David Pattillo: A Portrait of the NYC Animal
David Pattillo, the man behind the musical moniker Strange Majik, is a force to be reckoned with in the New York City music scene. He’s not just a musician but a multi-hyphenate artist: engineer, producer, writer, performer, and music junkie. He’s also deeply embedded in the industry, having discovered and developed talent, managed artists, and even been nominated for an Emmy for his work on PBS’s Live from The Artists Den.
But it’s his own music that truly sets him apart.
Strange Majik is a genre-bending blend of ’70s funk rock, psychedelia, and 2000s indie sleaze, served with a heaping helping of NYC grit and glamour. It’s a sound that’s as authentic as the vintage gear Pattillo uses to create it, and it’s infused with the soul of the city that he calls home.
From Studio Rat to Rock Star
Pattillo’s musical journey began not on the stage but in the studio. He honed his skills as an engineer and producer, working with artists like Motown/Universal’s Linda Perry and The Berman Brothers. He even co-wrote songs with Nashville’s Music Row crowd and co-produced episodes of Live From The Artists Den.
All the while, he was absorbing the diverse musical influences that would later shape his music.
Strange Majik Emerges
Strange Majik wasn’t just born; it erupted onto the scene. Inspired by the electrifying energy of downtown Manhattan’s club scene, Pattillo’s music pulsates with a raw, unbridled energy.
His live shows are legendary, infused with his iconic personal style, ace guitar skills, and an intoxicating stage presence. The Deli Magazine dubbed him a “blues rock cult hero,” while London’s Shindig! magazine hailed him as a “NYC icon.”
NYC’s Rich Music History
New York City is a melting pot of culture and creativity. It’s where so much of the music we know and love today originated and evolved.
The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and ’30s put jazz in the spotlight, with legends such as Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday performing at iconic venues like the Cotton Club and Apollo Theater.
The Velvet Underground introduced an experimental sound in the 1960s that laid the groundwork for alternative and punk rock, highlighting the city’s avant-garde influence.
During the mid-century, the folk scene in Greenwich Village thrived, with narrative-driven songs and activism by legendary artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Meanwhile, in the 1970s, hip-hop was born in the Bronx, thanks to icons like Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.
The punk movement of the 1970s was centered around CBGB and saw the emergence of influential bands such as the Ramones and Talking Heads.
New York has always been a city that embraces diverse sounds, and Strange Majik somehow pays homage to it all.
NYC Animal: A Journey Through the City’s Soul
Pattillo’s latest album, NYC Animal, is a sonic exploration through the heart of New York City—past, present, and future.
Inspired by a weekly party in the Lower East Side, the album captures the city’s vibrant energy, from the dopamine-fueled dance floors to the introspective late-night wanderings.
With its rolling beats, psychedelicized vocals, masterful guitar work, and edgy lyrics, NYC Animal is a gumbo of genres, held together by Pattillo’s signature sound. It’s gritty, humorous, reflective, and unapologetically itself, making it a standout in the alternative rock scene.
A Love Letter to Rock’s Underbelly
With NYC Animal, Strange Majik is conjuring a time machine, transporting us back to the golden age of underground rock where guitars screamed in unfamiliar ways, rebellion simmered, and the air crackled with raw, untamed energy. It’s an ode to the ’60s and ’70s, an era where music dared to challenge, to push boundaries, and to leave an indelible mark on the world.
Pattillo’s vocals channel the spirit of Iggy Pop, a guttural roar that demands attention, a sneer in his voice that reflects the grit and grime of the city that fuels his music.
Yet, there’s a touch of David Bowie’s theatricality in his performance, a playful wink (often obscured by a pair of aviators) that invites us to join him on this sonic adventure. And like Lou Reed, he paints vivid pictures with his words, weaving tales of urban nightlife, love’s dark alleys, and the quiet moments of reflection in the city’s underbelly.
The Future is Electric
NYC Animal is out now on vinyl and all major streaming platforms.
If you’re looking for music that’s raw, real, and bursting with the energy of New York City, then Strange Majik is definitely worth checking out. It’s a love letter to a bygone era, a defiant cry of individuality, and a celebration of the enduring power of rock and roll.
It’s a call to arms for the dreamers, the rebels, and the misfits—a reminder that music still has the power to move us, to challenge us, and to transport us to another world.
It’s time to crank up the volume, unleash your inner animal, and get ready to dive into the electrifying world of Strange Majik.
The rock’n’roll revolution starts now.
Streaming now on 25/8/366 Global Radio at rBeatz.com.