Meet The Juno Nominees: Patrick Watson

Patrick Watson, the band and the man, are in Montreal recording, but he took a few minutes on Tuesday to celebrate his Juno Award nomination. The group's Polaris Music Prize-winning Close To Paradise is up for best alternative album, where they'll face Wintersleep, Holy Fuck, Tegan And Sara and Arcade Fire. Watson, one of the goofier Canadian musicians around today, spoke about the nomination over the phone.

ChartAttack: Don't be modest, how do you feel about being nominated?
Patrick Watson: Oh, it feels great. It's fun to be nominated for things, no?

I suppose. I've never been nominated for anything.
Well, I'm going to nominate you for best questions of the year. How do you feel about that?

Uh, I'd hold off until you hear the rest of them. They're pretty bad. I can't accept the nomination. What was your musical highlight of the last year?
Oh, that's tough. [To bandmates] What was the musical highlight of last year? Oh yeah, the Metropolis show. That was a good show.

Name something you'd do with your trophy other than put it on your mantle.
[To band] Guys, name something you'd do with the Juno, other than using it as a dildo, because that's not a great example. Sam, what are you going to do with it? You're going to make an instrument out of it? Put some strings on it? I'm going to use it as motivation in the morning. I'm going to make a shrine around it, meditate with it, motivate myself to get out of bed. It's my spiritual bath.

Triumph are this year's Canadian Music Hall Of Fame inductees. What's your favourite Triumph song?
[To band] Guys, anybody know who Triumph is? The band. Oh, track two on the second album.

Feist or Avril, who wins in a cage fight?
Really? Who do I think should win? Cage match? Ooh, Feist would be feisty. What are they fighting for?

The Juno, obviously.
I see. I would think… [to band] Who would win in a cage fight between Avril and Feist. Feist? No? Avril Lavigne would use her fang teeth. Her gothic powers would overcome her. She'd become a magical creature and take over Feist.

Finally, is there any way that winning the Juno could beat winning the Polaris Music Prize?
Do I have to answer that question honestly?

Yes, it's a Patrick Watson exclusive.
Mmm, no. I think the Polaris Prize is a little better because we can buy a hot tub with it. I'm not gonna lie about it. Well, with the Junos we do get to meet Nickelback — again.

I don't think they'll be there this year.
No? Well, unless I'm meeting Nickelback, it doesn't compete.