We caught up with Country singer Patrick Masse at this year’s Edmonton Pride. It was his first time at this Pride celebration and between performing and being part of the party that is Pride, he had time to talk about a new musical project.

"Drake Jensen and I did a new single, it’s called Go Your Own Way and it just went out to radio on Monday (June 5) so it’s doing really well...it was released in Canada and overseas...it’s kind of an anthem for youth". It’s about bullying and ultimately the message is about being comfortable in your genuine self. As for recording this song with Drake, it was a busy day, but Patrick said they enjoyed themselves in the Ottawa studio in which they cut the single. "We did a video, a photo-shoot, did the CBC interview, all in a day and a half".

In conjunction with the single release they’re doing the Go Your Own Way Project. "You can go on to Facebook and there’s a ‘Go Your Own Way Project’ page and we’re encouraging people to go on and share their stories either with a video or write their stories in a safe space." It’s to give the young people hope and support, and hopefully prevent LGBTQ youth from suicide. "Drake and I really wanted to do something to nurture and inspire young people".

As well, a project and song like this may be inspiring to a gay or lesbian youth whose parents and upbringing might be more focused around Country music. This is a demographic further marginalized in rural settings. "Country music is one of those genres which still hasn’t embraced openly gay artists...there’s a few around." CBC did a feature Patrick hopes will get people talking about this discrimination, and realizing they need to be on the progressive side of this issue. "I’ve been doing this for 19 years and I lost a major record deal because I wouldn’t stay in the closet."

On one hand Patrick implied that is was fun being in a group of openly gay/lesbian country western singers when it’s you, Drake Jensen and k.d. lang (for part of her career). "I think shows a lot that three openly gay artists in Country (music) are all Canadian and we’re leading the way."

That’s not to say Patrick will avoid doing shows in the United States but... "...there’s a lot going on in the States right now and you have to be concerned with your own personal safety." Given the shootings at Pulse, and the shootings at the Ariana Grande concert as an artist it’s something in the back of his mind, but he also thinks there is a lot of good happening in this world too. "We can’t be silent and let our fellow community members die in vain; we have to stand up."

To be fair, Canada has advanced a lot further than the USA on LGBTQ+ rights, but acceptance is a ongoing battle. "It’s nice to be a Canadian, and when you do travel abroad as an artist, we’re really embraced because Canada is a leader in human rights...we just gotta keep going down that path, so whatever Drake and I can do to help the cause we’re all open for it."

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Contributor Evan Kayne | Steve Polyak |

Locale Edmonton |

Person Patrick Masse |

Topic Celebrity Interview | Celebrity Video Interview |