Modern Voices Records President Speaks Out

The president of Modern Voices Records, 36 years old Chris Pati, is a publicist's dream. In addition to forming the Ronkonkoma-base indie label, Chris Pati is a (take a deep breath) Producer / Engineer / Musician / Singer / Songwriter / Arranger / Musical Director / Conductor / Studio Design Consultant. Chris has been inducted into such prestigious Associations as Who's Who in Entertainment, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the East, and in the international Who's Who of Entrepreneurs

The 20-year music business veteran has done everything from session drumming (he subbed for virtuoso Steve Gadd) to working with Billy Joel's LI. All-Stars band. He has also worked on an award-winning MTV video, collaborated on a theatrical production, written jingles, produced gold albums, engineered movie scores, and is currently climbing the Billboard Blues chart with his group, Chris Pati & Blufire. Recently, Chris took to the stage with Blufire at the Long Island Guitar show (sponsored by 20th Century Guitar Magazine) held at the Sports Convention center in Lake Grove. Here, he talks about climbing charts and hurdles to achieve his musical goals.

InsideCX: How did the performance at the Guitar show go? You're obviously used to being holed up in a recording studio, so live shows must be fun for you.

Chris: Yes, they definitely are. The expo show was great, but due to the World Series, which was about to begin, the show was cut short so the Sports Center could turn on the TVs. We received a good response, which we generally do, but there's nothing like a live show.

InsideCX: You formed Backdoor Records in 1989, two years prior to starting Modern Voices Records. Did the former evolve into the latter, or are they two separate entities?

Chris: Two very separate entities. Backdoor Records had two releases: Shake You Up (with an artist named Marci Geller) and Go House Yourself, which went to #36 on Billboard's Dance Sales Chart. Unfortunately, I lost my backing, so I had to disband the company. In '91, I started Modern Voices Records by myself, and took in a partner, Tony Mascolo, who's also an artist on the label. Actually, Tony's "I Want Love" went to #2 on the Dance Charts, and was a "Greatest Gainer" twice, which is very rare.

InsideCX: What is a "Greatest Gainer"?

Chris: It means that "I Want Love" gained more record sales that week than any other record on the charts and it entered the charts as #15, also very rare. Modern Voices Records came in as #5 (Indie Dance Single) and as #8 (Indie Dance Label). "I Want Love" was #47 for the entire year of all Maxisingles released.

InsideCX: You launched your own label so you wouldn't have to capitulate?

Chris: I got tired of hearing that "I didn't have what it takes" and "I didn't fit the image", etc. from many executives. For example, I'm not a painter and I may not appreciate nor be moved by a piece of art, but to say it's not valid... that's very egotistical. Having worked on many artists' projects, and to have any artists' finished product be snubbed... I decided to take matters into my own hands and start my own label to reach the public. It was a natural progression. As a label owner, you could really promote what you believe in.

InsideCX: Musicians often sat that they will not compromise their sound to appease and A&R person, but if an unsigned, unknown artist who is seeking a record deal is offered an extremely generous contract....

Chris: Unfortunately, you become pigeonholed early on if you make such concessions. Whatever initial image your record company gives you is almost impossible to break free of. A popular rock singer who fronted a great band did a blues show and was actually pelted with objects from the audience!

InsideCX: That's taking the idea that "image is everything" to the extreme. Let's talk about another project you've done such as engineering a movie score.

Chris: I engineered some or the movie, but it was not "Audio-Picture". It was like making records, the same process as soundtrack music.

InsideCX: Did you have formal raining in music theory, composition, engineering, etc.?

Chris: I learned "Camptown Races" on guitar. Other than my older brother, John, a guitarist, no teacher was a real inspiration to me. I played the drums. John would always put down my guitar playing, which would make nit strive to better. I wanted his approval.

InsideCX: In 1981, Pati Bros. Was on Columbia Records?

Chris: My brother John and I had a production deal with Columbia Records, but the record never got released. Our vision didn't coincide, so we went our separate ways shortly thereafter.

InsideCX: What are some of the rewarding projects you've been a part of?

Chris: They're all very rewarding, even projects I did not like taught me something

InsideCX: What is the criteria for consideration into all those "Who's Who" associations and are there others you're now a member of?

Chris: Yes, I'm a voting member of NARAS, and to be eligible, you must have at least six major, national record releases. I'm also a voting member of TEC (Technical Engineering Creativity): voting for the best audio recording technology.

InsideCX: Jingle writing: Any awards for that?

Chris: I was nominated for a Clio (like a Grammy in advertising) for the very first jingle I'd ever written, back in '86. It was for "The Antique Boutique," a store in Manhattan.

InsideCX: What else would you like to do musically?

Chris: I write a lot of classical and neoclassical music. Some of which is Beethovenesque, some is Bach-like. I'd love to release a Classical CD one day.

THE INSIDE CONNECTION · DECEMBER 1998 · PAGE 29