Patrick Sweany (born April 26, 1974) is an American musician and singer-songwriter known for his blues-rock style, blending influences from acoustic blues, soul, R&B, and rock. Born and raised in Massillon, Ohioa small town about 20 miles south of Akronhe began playing guitar at age 12, inspired by his father's collection of bluesy folk rock records, and turned professional in the late 1990s. Over more than 25 years, Sweany has built a reputation for raw, groove-driven performances, starting as an acoustic bluesman before expanding into electric, funky blues-rock with spacy and organic elements.
Sweany's early career featured residencies at regional blues festivals and clubs near Kent State University, where he honed his finger-style guitar technique influenced by artists like Blind Lemon Jefferson and Muddy Waters. He released his debut album, I Wanna Tell You, in 1999 on Ayao Records and signed with Nine Mile Records in 2006, marking a shift toward fuller band arrangements.[2] In 2009, he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, which broadened his collaborations and sound; notable among these is his work with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, who produced Sweany's 2006 album C'mon C'mere and 2008's Every Hour Is a Dollar Gone.
Sweany has maintained a steady output of recordings and tours, emphasizing live, old-school production methods without headphones or overdubs to capture authentic energy. Key albums include That Old Southern Drag (2011), Ancient Noise (2018), and his ninth full-length release, Baby, It's Late (2025), a raw blues-rock collection recorded over two days that reflects themes of aging, pain, and catharsis after a seven-year gap. He continues to tour extensively, including headlining events like the 2025 Rock for Relief festival in Western North Carolina, and performs with backing groups such as the Tiger Beats.