Krisha Patenaude

Bio 

I am a singer/songwriter currently living in the Hudson Valley, in upstate NY. With over 25 years of experience, I have recorded and played with various artists and bands in Europe and the USA. I write original tunes, and enjoy covering many styles (Jazz, Swing, R&B, Funk, Folk, Rock, Bluegrass, Dance etc.). I can confidently provide lead vocals but also enjoy playing a supportive role by singing and arranging harmonies. I love the stage and the studio and enjoy a challenge I can put my heart and soul into. I am currently involved in a number of live and recorded projects and working on new albums full of original music that I hope to share soon.

Music has always been a grounding focal point of my life. I come from a musical family, and it was only natural to want to sing. I still have fond childhood memories of playing gigs with my mother, as her back up vocalist, as well as learning jazz standards with my father in the evenings, before dinnertime. I often sang with friends and always participated in choirs and musical theater. These experiences taught me the joy of collaboration and gave me the gift of harmony, which is still one of my greatest passions.

I have had diverse musical opportunities which have brought me to a more confident and open minded place as a musician. I moved to Germany in 1996 as a teen and officially began my career, doing elektro-jazz, with WEA (Warner Brother- in Germany). A few years later, I started a family and that became a new focal point for me. Even with a young family, music remained a constant. I collaborated,  co-produced and arranged two original solo albums in a friend’s basement studio (mostly dance and electronic music). I also did studio work for many other producers and artists.

Now I have enjoyed living in the Hudson Valley for 15 years and have a number of working bands and studio projects. There’s great strength and comfort in the deep musical connections I’ve made over the years. I have made it a point to say “yes” to things that are challenging and the investment is paying off. The interconnectedness I feel within my musical community feeds and inspires me. I am surrounded by so many talented, supportive, and beautiful people. In cultivating these connections within my communities, I have found a safe landing place for my unique voice and sound to emerge.

After many years of growing a family, with my three amazing children as my biggest inspiration and support, I am finally ready to invest in the singer/songwriter that I’ve always been. Going through big life changes and difficult times have opened up the channels for creative expression. In the past I felt overwhelmed by the illusion of perfection and the confinement of mainstream thinking. Feeling loosened from these bonds, I’m trying to live life more freely and enjoy creating new music without fear of judgement. My original songs serve as a journal of my life’s lessons, filled with pleasures and pain. I am excited to record and share these songs with you soon.