The internationally renowned music group known as Puddles Pity Party is sure to be one of the most talked-about performances at this year’s Philly Pride.
If you haven’t seen any of the group’s videos, which are getting a wildly viral level of attention, or one of their many live performances, here’s a chance to see what the excitement is about. The group, fronted by Puddles, a towering baritone singer in classic clown makeup, is known for putting their smoothly melancholy, yet carnival-like spin on classic songs and modern hits. Their cover of Lorde’s “Royals” racked up more than 10-million hits on YouTube since it debuted two years ago.
We managed to track down the elusive Puddles to get a few questions answered about what makes this visually and sonically captivating group tick, and what they have planned when their wagons roll into town for Philly Pride.
PGN: Are you planning to do anything outside of your usual repertoire for your performance at Philly Pride?
PPP: I don’t like to plan too much in advance. I like to see where the mood takes me as I determine a set. Of course, I’ll include some crowd favorites. But I may throw some surprises in there, too.
PGN: How do you go about choosing the songs that you cover?
PPP: I like a song that hits you right in the ticker. Pop anthems that are emotive and uplifting are my favorites. I like some deep cuts, but there is also something thrilling about singing a popular tune that everyone in the audience recognizes and sings along with.
PGN: What is it about sadness that people find alluring and entertaining?
PPP: Sadness is everywhere. Even happiness is sad, because it’s fleeting. No matter how happy you might be at one moment, you know it can’t last. That dog of yours is going to die someday, but that should not prevent you from enjoying canine companionship. We have to accept the sad with the happy. It’s just part of living. And it’s best not to stifle your sadness. If you can allow yourself to feel sadness, allow it to pass through you, you’ll feel better once you’re on the other side of it. It’s cathartic to cry it out when those feelings come over you.
PGN: Is the mood of your performance in any way altered by the fact that you will be performing outside in the daylight?
PPP: It’s not altered in any way. Day or night, rain or shine, it’s a Pity Party. We’ll all get down and help each other back up again.
PGN: Why is it important for you to be a part of Philly Pride?
PPP: I’m proud to perform at Pride. My show is all about fellowship. And I’ve got people in Philly. My mee-maw is from Fishtown. I love that city. There’s nothing like a lemon “wooder” ice on a hot summer day.
PGN: Who are some of your influences as a performer?
PPP: I was greatly influenced by my mee-maw, who used to say that life is just a series of disappointments. She’d look right at me when she said it, too. There’s also Freddie Mercury, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, The Shmoo, Frankie Lane, Charlie Chaplin and the list goes on.
PGN: Do you have any plans to record and release any more music?
PPP: I have a couple of recording projects in the hopper, but I spend so much time traveling with my show, so it has been tricky finding time in the studio. I had some fun recently at Third Man Records in Nashville, recording a little ditty in their special olden-timey record booth. I captured the fun with moving pictures on this-here video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXf43wldkDA.
For more information on Puddles Pity Party, visit www.puddlespityparty.com.