Pat Fulgoni Discusses Writing, Performing, and His Record ‘Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience’

In a wide and varied musical career, Pat Fulgoni has worked across many genres and many musical styles. But the blues has always been where he butters his bread, the musical haven in which he most thrives. The singer, songwriter, and guitarist released his new album, Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, this past fall. Although he is spearheading this blues experience, it’s more than just him. The project came together when a local food bank fundraiser in his hometown of Huddersfield, England requested a set after having seen some of Fulgoni’s performances on YouTube. He gladly said yes to the request and proceeded to pull together a band of instrumentalists. Although the show occurred just before the COVID lockdowns, Fulgoni was very encouraged with how things had gone.

Now, with over three years of live shows around Europe, the band is quite highly sought after. Fulgoni’s talents are complemented by guitarist Jacob Beckwith, bassist Rory Wells, drummer Zebedee Sylvester, and pianist Sam Bolt. The new album is bluesy as can be, but far from one-dimensional. It features a nine-track collection of originals and covers. There are more soulful, funky moments, as well as more rock n’ roll moments. Two of the tracks are even just piano and vocals. Fulgoni has a diverse musical sense and he wanted to illustrate that on this new record.

Fulgoni joins us today to discuss the Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, the new record, performing, memorable career moments, and more.

How would you describe your own music?

Pat Fulgoni: “I’ve sung across many genres but Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience is pretty much a blues band at the end of the day. That said we have many soul, funk, jazz, and psychedelic rock influences too and you can hear this when we gig.”

For those not familiar with your band can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?

“Just released the debut album! The lineup has evolved leading up to the recording and is now pretty much settled based on the lineup that’s on the record if that makes sense. We have young guitar slinger Jacob Beckwith, the bass and drums combo of Rory Wells and Zebedee Sylvester, and Sam Bolt’s piano skills.

“Recently live bass duties have been taken by Jaden Hart and Michael Homan too as Rory has been working on his PhD so a special shout out to them too. We’ve notched up some great club and festival appearances including the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne, Buxton Blues, Blues Alive (Czech), Tenby Blues Festival, Beatherder, Solfest, and Leeds Unity.

“I originally sang the blues over in the Czech Republic with some real pros from that scene. That lineup released an album and played on breakfast TV out there. I then parked the blues for a bit after that seeing as I lived in England a thousand miles away and had other projects going off including singing on a few dance projects and my old band Kava Kava.

“Then shortly before the lockdown, I was asked to play blues at a benefit gig for a food bank in my hometown of Huddersfield. They had seen some footage of the Czech period on YouTube. I cobbled a band together and it felt great. Then lockdown kicked in and it kind of took the rug from under it but those dark days really made me want to sing some more blues, that’s for sure. Now, a few years later, I have a new album to promote!”

Pat Fulgoni ‘Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience’ album artwork

Your new album, The Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, was released a few months ago. Now that it has been out a while, how do you feel about it, and what has been the response so far?

“Blown away by the reaction, to be honest. Obviously, the PR is DIY but the response has been amazing. It got to #3 in the UK blues album airplay chart and also #3 in Roots Music Report (UK albums charts) which I understand is up to 300 stations that report to this U.S. chart company Roots Music Report. It’s received a tonne of very positive reviews all over the world too! We’ve had some great reviews in magazines like Blues Matters (UK), Blues Magazine (Netherlands), and Blues Blast (USA).”

Tell us about your experience going it alone as an artist. How hard is it to get your music distributed, promoted, shared, etc?

“Yeah, it’s like starting again. I’ve been involved in other scenes until relatively recently. I’ve run labels in the past just as the digital era was kicking in and when you had to negotiate bricks and mortar distribution deals territory by territory. I guess this is more of a digital release, but we also have CDs available via Bandcamp and at gigs. The PR has been DIY and in dribs and drabs as I work out where to send it for reviews, etc.”

What is the music scene like where you’re based?

“I’m based in the town of Huddersfield and the rest of the band are from the City of Leeds (both in the UK region called West Yorkshire). I’ve developed the Huddersfield Blues Club over the last two years and we’ve had some great acts on so far. It takes place monthly at the Smile Bar in Huddersfield. The scene is much larger in Leeds. There are many venues there that regularly programme bluesy and jazzy stuff.”

Pat Fulgoni, photo by Richard Duffy Howard

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

“Different band but definitely the Gil Scott-Heron support gig I scored with my old band Kava Kava. That was a fantastic gig at Leeds Irish Centre on a much larger stage than I was used to. His band were on fire and definitely influenced my music. During the gig he was talking about how his music should be ‘filed under miscellaneous’ which made me laugh because Kava Kava had so many influences too, ranging from trip hop to blues to jazz to funk. Following a gig at the Marquee Club in London, we had been signed by an independent label and it was hard to find our section in a record shop too. Years later I’m glad to report one of the few covers on my new album is a Gil Scott-Heron tune called ‘Lady Day & John Coltrane.’ I hope we do it justice!”

Do you have any touring plans in support of the new record?

“It’s ongoing, 2024’s blues festivals were great. Tenby Blues Festival in November in South Wales was bluestastic! Other highlights this year included the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne and the Buxton Blues Festival. Both were amazing gigs to do. Festivals are where it is at for this band. If any promoters are reading this, book us!”

Do you ever get stage fright? What’s your solution for it?

“Yeah, totally. Back in the day, it was getting spannered (drunk) before a gig that sorted it but you can’t keep doing that! These days I get stage fright a little less and it’s more like a leap into the absurd. You gotta make yourself do it and it’ll be alright.”

Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, photo by Busgy Gedlek

If you could change anything about the music industry what would it be?

“Over the last few years, music has become seriously devalued. Something needs to give. Revenue from streaming does not fill the gap that falling physical product sales have left. As we chat here, bands are receiving their annual Spotify statistics and being encouraged to hype them online whilst earning pennies for the privilege. It doesn’t seem right somehow…

“It’s very difficult to stay afloat right now. I have actually been an ambassador for the Carry On Touring campaign set up to tackle the negative impact Brexit has had on the British music industry and we have been lobbying Parliament to fix touring in Europe. It would be helpful if the politicians supported this initiative as well as supporting our struggling UK venues and artists. Music was once the third largest export coming out of the UK. The music biz finds itself in a very precarious position right now.”

Is there anywhere you would like to go that you have not been?

“With my old band Kava Kava, I managed to clock up dates across Europe, the USA, China…. I’d be very happy to do that with this band. Maybe take in South America or Japan? We can but dream! Definitely want to do the USA! The specialist blues radio stations in the USA have been very supportive and to get thumbs up in mags like Blues Blast and Chicago Blues Guide makes me believe it is possible!”