Ratsy (folk singer)
PMP Network Presents
Folk singer Ratsy joins the program to discuss her distinctive musical style. She shares insights into her guitar playing and the unique quality of her voice. Ratsy also recounts her experiences performing in the Boston subways at the beginning of her career.
Ratsy (folk singer)
About Ratsy (folk singer)
Ratsy (real name Patty Kemp) is a folk singer-songwriter from the Boston folk scene known for her quirky, humorous lyrics and distinctive guitar style. She performed in Boston subways and Harvard Square during the late 1980s and 1990s, earning recognition as Best Female Performer in the 1994 Acoustic Underground Competition. Her albums include "The Subway Songstress Years" (1992), "Squished Under a Train" (1995), and "Flowery Swimsuit: The Live Album" (2000).
In this interview
- Recalls starting her career performing in the Boston subways
- Discusses her unique guitar playing style and sultry voice
- Mentions feeling ill during the interview but continuing to talk
- Describes generally positive experiences busking, with only one attempted incident
“I think only once did anybody even try to do something like that.”— Ratsy (folk singer), in this interview
Since this interview
Ratsy relocated to Oberlin, Ohio in 2005, where she opened Ratsy's Store, a vintage antique shop. As of 2023, she continues to reside in Oberlin while maintaining connections to her folk music roots.
