Two decades ago, Patrick Watson was looking for the right label to release his music. Seeing an opportunity to build something new around an artist they believed in, Secret City was created in 2006 to release Watson’s album Close to Paradise.
Today, Watson and Secret City are still working together, with both the label and Close to Paradise celebrating their 20th anniversaries. What began with a single album has grown into a long-standing partnership, evolving alongside Watson’s career and the label itself.
Over the years, Montreal-based singer-songwriter, pianist and composer Patrick Watson has built an impressive body of work shaped by a deep curiosity that extends beyond music. His interest in the world around him, willingness to explore new ideas and instinct to push creative boundaries are central to his approach as an artist.
That creative instinct is clear on Close to Paradise. Featuring songs such as “The Great Escape,” “Luscious Life” and “Slip Into Your Skin,” the album pairs Watson’s songwriting with rich, layered arrangements, creating the cinematic quality that has become a hallmark of his work. The album was met with widespread acclaim, reaching audiences beyond Canada and earning Watson the Polaris Music Prize in 2007.
Watson’s work has continued to evolve throughout his career, from albums like Wooden Arms and Uh Oh to the success of “Je te laisserai des mots” and his collaboration with The Cinematic Orchestra on “To Build a Home.” His willingness to try new things and follow his own creative interests has remained a constant.
As Watson’s career has grown, so has the scale of what he and Secret City have been able to take on together. Twenty years into their partnership, the label continues to work closely with Watson and his team, with the same focus on supporting his creative vision and helping bring his ideas to life.
“Patrick has lots of crazy ideas. He’s got big ambitions and a strong vision for what he wants to do. Our job is to try to figure out how to put those things in motion and execute alongside his management,” says Secret City Founder and President Justin West.
Meeting those needs over the years has also pushed Secret City to build new capabilities of its own. Earlier in Watson’s career, the label worked with international partners to release his music outside Canada. As his career became increasingly global, Secret City built its own international infrastructure and began taking on more of that work directly.
“Artists are creative visionaries and that forces you to push boundaries as well. We need to rise to the occasion and build the infrastructure necessary to execute on those ideas that are put forth. Like so many of the artists we work with, there’s no question that Patrick has pushed the label in that way.”
That ability to respond to what an artist needs is also supported by programs like FACTOR, which give independent labels like Secret City additional resources to invest in their artists and take projects further.
“FACTOR has been hugely important to the label,” says West. “It’s helped us go that extra mile in realizing the big dreams of the artist. I see it as funding additional risk.”
For Watson and Secret City, a shared drive to keep growing and evolving, along with a deep love of music, has helped make their partnership such a lasting one. With both Secret City and Close to Paradise marking 20 years, the anniversary offers a natural opportunity to reflect on where it all began and how far both have come since.
“Reflecting on the journey has helped to reinvigorate me, and keep me excited about the future,” says West. “I don’t know what the next 20 years will look like, but, as long as it has great music, relationships, and experiences, I’m sure it will be an incredible ride.”
