EPK | Bethlehem and Sad Patrick

Bethlehem and Sad Patrick Return with Captivating “This is What We Do” – A Heartfelt Exploration of Love and Life Struggles

One-Sheet/Track Details | Lyrics

[Philadelphia, August, 2023] – Acclaimed vocal, guitar and percussion duo, Bethlehem and Sad Patrick, make a triumphant return to the airwaves with their highly anticipated third album, “This is What We Do.” Ten years since their folk/jazz/blues fusion of a musical journey began, the duo once again captivates audiences with their signature blend of smart, heartfelt lyrics, soaring vocals, and emotive melodies. “This is What We Do” dives deep into themes of love – its joys, hardships, and growth, and explores other struggles inherent in the human experience.

The 10 songs on “Love and Other Struggles” are bookended by two short interludes – “This is What We Do” (“Intro” and “Reprise”) that set and resolve the tone for the entire collection, showcasing the duo’s knack for using minimalism to craft delicate and thoughtful songs. Each track on the album takes listeners on an emotional journey, touching upon themes of navigating love and heartache, finding strength amidst chaos, and seeking peace.

Their stripped down, slowed down take on “House of the Rising Sun” lays bare the struggle, immersing listeners via Bethlehem’s emotionally charged vocals.
Their grateful “The Language” floats on Sad Patrick’s acoustic arpeggiated finger picking, exploring how difficult it can be to understand each other, and how you can still commit to love while you’re struggling.
Their tender and hopeful “Ready for Your Love” explores getting out of your own way and letting love in, overcoming your own resistance.

Bethlehem and Sad Patrick’s unique sound effortlessly combines powerful vocals and driving percussion with Sad Patrick’s distinctive hybrid of folk and jazz guitar. His guitar serves as a subtle yet mesmerizing counterpoint to her exceptional “vocussion” – a term she coined for her powerful, immersive singing, remarkable improvisations, and nuanced melodies riding atop tarima and body percussion.

The duo have appeared at the Philadelphia Folk Festival (three times), the Ladybug Music Festival (twice), the State Street Blues Stroll and State Street Jazz by Night, and Caramoor American Roots Festival, won several NERFA showcases and opened for Susan Werner at the legendary Godfrey Daniels. Their live performances and 2019’s “Love and Other Struggles” earned them a spot on NPR Slingshot’s prestigious list of Ten Artists to Know from Philadelphia.

“Their music strikes a chord with its authenticity and emotional depth,” praised Sarah Hojsak from WXPN / The Key. “Bethlehem and Sad Patrick use their unique blend of vocals and guitar to craft soul-stirring songs that tackle a range of issues with grace and beauty.”

“This is What We Do” is now available on all major streaming platforms. CDs will be available at on their website and at live performances, starting with their Album release party on August 17, 2023 at the Commodore Barry Club in Philadelphia. Tickets at besadmusic.com. To stay updated on news and upcoming events, email “subscribe” to news@besadmusic.com or visit the duo’s website at www.besadmusic.com.

Bio – 25 Words
Bethlehem and Sad Patrick combine soaring vocals, sparse guitar, and driving tarima and body percussion to deliver powerful, heartfelt songs about love and other struggles.

Bio – 50 Words
Bethlehem and Sad Patrick perform songs of love and other struggles. Her soaring vocals and his sparse guitar ride atop her driving tarima and body percussion to deliver powerful songs about being in and out of love, living in the city and on the margins, and struggling to make it.

Bio – 100 Words
Bethlehem and Sad Patrick perform songs of love and other struggles. Combining her soaring vocals and driving percussion with his sparse guitar, they deliver powerful songs about being in and out of love, keeping your head up in the city, struggling to make your way, and seeking peace on the margins. Sad Patrick’s hybrid of folk, blues and jazz playing supports Bethlehem’s “vocussion” – her powerful singing, remarkable improvisations and nuanced melodies riding atop her tarima stomps and body percussion. Their live shows are enthralling, with their on-the-spot interplay and how fully Bethlehem inhabits their songs and captivates a crowd.

Bio – 150 Words
Bethlehem and Sad Patrick deliver powerful songs of love and other struggles. Combining smart, heartfelt lyrics, soaring vocals, sparse guitar and driving percussion, they dig deep into being in and out of love, keeping your head up in the city, struggling in all sorts of ways, and searching for peace on the margins. Sad Patrick’s hybrid of folk and jazz guitar provides a subtle counterpoint to Bethlehem’s “vocussion” – her term for her powerful, immersive singing, remarkable improvisations and nuanced melodies riding atop tarima and body percussion. 2019’s “Love and Other Struggles” sonically and thematically extends their range, and landed them on NPR Slingshot’s list of Ten Artists to Know from Philadelphia. “The pair use minimalism to their advantage, crafting delicate and thoughtful songs about everything from love to life in the city to the fight against racism and intolerance with a gentle poetic edge.” – Sarah Hojsak, WXPN / The Key.