Patrick Watson — live event
I am sitting in Patrick Watson’s Montreal rehearsal/recording studio, a place that has hosted many late nights of carousing for the both of us. I guess I should offer full disclosure here: Watson and I have been friends for years, but I have managed to keep my status as fan of him and his band a heavily guarded secret throughout our friendship. In fact, Watson seems generally taken aback when I tell him I am absolutely in love with his new record. As a friend of Patrick’s I can tell you he does not take compliments well and would probably much prefer if we were just having our regularly programmed chatter that ensues after a couple of libations. Unfortunately for Watson I’ve returned to his studio to discuss a subject that hardly loosens his lips – himself, his music, and his fifth record Love Songs For Robots. This new collection of songs shows Watson and his band absolutely gleaming and brimming with newfound inspiration and crystal clear vision that should stand as not only his best record thus far but should also prove to appease the most ardent fans as well as a great introduction to people who have yet to bend an ear in Watson’s direction. As humble and tight lipped as the man is, he even admits Love Songs... is his best record yet and slowly begins to open up about his new record. Forthcoming only to a point, Watson does not take full credit throughout our two hour discussion and only saves the accolades for his band mates and full-fledged musical contributors, which include most recent member, guitarist Joe Grass, Watson’s dubbed “synth Jedi” François Lafontaine and his stalwart anchors, bassist Mishka Stein and drummer/percussionist Robbie Kuster. Although it may be Watson’s name shining brightest on the marquee, Love Songs For Robots most definitely comes across as a collaborative effort and is their closest to a “band” oriented record yet. New recruit Grass’ guitar playing fits comfortably in the cacophony as if he’s always been there and marks his first collaboration with Watson on the beautifully serene “Alone In This World” and again with Stein and Watson on one of the record’s stand out tracks “Grace”. “As a band I think we’ve always been leading up to this record” says Watson between pulls on his ever-present cigarette. “This record definitely has the best performances that we’ve ever done as a band and definitely shows us at our most dynamic. A lot of people have this misconception of us as a singer/songwriter soft folky type of thing, but anybody who has seen us live knows that’s the furthest thing from the truth. By tracking almost everything live off the floor this album is the closest we have ever come to being who we really are”.
Starts: 2023-12-13T20:00:39Z
Ends: 2023-12-13T22:00:39Z
Where: 125 East 11th Street, New York, New York 10003, United States
Price: $48.05