Music 119: Patrick Wolf

Its that time of year, again. Time to find those dark and beautiful Gothic songs. And nobody does it better than the talented Patrick Wolf.

He's actually Patrick Apps who was born in 1983 in London. Yet, he looks like he could be a cousin of Jamie Bell's or Tom Felton's. Depending on how he dyes his hair, red or blond. Oh, I can fantasize.

 By the time he was 11 he had built his own theremin, by 14 he was in a pop art collective, and at 20 he released his first album - Lycanthropy - that included material recorded in his bedroom as a 12 year-old. It was received well, but his follow-up, Wind In The Wires (2003), he earned more praise with his song writing and direction of music. In 2007, his third album The Magic Position won critics over. The Magic Position featured collaborations with Marianne Faithfull and Edward Larrikin of Larrikin Love. Some have said this CD worked so well because at the time he'd fallen in love. Then came the speculation to whom.

was beat up by police at a Madonna concert for kissing his boyfriend

"My sexuality is kind of liberal. I fall in love with men and women. I guess you would call me bisexual. I like to have sex and fall in love—I don't like giving terminology for my sexuality." He said at that time, he was involved in a long-term relationship with a man he has named only as William. But who knows now. His next CD The Bachelor was suppose to be entitled The Battle. He worked on it immediately after his Magic Position tour. There were some conflicts along with falling in love again with the next CD that came out in July of 2009. Later, The Conquer is due out this year. Patrick also enjoys making mixes of other people's music too.

Wolf has also done some modeling for The Paddingtons, Edward Larrikin, and The View. He was featured in a series of photographs by Mario Testino as a part of the Burberry campaign back in 2008. Wolf is a busy guy.

His music is original and he is his true orchestra, using all sorts of instruments. His violin is haunting and rich from long ago times, yet it makes one think of home, too. His songs are full of woe. If you listen carefully you will hear he sings a lot like a violin.  Each song carries its own history as if it were a Charles Dickens story, whether it be personal, or the justification of a reality that still exists. You can find his music a treasure to keep.

Some of his music is chillingly, creepy like Childcatcher, but there is the wonderful Magical Position that I hope makes it to musical status some day. One of my first favorite of his is the sad Pigeon Song and  of course, Bloodbeat. I admire him so much. He adds a certain beauty to his music that you can't find anywhere else. On tour he can be a down right punk, like making fun of Justin Timberlake. He certainly can make a show an epiphany to his followers. 

Thanks Tumblr.
PatrickWolf.com