DIRECTOR, ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE, CHENNAI, INDIA
"Great music and voice, in English and French … lovely and evocative,"
S. Hengen, LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY, Sudbury
PRESS QUOTES
"Striking new album Lumina … intriguing sonic atmospheres wrapped around
Patterson’s pure voice,"
Kerry Doole, NEW CANADIAN MUSIC, October 2013
"Some use the elements of European and Indian Folk traditions as ornamentation, but Patterson brings them together to suggest a harmony that is all too lacking in this world,"
INK 19 MAGAZINE, FLORIDA, USA
"Strong songwriting evident of a personal vision … fascinating … a bold blend," ☆☆☆☆ stars, VANCOUVER PROVINCE
"Poetic lyrics and a strong voice," OTTAWA CITIZEN
"Flamboyant and free-styled music … sensuous, philosophical,"
DECCAN CHRONICLE, SOUTH INDIA
"A sound all of her own … wild creativity … songs fly high with emotional power," PETERBOROUGH EXAMINER
At the crossroads of song, culture, and philosophy, ROAM weaves haunting melodies and spirited rhythms through adventurous songwriting, taking listeners on a sensual journey through territories without borders.
New sophomore disc LUMINA, released October 2013, is produced and engineered by JUNO award-winning talent Michael Phillip Wojewoda (Lemon Bucket Orchestra, Great Big Sea, Barenaked Ladies, Rheostatics). Wojewoda describes ROAM's combination of warm wood, breath, skin, and strings as "sumptuous." Comparisons have been drawn to Lhasa, Jane Siberry, and Kate Bush.
ROAM’s acoustic instrumentation, deep listening, and organic approach to their craft resound as close friends in intimate dialogue. Main songwriter, Lisa Patterson, significantly shapes the sound with her rich alto voice and contribution on duduk (a double-reeded woodwind instrument native to Armenia), alto sax, and accordion. Lyrics are king - poetry transformed by heartfelt delivery into something a little more mystical. Duo, trio, and quartet versions of ROAM are manifested with top-notch collaborators Justin Abedin (acoustic guitar), Alex McMaster (cello/voice), and percussionists Anita Katakkar (tabla) and Morgan Doctor (cajon, kit).
ROAM began as a duo of Patterson and McMaster, releasing a well-received debut album Points of Departure (Imaginit Music/PhD Canada, 2009) which garnered invites to perform in Europe, India, Mexico, and on Canadian festival stages. Four songs from this disc are featured in the Nov 2013 adventure film satire 'Awaiting Atwood' featuring a cameo appearance by Ms. Atwood (executive producer Genie award-winning Thom Fitzgerald - The Hanging Garden). Airplay includes CBC regional and national programs, Canadian Campus radio; internationally in The Benelux, South India, U.S. Campus. Projects have been supported by Canada & Ontario Arts Councils, DFAIT, FACTOR, BravoFACT.
In the midst of composing for this sophomore disc LUMINA (supported by Ontario Arts Council creators program), an accident resulting in a shattered elbow turned into beautiful serendipity: Patterson's reliance on the piano for the main comping instrument shifted to bringing in celebrated guitarist friend Justin Abedin. As a fresh new sound developed away from the piano, there was an additional bonus for Patterson - being free to express herself on her other instruments, alto sax, and duduk. She replaced the piano with accordion for most live shows to make touring more portable and affordable.
ROAM members have performed/recorded with renowned artists such as Arcade Fire, Tea Party, Matt Dusk, Maryem Hassan Tollar, Jacksoul, Toronto Tabla Ensemble, Chilly Gonzales, Cassius Khan & more.
ROAM's broad cultural and social consciousness is exemplified by original songs in French and Spanish, as does their work with women's shelters, youth arts programs, Stephen Lewis Foundation, and Amnesty International. All members are also music educators and actively promote musical diversity to young audiences.
In live performance, ROAM aims to create an authentic exchange with the audience; a gentle encouragement to hum a drone, clap a rhythm, or participate in improvising a song from audience suggestions.
Leader Lisa Patterson – winner of the York University achievement award for her work in world music ensembles – is a classically trained pianist who grew up influenced by the music and dance of her Romanian and Scottish heritage.
"My extensive global travels have allowed me to gain unique insights and perspectives about culture and human nature; our common ground and our diversity," says Patterson. "I strive to share this through my music."
Performing as a duo, trio, or quartet, tours and recordings have been awarded assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, FACTOR, Ontario Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts.
Hailing from Canada's west coast, Roam leader Lisa Patterson is a classically trained musician who honed her roots/pop/world chops recording and touring as a side-person with many Canadian independent recording artists. As a solo artist from 2000 - 2008, she commercially released 2 albums and 2 music videos. Her sophomore disc, Roam, from which this project takes its name, was distributed in Canada (Festival Distribution) and in Europe (Rough Trade Records) with "Need Each Other," a single from that CD, remaining in the top 10 on Holland charts for 12 weeks.
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
NATIONAL
- Invited artist for Margaret Atwood's birthday tribute, Sudbury, Ontario
- Edge of the World Festival, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
- Millennium Place, Whistler, British Columbia
- Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, soirée in honour of Measha Brueggergosman
- Spring Residency Concert series, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
- Regional tours in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan
INTERNATIONAL
- MEXICO: Jazz Roots Club Cancun, Feb 2014, July 2013 & March 2012
- INDIA: Alliance Française Concert Halls, Bangalore & Chennai, South India
- THE NETHERLANDS: Canadian Connections Festival, Residence of the Canadian Ambassador to The Netherlands
SHOWCASES: OCFF, CMW, CINARS Montreal, A2A Media & Music Amsterdam
PRESENTER QUOTES
"A wonderful vocal and instrumental tapestry of sound a bit like a magic carpet ride,"
J. Iredale, CONCERTS ON CAMBRIDGE, Victoria, B.C.
"Mysterious and interesting … a story behind each song,"
Eric Vermeulen, M-ENT, CANADIAN CONNECTIONS FESTIVAL, HOLLAND
"Exceptional voice, energy, and spontaneous rapport with the audience,"
DIRECTOR, ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE, CHENNAI, INDIA
"Great music and voice, in English and French … lovely and evocative,"
S. Hengen, LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY, Sudbury
PRESS QUOTES
"Striking new album Lumina … intriguing sonic atmospheres wrapped around
Patterson’s pure voice,"
Kerry Doole, NEW CANADIAN MUSIC, October 2013
"Some use the elements of European and Indian Folk traditions as ornamentation, but Patterson brings them together to suggest a harmony that is all too lacking in this world,"
INK 19 MAGAZINE, FLORIDA, USA
"Strong songwriting evident of a personal vision … fascinating … a bold blend," ☆☆☆☆ stars, VANCOUVER PROVINCE
"Poetic lyrics and a strong voice," OTTAWA CITIZEN
"Flamboyant and free-styled music … sensuous, philosophical,"
DECCAN CHRONICLE, SOUTH INDIA
"A sound all of her own … wild creativity … songs fly high with emotional power," PETERBOROUGH EXAMINER
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