Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Lancaster, Canada, born in 1979. His music combines chamber pop, indie rock, rock, cabaret pop and classical influences, and he is often compared with Rufus Wainwright, Jeff Buckley and Andrew Bird.

Early work and formation

Watson sings in church choirs as a child and studies jazz and classical piano performance, composition and arrangement. At high school he sings and plays keyboards in the ska band Gangster Politics. After leaving the band following graduation, he begins exploring other styles, including electronica and ambient music.

In 2002, after returning from a trip to Vietnam, he forms a four-piece chamber pop group built around his own songs. The line-up includes bassist Mishka Stein and drummer Robbie Kuster, both met at university, and guitarist Simon Angell, formerly of Gangster Politics. The project operates as a solo endeavour with a backing band.

Recordings and releases

The group releases Just Another Ordinary Day independently in 2003. Watson also releases his solo debut, Waterproof9, in 2001, followed by Close to Paradise in 2006. His releases appear under Watsonia Productions Inc.

Collaborations and recognition

Watson co-writes and performs on several tracks on The Cinematic Orchestra’s Ma Fleur, including the opening song “To Build a Home”. His remix of Champion’s “Guy Doune”, from The Remix Album, reaches number one on CBC Radio 3’s R3-30 chart. In 2007 he receives a Juno nomination for New Artist of the Year, and Patrick Watson also wins the Polaris Music Prize in 2007.

Other appearances

The song “The Great Escape” appears in a third-season episode of Grey’s Anatomy.