Patrick Watson

Just to get everyone in the happygig-mood again (IN THE LEAD UP TO EPIC MUSE) after the sour note that was left by The (mood) Killers (okay not funny), I've finally got Jarren to talk about Patrick Watson, because I think his level of obsession far exceeds mine and he would therefore do the gig better justice (too much justice?)

So here it is, the entry from his blog:

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There are varying degrees of insanity, with the highest being reserved for those who chose not to watch Patrick Watson. Yes, your reasons may be aplenty (80 bucks is crazy money for a recital studio gig), but missing it is really nutters.

So firstly, my deepest condolences to those of you just found out you’re a crazy person. Yea it’s proven medically, I think.

Patrick Watson’s a four man band with an almost orchestral sound, meaning to say they seem like their playing more instruments than God intended man to play at a given time. The kind of sounds that guitarist Simon Angell was getting out of his guitar was insanely enthralling while Robbie the drummer, is one of the most dramatic drummers I’ve seen. Beating the shit out of your percussion pieces is one thing, but to saw away at your cymbal for an effect, now that’s professional sacrifice.

(Z: Eh so who will win in a fight? PW or Arsenal?)

You mean you've never put a toilet plunger head in a megaphone to sound like kermit? sheesh.

The band played a good amount of songs from both their albums starting with Fireweed and then a real hair-raiser, Beijing. It has a certain ethereal quality to it and while it sounds great on the album (which you would be even morecriminally mad not to have listened to), this song is meant to be heard live. Hearing it from the intimacy of the Esplanade recital studio, I immediately felt transported and transformed into a little wisp scuttering down the streets of downtown beijing, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this huge, busy foreign land. Robbie was pure brilliance in this song with his array of pots and pans which to you may sound gimicky, but to all present it made perfect sense. Every utensil had a grander, fuller purpose that night.

In truth when he started Beijing, I was a little disappointed. I thought that the dynamism of that song should really be left for the middle of the concert. But oh boy am I glad that I got that wrong. The set-list flowed from one great performance to another. Patrick Watson’s talent, musicianship and energy just brought ceaseless surprises and made the whole night seem so magical. As I mentally plough through the songs that he so brilliantly brought to life, I can’t bring myself to choose a favourite. If you’ve been to concerts you will know that once or twice through the night, something clicks and in that moment, that song springs into your heart, capturing you with its magnificence. During this concert however, each song was so well thought out in delivery, so meticulously constructed that every single moment was a magical one. Be it Drifters in pitch black, or saw fiddling on wooden arms (yes, violin bow on saw. just watch the video), everything just made sense. He ended the set with Where the wild things are. I won’t say anymore cos I thik I’m coming across too strongly as some wide-eyed groupie. Instead, just watch the bloody video.

I'm more talented and have an uglier singing face than John Mayer

Just when you think things cannot POSSI-BLOODILY get better, well they really really do. The encore was pure joy. He came on with his signature “angler fish” contraption, a portable-amp so thingy which he wears like a bagpack and has lights sticking out and drooping down, like an angler fish. He then takes it around the studio and plays an acoustic Man under the Sea. Robbie and the saw came along too! haha.

too cool for school.

They than start an improv session with lyric suggestions from the crowd. It was just ridiculous and fun, plus it allowed the band show their talent and understanding. Patrick was like a baton-less conductor, resorting instead to a cock of a brow, or a swish of his hand. And following his cue, the band swished and waltz gracefully through the melody changes, even diving into a guitar solo VS vocals banter. Finally, the concert ended in a sombre mood as Patrick delivered a touching tribute to his friend, fellow singer Lhasa de Sela.

2 geniuses and an SMU student

It was 80 bucks well spent I tell you. In fact, I would have paid that just for the encore. Heck, this concert will haunt me till the day i get to Canada and watch patrick again. Till then.

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P.S. I resent the captions of some photos (especially the last), but in the name of integrity I'm leaving it there. Hmph.