Even when the strings are cut, the music carries on in the plumbings of our hearts. — Patrick Watson
Patrick Watson, winner of Canada’s 2007 Polaris Prize, is fantastic.
I always knew that, of course, having fallen for his/their music rather quickly. (Still not clear if they’re a band or gentleman, being apparently, both).
Their winning of the Polaris Prize in September 2007 caught me off guard. He was up against some big wigs in the Canadian music scene. This was the competition:
Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse
The Dears – Gang of Losers
Julie Doiron – Woke Myself Up
Feist – The Reminder
Junior Boys – So This Is Goodbye
Miracle Fortress – Five Roses
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Ashtray Rock
Chad VanGaalen – Skelliconnection
And he won.
At first, I was confused. After seeing him/them last evening at the Grand Theatre here in Calgary, I am no longer confused.
Long appreciated, now adored — Patrick Watson put on an intimate and beautiful show. Made more so, perhaps, by how incredible the Grand venue is for sound quality and experience. He is a creative cultural force and his style and lyrics seem to capture something prescient and personal.
Seek him out.
In the meantime, here’s a video and a live show.
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