Meet P Walsh

Today we’d like to introduce you to P Walsh.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I think my relationship with rap music is a bit different from my fellow artists because I couldn’t stand it for most of my childhood. I didn’t grow up listening to hip-hop, so I thought it was a waste of time. Every once in a while I would come across a song I appreciated, but for the most part, hip-hop wasn’t something I understood. It wasn’t until the spring of 2011 when I heard a song by Earl Sweatshirt and Vince Staples in my friends’ kitchen that my mind was opened to rap music. I began to go back in time listening to classic albums like Gang Starr’s “Moment of Truth,” Biggie’s “Ready to Die,” and Jedi Mind Tricks’ “Violent by Design.” Shortly after this new exploration, an album was released that would change not only my taste in music but ultimately my entire being. “Goblin” by Tyler, the Creator was a transcendental piece of art that showed me music can be uncompromising, cinematic, and defiant. The messages of independence and authenticity Tyler and Odd Future were pushing really resonated with me and had a major influence on my development as a teenager.

Shortly after discovering these artists, I began to write material of my own. I was a decent writer because I’d kept a journal since middle school, but I was pretty lost at first when it came to the art of rapping. I spent a lot of time writing poems and scrapping them over and over again. Eventually, after writing to tons of MF DOOM beats and annoying my friends by sending them verses I had written, I began to see progress. As I was discovering this talent and wrapping up high school, I became friends with the guys from the Watagua hip hop collective Buddha Stoops. In the summer of 2014, I began recording music both with the Stoops and on my own. In August of that year, I dropped my first single “Victimized,” a remix of “Nikes on My Feet” by Mac Miller, and received nothing but positive feedback. On September 6th of that year, my debut project “Walsh” was released and began to quickly amass thousands of plays. I was truly humbled by the number of plays I got on songs like “Dirty Vans” and “Everyday Is War.” I have to give a shout out to all of the Stoops because without them I doubt I would’ve seen the amount of exposure I did.

Over the next few years, I began to do shows throughout the DFW area with acts like Pyrex Pirates, Pat Ron & Ease, CRAIG XEN, and DJ Spadus. Soon after “Walsh,” I began conceptualizing my next project, but going to college and dealing with some personal issues hampered my creativity. New P Walsh music wouldn’t be released for nearly four years.

At some point during this hiatus, my father gifted me a collection of documents kept by my great grandfather Charlie Walsh. He was a professional boxer in the early 1900s and he’d kept numerous newspaper clippings, boxing photographs, and personal writings. The contents of this binder would become the inspiration for my sophomore project.

After the release of two singles “Back Against The Ropes” and “Life’s A Fight,” my second project “The Pugilist” was released on July 13th, 2018 featuring artists Ol’ Dirty Space Cadet, Trip, and Erin Quinn. This project features incredible production from artists like Hash Finger, SGULL, and Psychodel. The entire project was mixed and mastered by Johnny “PhadedVision” Morgan in Los Angeles, CA. “The Pugilist” is something I’m extremely proud of because I feel that it’s drastically more mature and nuanced than my old material. While addressing themes of internal struggle and realizing self-worth on this record, my goal was to help just one person get through their own personal fight. If I achieved that, making the record was worth it.

Today, it’s been about a year since “The Pugilist” hit the internet. While the album wasn’t as widely received as I had hoped, I’m still proud of the end product and look forward to what’s to come in the future. And trust me, it won’t be another four years before you hear from me again.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been a ton of tough times since I started making music from dealing with selfish collaborators to trying to stay inspired. I think the most important thing I’ve learned from these obstacles is you have to surround yourself with people who inspire you in both your personal life and your creative endeavors. To this day, I continue to struggle with my work ethic and self-doubt, but I have a solid foundation of people around me who motivate me and push me to be better.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Some of my favorite albums and songs I’ve heard in my life are ones that are deeply personal and emotional. In hip-hop, bravado and indulgence tend to reign supreme in terms of subject matter and don’t get me wrong, there is room for these topics. For me, I try to incorporate my sentimental nature into my work as much as I can. I’ve always loved the vulnerability that’s so common in genres like folk and hardcore, so I’m doing my best to bring more of that authenticity into hip-hop.

What were you like growing up?
My upbringing was sort of split into two experiences.

I was born in Massachusetts and grew up there until I was ten years old. While I was living there, I had a pretty incredible childhood. I had a ton of friends and I was close to my extended family members in Philly and Boston. It was growing up in New England that made me realize the importance of realness and loyalty to my loved ones and friends. I was happy and comfortable, but that all changed when my dad got relocated to Texas.

The culture shock was almost unbearable for me when I moved to the DFW area at a young age. I became closed off and denied Texas as my new home. It’s crazy to think that I’ve now lived in Texas longer than I lived in my hometown. While I hated having to move, I’m ultimately glad I did. I think about that a lot. If I never moved, I never would’ve met so many important people who have impacted me more than words can describe. I doubt I would’ve ever begun making music if I didn’t move here and meet the people I met. I’m grateful for these experiences and these people because, without them, P Walsh likely wouldn’t exist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://patrickwalsh2695.wixsite.com/pwalsh
• Phone: 8177394522
• Email: patrickxwalsh26@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pwalshofficial
• Twitter: twitter.com/pwalshofficial

Image Credit:
Eddy Reynoso, Dylan Waters, Oscar Lozada, Skyler Wheeler

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