Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson announce concert serie in Montreal with Cinéma L'Amour Orchestra

Patrick Watson is pleased to announce a trio of very special shows in Montreal from November 15 to 17. Patrick Watson will be joined by l’Orchestre Cinema l’Amour at Eglise Saint-Jean Baptiste, continuing with the series of orchestra shows that began two years ago with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, and which also include upcoming performances in Paris and Quebec City. Tickets for these shows will be on sale Friday June 7th at noon, visit Patrick Watson's official website. The Cinema l’Amour Orchestra will be a local 60-piece ensemble built from scratch with local musicians, and both new and past collaborators. Watson will be joined in Paris by the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France, and in Quebec City by Orchestre Symphonique de Québec (OSQ) as previously announced.

Patrick Watson to perform with l'Orchestre Symphonique de Québec

Patrick Watson is proud to announce two shows with the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec on November 7th and 8th. Patrick Watson and his band will be performing pieces from their most recent album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard, as well as other songs from their existing repertoire. The entire performance will be executed with new arrangements under the direction of orchestra leader Stéphane Laforest. The shows are presented as part of the Coup de foudre Hydro-Québec series and are on-sale now. Here are all upcoming tour dates: 03/28/13 Boston, MA || The Sinclair & 03/30/13 Magog, QC || Vieux-Clocher de Magog % SOLD-OUT 03/31/13 Sainte-Thérèse, QC || Théâtre Lionel-Groulx # 04/02/13 Terrebonne, QC || Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne % 04/03/13 L'Assomption, QC || Théâtre Hector Charland # 04/05/13 Baie-Saint-Paul, QC || La Ferme # SOLD-OUT 04/06/13 Saguenay Lac Saint-Jean || Théâtre Palace Arvida % 06/15/13 Manchester, TN || Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 06/28/13 Antibes, France || Nuits Carrés 06/29/13 Marmande, France || Garorock 06/30/13 Laval, France || Théâtre de Laval 07/04/13 Cluse, France || Musiques en Stock 07/07/13 Paris, France || Pleyel (Days Off Festival) * 07/12/13 Winnipeg, MB || Winnipeg Folk Festival (main stage) 11/07/13 Quebec City, QC || Grand Théâtre de Québec ! 11/08/13 Quebec City, QC || Grand Théâtre de Québec ! & with Jocie Adams (The Low Anthem) % with Leif Vollebekk # with Thus:Owls * with l'Orchestre National d’Île-de-France ! with l'Orchestre Symphonique de Québec

Brand new music video for "Blackwind"

After having received an incredible collection of entries from aspiring film-makers since its launch before Christmas, Patrick Watson and creative group Genero have since announced the winner of the ‘Blackwind’ video-making competition. Chloé Poirier-Sauvé from Canada has had her beautifully crafted piece awarded the title of the single’s official video. On choosing a winner, Patrick Watson had this to say: “We never thought there would be that many good entries. Crazy. And of course, we couldn't agree on what should win." “In the end, we decided to go with a video that impressed us with its artistic qualities. It struck us as more than a music video: it stands on its own as a work of art, which just happens to be inspired by our music. This wasn't an easy choice. Some we liked for the story, some for the beautiful images, some surprised us, others simply touched us. And they go in every direction, which amazes me: who would think one song could inspire so many different feelings and ideas?”

"Adventures in Your Own Backyard" receives end-of-the-year accolades

Adventures in Your Own Backyard, Patrick Watson's critically acclaimed album is showing up on many End of the Year Best Of, here are some of them: #6 on NPR's Bob Boilen's Top 10 Albums of 2012 #8 on NPR's Robin Hilton's Top 10 Albums of 2012 #67 on NPR's listeners pick Top 100 Albums of 2012 #5 on Bande à Part's listeners pick Top 10 Albums of 2012 #30 on Nightlife.ca's Top 40 Albums of 2012 One of the best 2012 albums for Quebec City's Le Soleil writer, Nicolas Houle. and one of the best shows too. Patrick Watson's performance at our SXSW showcase at the Saint-David's Episcopal Church is the best 2012 show from Mike Katzif at WNYC. More to come before December 31st we are certain!

Raving reviews for end of year Patrick Watson concerts

Picture courtesy of National Post Patrick Watson had quite a fabulous year and with his last concerts of 2012 he's ending it with brio. Raving reviews are pouring on the web as well as love from fans on twitter. Here are some quotes: "At this point, Patrick Watson has defined himself – and by extension the band – as a consummate and reliable performer who couldn’t do a bad show if he tried." - Ryan Patrick, National Post "Patrick Watson continued the evening with an impressively dynamic performance. His casual persona and stunning vocals captured the venue in minutes, and the show ventured into unexpected territory with vibrant, explorative jams." - Syncopated Sound « Les concerts de Patrick Watson à Québec sont toujours des événements courus parce qu’on sait que la qualité sera chaque fois au rendez-vous. N’empêche, d’une fois à l’autre, le groupe montréalais réussit à nous jeter sur le cul. » - Cédric Bélanger, Journal de Québec

Daytrotter session with Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson and his band recorded a Daytrotter session in Austin a couple of weeks ago, you can listen to it here.

NPR recording of the Washington concert

Patrick Watson played a phenomenal show in September in Washington, D.C. at the 9:30 Club. NPR Music was there to record it and it's finally gone up in time for the band's fall North American tour, click here to watch. Enjoy!

Direct Patrick Watson's next video

Patrick Watson has launched a contest for an aspiring filmmakers to create the official video for “Blackwind” from Adventures in Your Own Backyard. You could even win £2000! Deadline for submissions is November 12th. Click here for all the details. Take a look at their recent World Cafe performance, as well as the Village Underground Rooftop session if you need inspiration.

"Noisy Sunday" from Patrick Watson on season premiere of Walking Dead

Those who were tuned into the season premiere of AMC’s The Walking Dead last Sunday night were treated to a snippet of Adventure’s cut Noisy Sunday. "I love this show," tells us Patrick Watson, "nothing makes me more happy than watching zombies eat each other to my music." For a limited time, you can watch the entire first episode on their website here. You can also buy Noisy Sunday on iTunes here.

Adventures in Your Own Backyard certified gold in Canada!

Proud to announce that Patrick Watson's Adventures in Your Own Backyard has been certified gold in Canada. This is the third consecutive album of Watson’s to reach that sales mark, and the quickest to do so, in only three months. Grab your copy here if you don't have one already.

New backyard video in Brooklyn for Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson today unleashed the second in the ‘Backyard’ mini-documentary videos in support of his latest album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard. The latest installment, which premiered on MSN.com earlier today, brings Watson and his band to Brooklyn, New York, and introduces painter Rodney Dickson — a longtime friend of the band who inspired both the title of Close to Paradise, and the artwork for Wooden Arms. More tour dates have also been announced, you can see them all by clicking here

Adventures in Your Own Backyard - Sun Chain four star review

Watson’s haunting melodies and swooping falsetto coalesce with the quartet’s layered and cinematic orchpop into a work that inhabits its own world.

La Blogothèque Concert Review

Patrick Watson, un garçon qui ne peut pas ne pas tout orchestrer, ne restera jamais bras ballants devant un micro, imaginera une mise en scène unique pour chacun de ses morceaux, des morceaux qui suivent les règles et la logique des rêves, parsemés de souvenirs d’enfance et d’aventures secrètes.

Adventures in Your Own Backyard - Exclaim! Interview

Music's been my life and I guess I never looked back since then. It became the infrastructure of my life so it's not really a question of whether I want to do music anymore, it's about how I want to do music and how I want to adapt to music. I don't think I've even begun to question why I'm still doing music. For me it's so ingrained into what I do and who I am it's not even a question at this point

"Patrick Watson Is Mad About Hats" - Spin feature

Cranial matters aside, Watson's beloved collection of headwear plays an important role shielding him from the vulnerability of performing. "When I play shows I'm a pretty generous performer. I talk to the audience. It's fun, easy going stuff like that. I definitely wouldn't do that if I wasn't wearing a good hat. It's like I have this space on stage when I need it. Without it, I feel naked."

Adventures in Your Own Backyard - Consequence of Sound review

Watson’s trademark is lush, melodic, and charming tunes that sound playful and larger than life; the songs on Adventures are no exception. Opening track “Lighthouse” starts with a quiet piano melody and the singer’s reverbed high tenor ever so lightly floating over the top like a mist on the grass. It evokes a still morning scene fit for a Bon Iver autumn. The music then explodes with marching snares, mariachi trumpets, and diving strings while Watson’s voice blends with the ringing cymbals and piano. The outdoor feeling switches to summer with mid-album highlight “Into Giants”, a bouncy, playful, nearly Simon and Garfunkel-esque tune. A backing choir is brought into the mix to give the track a fullness that will overcome you like a warm breeze.

Les Inrocks - Patrick Watson Marcheur de Lune

Vivement l’été, les nuits passées dehors, allongé sous un ciel sans nuages, à scruter l’obscurité en attendant une étoile filante ou l’arrivée des extraterrestres. On a déjà la bande-son : Adventures in Your Own Backyard, le quatrième album du Montréalais Patrick Watson. Il y a trois ans, au moment de la sortie de son album précédent, il nous expliquait qu’il avait rêvé d’une musique qui sonne comme du “folk de science-fiction”. La formule vaut encore pour Adventures in Your Own Backyard, magnifique album de chansons libérées, à la fois épiques et légères.

Making of video for Into Giants

Patrick Watson just released this behind the scene video shot during the filming of the music video Into Giants. The new album was released in the US yesterday while the band is starting the tour with Andrew Bird tomorrow! 05/03/12 Philadelphia, PA || Union Transfer * [ Sold-out ] 05/04/12 New York, NY || Beacon Theatre * 05/06/12 Boston, MA || House of Blues * 05/08/12 Washington, DC || The 930 Club * [ Sold-out ] 05/09/12 Baltimore, MD || Ramshead Live * * with Andrew Bird

La Presse - Patrick Watson à Bourges

Le chanteur commence tout en douceur avec Light House. Un air classique qui semble venu d'ailleurs. Guitare et percussions viennent s'ajouter. Le ton est donné. L'artiste enchaîne avec Black Wind, puis Step Out for a while et Quiet Crow tandis que le public essaie de ne pas perdre une miette de la performance artistique qui se déroule devant ses yeux; des films en noir et blanc sont projetés sur deux toiles rondes dans le fond de la scène illustrant les envolées vocales puissantes mais tout en retenue de l'artiste.

New Quebec tour dates for Patrick Watson + new music video for Into Giants!

Patrick Watson today premieres the official music video for “Into Giants", the first single off of his acclaimed new album Adventures in Your Own Backyard, which was released in Canada by Secret City on April 17th. The all-singing, all-dancing clip was directed by longtime collaborator Brigitte Henry. Watson has also just announced a new tour dates in his native Quebec, including a performance in Quebec City at the Festival D’été on July 10th, and a string of shows throughout the province in the fall. 07/04/12 Montreal, QC || Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (Festival de Jazz) & 07/10/12 Quebec City, QC || Le Pigeonnier (Festival d’été de QC)&* 09/20/12 New Richmond, QC || Salle New Richmond * 09/21/12 Rimouski, QC || Salle Desjardins-Telus * 09/22/12 Baie-Comeau, QC || Théâtre de Baie-Comeau * 09/23/12 Sept-Iles, QC || Salle Jean-Marc Dion * 09/26/12 Drummondville, QC || Salle Léo-Paul Therrien * 09/27/12 Sherbrooke, QC || Théâtre Granada * 09/28/12 Gatineau, QC || Théâtre du Musée Canadien des Civilisations * 09/29/12 Gatineau, QC || Théâtre du Musée Canadien des Civilisations * & with Loney Dear * with Thus:Owls

NPR review for Adventures in Your Own Backyard

That said, 2012 feels like Patrick Watson's year. — he's a charismatic performer who put on the best show I saw at SXSW this year — Adventures in Your Own Backyard will find its way to the top of many year-end lists. If you could wear out an MP3, my copy of this record would already have scratches.

Adventures in Your Own Backyard - The Guardian Review

The choir-stroked Words in the Fire is darkly lovely.

Voir review for Adventures in Your Own Backyard

À travers ces voltiges au lyrisme mélodieux, jamais l’on ne se perd tant la virtuosité des musiciens est grande. Un disque moins alambiqué que Wooden Arms et tout aussi raffiné. À faire rougir la compétition.

Le Journal de Montreal live review

Dès le morceau d’ouverture, Lighthouse, le ton était donné. Souvent posté au piano, Watson nous apparaissait presque en transe sur scène. Rares sont les artistes qui vivent autant le concert que Watson peut le faire. Souvent, des artistes nous apparaissent blasés ou faussement intéressés par une prestation devant public. Pas Patrick Watson. À chaque prestation qu’il fait, le musicien ajoute sa touche personnelle qui rend la soirée unique. Un exemple à suivre.

Glenn Gould Studio Performance

Nightlife review for Adventures in Your Own Backyard

The 12 songs, swathed in resonant piano, reverberant guitaring and orchestral violin arrangements are peppered with intriguing takes on Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western scores.

Live Review from Le Devoir

Gazette Concert Review

But it’s not as if Watson and band are flamboyant, showy performers. Quite the contrary. their onstage persona is introverted: he’s lost in the music when performing and charmingly self-conscious and awkward when addressing the fans, while his bandmates – guitarist Simon Angell, bassist Mishka Stein, drummer Robbie Kuster and violinist Melanie Belair – take almost no solos, obsessed only with the collective textures that make these songs devotional whispers or stormy epics.

"Adventures in Your Own Backyard" is out now!

The wait is over! Yesterday marked the Canadian release of Patrick Watson’s new album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard. It’s already tearing up the charts and has critics raving. The album is available on CD and LP in fine record stores across the country, digitally on iTunes, via mail order from Amazon.ca and as always, directly from us. To mark the occasion of the new release, Watson has unveiled a video that embodies the spirit of the album, a mini-documentary shot on location in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec last year at the Festival de musique émergente. The first of a series of ‘Backyard’ vignettes, it features Watson conversing in French with a local of the region, playing piano in his livingroom before an outdoor neighbourhood concert.

National Post interview

La belle province provided lyrical inspiration. The oddball stories in the lilting song Strange Crooked Road are mostly culled from a Montreal friend’s family (her aunt, apparently, sewed her husband to his bed sheets, and another uncle blew himself up with dynamite in a trailer park). The gentle Words in the Fire was written in northern Quebec at a post-gig campfire party thrown by teenage fans.

Interview with Radio-Canada

Interview with Nightlife

Le Soleil review for Adventures in Your Own Backyard

Adventures in Your Own Backyard abrite tout ce à quoi on s'attend de Patrick Watson et de ses trois complices : une voix de fausset parfaitement maîtrisée, des atmosphères vaporeuses, des textures sonores recherchées.

Le Devoir Interview

Interview with Metro Montreal

Globe and Mail review for Adventures in Your Own Backyard

Adventures In Your Own Backyard, the Montreal singer-pianist’s fourth album, seems to be a homecoming. His previous two albums – 2009’s Wooden Arms and 2006’s Polaris Prize-winning Close to Paradise – were flights, escapes and whimsy. This new one is the reverse: Watson isn’t leading us away on a trip, he’s drawing us in closer.

Patrick Watson Hour cover story

Patrick Watson is on the cover of the Hour Community this week to highlight the release of his brand new album Adventures in Your Own Backyard. Read the story by Sean Michaels.

Patrick Watson Voir cover story

Patrick Watson is on the cover of the Voir Montreal, Gatineau/Ottawa and Estrie this week to highlight the release of his brand new album Adventures in Your Own Backyard. Read the story by Olivier Robillard-Laveaux.

Interview on Q

Gazette review for Adventures in Your Own Backyard

“Would you rather be a part of the crowd or just a single sound?,” Patrick Watson asks in "The Quiet Crowd." It could be a mantra for the group that bears his name, and certainly their fourth album, like its three predecessors, really sounds like nobody else.

Interview with the Gazette

"Rock history shows countless bands of the past four decades struggling with the eternal dilemma of how much pop to allow into their musical vocabulary. As buzz increases, the tendency is often to tweak the momentum with a catchy chorus. It's a temptation that never seems to have concerned Patrick Watson - even though the profile of the Montreal group, named after the singer and pianist, continues to get higher."

Patrick Watson's new album available to order now

Patrick Watson's new album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard, is available to order now from Secret City Records for Canadian customers. The new album, which already has critics raving, is out on April 17th in Canada, and is available directly from Secret City as of now on CD and LP. It's also available to pre-order now via iTunes Canada. And as previously mentioned, due to popular demand, we've also finally re-issued the LP of Patrick Watson's breakthrough 2006 album, Close to Paradise, winner of the 2007 Polaris Prize. It's a deluxe edition, pressed on 180 gram vinyl, with a gatefold sleeve.

NPR raves about Patrick Waton at SXSW

...his "most profound moment of the day" came at a show that also drew Bob and Stephen. Patrick Watson managed to get Bob Boilen to sit still for an entire set, and when he moved into the crowd to lead a sing-along, brought Robin to tears. "It was magical. ... That's the world that I want my kid to inherit.

Pre-Order Adventures in Your Own Backyard on iTunes today!

You can Pre-Order Adventures in Your Own Backyard as of today on iTunes! Click here. To highlight the pre-release, Patrick Watson is offering us a webteaser for the opening title of the album, Lighthouse.

Esquire Review for SXSW

Okay, easy prediction here, since the best show I saw at SXSW was Patrick Watson: I predict Patrick Watson will release one of the best albums of 2012. Unlike the brilliant 2009 release Wooden Arms, this new record Adventures in Your Own Backyard is going to be a hit. Watson is going on the road opening for Andrew Bird, and Bird’s audience will appreciate his story songs — tales wrapped in finely arranged swatches of piano melodies perfect percussion and the right does of guitar and violin.

Patrick Watson at the International Jazz Festival in Montreal this summer

After recently announcing that all three shows at the Corona in April are sold-out, Patrick Watson is please to share the good news as he will be playing at the International Jazz Festival in Montreal on July 4th at the Place des Arts in Salle Wilfrid Pelletier. Tickets are now onsale via this link. PATRICK WATSON AT THE JAZZ FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY JULY 4TH PLACE DES ARTS, SALLE WILFRID PELLETIER 175 SAINTE-CATHERINE STREET WEST 7:30PM

Patrick Watson announces two album launch shows in Montreal

Patrick Watson and his band are pleased to announce two Montreal launch shows in support of Adventures in Your Own Backyard, on April 15th and 16th at the Corona Theatre. The new album will be available in stores on April 17th via Secret City. Tickets will be on sale on Thursday February 9th at noon. More Quebec dates will be announced shortly. ADVENTURES IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD ALBUM LAUNCH SHOWS + GUESTS SUNDAY APRIL 15 & MONDAY APRIL 16 2012 CORONA THEATER 2490 NOTRE-DAME WEST DOORS: 7PM SHOWS: 8PM Tickets: 35$ - tax included

Adventures In Your Own Backyard

Secret City is pleased to announce the release of Patrick Watson’s new album, Adventures In Your Own Backyard, on April 17th in Canada. The 12-track album will see release in the rest of the world via Domino. Adventures In Your Own Backyard will be preceded by the single for the sweeping, elegant Into Giants, which is available to all at at the official website and via the widget below. Patrick and his band have already lined up shows before the album’s release that will include a headlining appearance at South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas in March, and support dates with Andrew Bird in the US this May, with many more dates to follow throughout the world, including the province of Quebec.

New Patrick Watson single available today

Well this is fun. Patrick Watson recorded a new song so we decided to release it. It's called "Sit Down Beside Me" and it's available as of today exclusively on iTunes in Canada and the USA. "Sit Down Beside Me" sees Watson return to the more accessible dreamy pop of 2006's Close to Paradise while incorporating the rhythmic lessons learned on 2009's Wooden Arms. Like Watson's breakthrough hit "The Great Escape," the new single has piano and a simple catchy melody at its core, but this one uses that as a launch pad before taking off into outer space. Good luck getting the vocal refrain out of your head when it's done. Enjoy!

Patrick Watson - 5.7.10 92Y Tribeca, New York - Brooklyn Vegan Review

"He mesmerized a room full of chattering adults at 92YTribeca Friday night, into respectful silence. According to friends at the Bell House for the show the previous night, at one point you could actually hear crickets."

Patrick Watson 5.6.10 Bell House, Brooklyn - Pop Matters Review

"dreamy lyrics paired with boiling percussion punctuated by imaginative sounds... The quixotic yet charming sounds that compliment the entirety of Patrick Watson’s 2009 release, Wooden Arms, seem like an overwhelming amount to absorb live. Instead the album became an engaging experience, its ideas lucidly and compelling conveyed."

Patrick Watson announces US dates

Patrick Watson & the Wooden Arms have just announced a string of U.S. shows in May, including shows in New York, Chicago and LA, and wrapping up with an appearance at The Sasquatch Fesitval at the Gorge in Washington. These will be their first US shows since the jaw-dropping CMJ performance in new York back in October. (Which by the way, you can still hear in its entirey thanks to NPR and KEXP).

Patrick Watson's first album finally available

We're particularly excited to announce that Patrick Watson's first album, Just Another Ordinary Day, has finally been re-issued and is available as of today...especially because this means people will stop emailing us asking where they can get it! Originally self-released in 2003 in very limited quantities, this was the first recording prominently featuring all four members of the band: Patrick Watson, Simon Angell, Robbie Kuster, and Mishka Stein. All the band’s current touchstones are apparent on the album: from Watson’s intimate-sounding vocal and piano performances, to Simon Angell’s dreamy soundscapes, and Robbie and Mishka’s intricate space-rock rhythms. But it also gives an interesting window into the band’s early stages, with moments of subtle electronica, and arguably some of their most accessible pop songs to-date.

Patrick Watson's CMJ show streaming on NPR

"Recorded with the help of Seattle's KEXP, this was one of the best live shows I've seen all year, anywhere. Watson is a dynamic performer who gets deep inside the songs, and you can tell. His face contorts, his body shifts as he becomes the characters and stories he sings. But there's more to Watson than his colorful songs. He has one of the best bands performing music these days, able to shift moods from funny to scary, and from cartoony to evocative of street life, often in the same song."

Patrick Watson At the Concert Hall on Bravo

Patrick Watson fans set your PVRs. The band recently taped a live performance in Toronto for Bravo's At the Concert Hall series. It airs tomorrow night, August 25th, at 10PM eastern time. The band has just wrapped up their European festival tour and will be making their way back home for some September dates in Quebec, and a long overdue return to California in October. They'll be in San Diego on the 15th, L.A. on the 17th, and San Fransisco on the 20th. Details are over in the Shows section.

Wooden Arms shortlisted for 2009 Polaris Prize

Patrick Watson's Wooden Arms has been shortlisted for the 2009 Polaris Prize. This is the second time they've been nominated for the award, after having won it the first time around in 2007. You can see the rest of the Short List here.

Patrick Watson Jazz Fest show to be streamed live

For those of you jealous of the thousands of people who'll be seeing Patrick Watson's free outdoor show at the Montreal Jazz Fest this Sunday, we've got some good news. The show will be broadcast live on Sympatico / MSN as a special Bell Special Event. Starting at 9pm on July 5th, you'll be able to watch the entire performance here: http://inmusic.ca/patrickwatson. If you are in Montreal, the band will be doing an autograph session after the show at 11pm at the Archambault tent.

Patrick Watson to play free outdoor show at Montreal Jazz Fest

The world tour for Wooden Arms has just wrapped, but that doesn't means Patrick Watson is going back into hibernation just yet. We're pleased to announce that Patrick Watson & the Wooden Arms will be performing a very special free outdoor show on July 5th as part of the 30th Anniversary edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. You can find all the details here.

SixEyes Wooden Arms review

"Wooden Arms, Patrick Watson's 3rd full length is so intoxicating, so magical, that it has pushed every thing I've heard since, down a notch, or two."

Patrick Watson on Yahoo's the New Now

Check out Patrick Watson on Yahoo's take-away style feature, the New Now, with acoustic performances in LA ...

New Patrick Watson Take Away show

"Over the past 3 years, we have filmed more than 150 bands, inside/outside/acoustic/electric, fun for most, boring sometimes. Never any band made us such a great impression as Patrick Watson and the Wooden Arms. It was a year ago, it’s finally online, and it still remains one of my favourite movies, and probably the best Take Away Show ever." (Vincent Moon)

Overwhelming praise for Wooden Arms...

People love Wooden Arms. Response to Patrick Watson's latest offering has been nothing less than staggering, with glowing reviews and praise coming in from SPIN, the Toronto Star, KCRW, NME, La Presse, and NPR, just to name a few. Take a look at what people are saying ...

NPR.org / WNYC session

"The moment I heard Patrick Watson's new record, Wooden Arms, it was love at first listen. ... Wooden Arms is a beautiful collection of songs that bring together delicate pop, ethereal atmosphere and a minimalist sense of composition."

NME Review (9 on 10)

"The spontaneous sounding arrangements - topped by Watson's uniquely mercurial voice - are at turns ornate, grand and subtle, but never less than totally bewitching."

Los Angeles Times feature

"a series of impressionist vignettes into a quick-seeming 45-minute session perfect for late nights and lonely bus rides."

SPIN review

"third album of baroque pop is a meandering path of Puckish enthusiasm and Jeff Buckley warmth, moonlit and effusive with churning pianos, tense strings, and crisp xylophone ... [4 stars] "

Wooden Arms is out today in Canada!

Wooden Arms is out today in Canada! Our new web store is just about ready, but in the meantime, there's a bonus version available on right now. The band played their first show of the release tour last night in Quebec City. Reviews are starting to pour in about the album and consensus seems to be pretty fantatsic. NPR and KCRW are already singing it's praises, La Presse called the album 'Magnifique' and gave it an unheard of 4.5 stars ... and Eye Weekly came in with a 4 star review. We suspect that's just the beginning. We're really pleased that people seem to be responding to a record that's maybe more difficult, but also more rewarding ... especially because it does such a good job of representing what Patrick Watson & the Wooden Arms (yes, you can call them that) are all about.

Chart Attack (5 C's out of 5)

"a gigantic leap forward in Patrick Watson and his band's ability to tell stories and capture precise moods with a cinematic grace"

Toronto Star review

"jaw-dropping depth and invention ... Wooden Arms is up there with the best in cracked-mirror pop music. It's out there -- almost defiantly so at times -- yet it makes such a lustrously tuneful bid for the fringes that any mainstream curiosity has no choice but to follow. [3.5 stars out of 4]" - Toronto Star

La Presse Review "Magnifique."

"Patrick Watson ... ont engendré la beauté. Ils ont crée une véritable fresque ou se dissimulent les références, ou chaque souche sonore s'enracine dans l'inspirations. Magnifique. [4.5 étoiles sur 5] " La Presse

Said the Gramophone praise

"Wooden Arms is leaps & bounds better than his debut and it is an album full of leaps and bounds."

Wooden-Arms.com launches, complete tour announced

We're pleased to announce that Wooden-Arms.com—the official website for Patrick Watson's new album—is now live, and also streaming a new song from the album. The website will be growing as the year progresses, and will be one-stop location for every single and video we release. Wooden Arms is out in just over a month in Canada, and the rest of the world follows suit closely after (you can see all of the various international release dates on the album site). That's how the Wooden Arms tour is going down, too, as the full international tour has now been announced. If you don't see your town here, don't worry, the band will be playing plenty more shows as the year goes on. But this is the first leg. Dates below...

Patrick Watson Canadian dates

Wooden Arms is on the way, and so is a whole new Patrick Watson tour in support of the record. The madness starts at home. There's lots more to come on an international whirlwind tour, but to whet your appetite, check out these Canadian dates. Details and ticket information (these are on sale Friday March 6th at noon!) is in the shows section. April 27 - Quebec City @ L'Imperial April 29 - Montreal @ La Tulipe April 30 - Montreal @ La Tulipe May 2 - Toronto @ Trinity St. Paul's May 13 - Vancouver @ Richard's on Richards May 15 - Calgary @ Grand Theatre May 16 - Edmonton @ McDougall United Church

Wooden Arms is coming...

Wooden Arms is coming. It's been a while since Patrick Watson's last record. Close to Paradise was Secret City's first ever release way back in 2006, and we're pumped to be able to announce it's follow-up, which is due on April 28th in Canada and May 5th in the USA. (We'll have more news soon on the European release, too). We also think this record is going to win over quite a few new fans. Stay tuned!

Patrick Watson to play two intimate shows at Pop Montreal

Secret City's first ever release, Patrick Watson's Close to Paradise, first hit Canadian shelves two years ago today, so all the more fitting that we come to you with some exciting recording news about the band. After two years of non-stop touring, the boys are finally in recording mode again. They're currently knee-deep in microphones at Breakglass Studios in Montreal, recording their much-anticipated follow-up to Close to Paradise. They'll be taking a break from studio time (but not recording) however, to play two intimate shows during Pop Montreal at l'Église St-Jean-Baptiste Chapel on October 1st and 2nd. Spaces are extremely limited, and it should get pretty interesting in there... *** On that note, if you're looking for an advance scoop on this kind of thing, make sure and sign up for the new-and-improved Secret City newsletter. We'll be doing a lot of interesting things with it in the coming months. The sign-up field is over in the right column.

NME - Patrick Watson previews new material at rare lunchtime gig

"Patrick Watson performed a rare lunchtime gig at the intimate Hotel Café in Los Angeles today (June 19) for a star-studded audience that included Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello...."

Patrick Watson to play KARKWATSON shows in June

Anyone who's seen Patrick Watson perform live knows that the four-piece put on an amazing live show, often changing song-arrangements on a dime, extending parts, and generally exploring the big musical soundscapes they're able to create. Well that whole spirit of their performance is going to be taken a step further when they team up with fellow Quebec artists Karkwa in June for some 9-piece action. You can expect some Patrick Watson songs, some Karkwa songs, but probably a whole lot of crazyness in between. They play June 12th in Quebec City, and June 13th and 14th at Le National in Montreal. After these shows Patrick Watson will be playing a handful of European summer festival dates, and spend the rest of the summer recording the follow-up to 2006's Close to Paradise. See the shows section for more Karkwatson and festival information.

Patrick Watson wins Polaris Prize

Wow. Well. Secret City's Patrick Watson took home Canada's Polaris Prize last night, and we're pretty much speechless. We were thrilled as it is when both they and Miracle Fortress made the shortlist amidst some very good company. To see Patrick, Simon, Mishka and Robbie walk away with the Prize was something else. There were some amazing records up the award, many of which we at Secret City are huge fans of...so all we can say at this point is a really humble thanks.

More award nominations for Patrick Watson

The praise just keeps coming for Patrick Watson and Close to Paradise, with an event-topping six GAMIQ nominations coming in this week. The newly minted GAMIQs are awarded to independent Quebec artists, picking up where the MIMIs left off. Patrick Watson is up for "Artist of the Year", "Songwriter of the Year", "International Career", "Show of the Year", "Breakthrough Artist of the Year" and "Best Indie-Pop Album". All these awards are partially determined by public voting, so by all means, go and vote!.