In an era obsessed with sonic perfection, Patrick Watson is the exception who embraces imperfection. A Canadian classical pianist with an ethereal voice, he blends chamber pop, ambient, and cinematic orchestrations with a handcrafted touch that makes him unique.

During Wooden Arms, he found an old piano on the street: out of tune and creaky, he used it just as it was. On Adventures in Your Own Backyard, he recorded vocals and instruments in the kitchen, bathroom, even the bathtub, taking advantage of natural reverbs.

In 2010, he played an acoustic live set at dawn on top of a radio tower in Montréal: no audience, just wind and instruments.

With Wave, born after the death of his mother and a major breakup, he transformed pain into music that gently caresses. On Love Songs for Robots, he even let software compose some harmonies, later reinterpreted with real instruments.

Watson builds his records like little houses inhabited by gentle ghosts. If you don’t know him yet, start with “To Build a Home” or “Here Comes the River”. Then let yourself be carried away.