Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond Patrick Watson
Apr 7, 2026
Patrick Watson, Montreal-based singer, composer and Polaris Prize winner known for orchestral pop and a distinctive tenor voice. He talks about recovering from a vocal chord hemorrhage and making the adventurous album Uh-Oh. He discusses using many collaborators like hip-hop features, recording on location with minimal gear, singing in different languages, and blending classical, jazz and pop textures.
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Voice Hemorrhage Changed The Album's Path
- Patrick Watson lost his voice from a vocal cord hemorrhage after over-singing in Atlanta and was told he might never sing again.
- He used hyperbaric oxygen treatment (despite claustrophobia) and slowly regained sound, influencing Uh-Oh's collaborative approach.
Use Features To Add Missing Perspectives
- Use collaborators to fill gaps rather than copy your own strengths; Watson invited singers to add perspectives he couldn't access.
- He treated features like hip-hop: distinct voices telling different stories, sometimes disagreeing with his part.
Montreal's Cultural Walls Foster Originality
- Montreal's music scene enforces originality through cultural isolation and public funding, producing unique, risk-taking artists.
- Watson credits subsidized halls and grant culture for audiences receptive to experimental sounds.