(NORTH ADAMS, Mass) – Canadian icon Patrick Watson brings his unique blend of cabaret-pop and classically influenced indie rock to the Berkshires when he performs as part of MASS MoCA‘s Alt Cabaret series this summer on Saturday, June 30, 2012, at 8 p.m. Raised in Quebec and now residing in Montreal, Watson come as part of Oh, Canada, MASS MoCA’s year-long celebration of Canadian contemporary art.

Watson’s ability to incorporate unusual objects in his music-making – he’s been known to play a bicycle as an instrument and pick a guitar with two spoons – makes him the perfect fit for MASS MoCA’s unconventional scene. Watson’s music is as likely to appeal to fans of Arcade Fire as to those who enjoy Rufus Wainwright, Andrew Bird, Devendra Banhart and Antony and the Johnsons.

After composing the music for Montreal-based visual artist Brigitte Henry’s photobook Waterproof9, Watson formed his eponymous band with Mishka Stein on bass, Simon Angell on guitar, and Robbie Kuster on drums. They released their first album together in 2003. The band’s 2006 album, Close to Paradise, went gold in Canada, winning the Polaris Prize and selling over 100,000 copies worldwide. Watson’s newest album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard, came out in May. The title is a reference to sentiment, nostalgia and comfort, as well as to the fact that the album was recorded almost exclusively in Watson’s own Montreal apartment.

Watson doubles as a producer and composer of film scores, in addition to playing piano, singing vocals, and writing songs as the leader of his band. In 2007, he was nominated as New Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards, and he and his band have worked with music greats of all genres, such as Phillip Glass, Steve Reich, Feist, Cold War Kids, James Brown, and the Cinematic Orchestra. Watson wrote and performed much of the Cinematic Orchestra’s 2007 album, Ma Fleur, including the popular track “To Build a Home.”

Patrick Watson’s performance is part of MASS MoCA’s Alt Cabaret series, which presents emerging and established artists of different disciplines. Drinks from the MASS MoCA bar and dinner from Lickety Split are available before and during the show. Cabaret-goers might also enjoy the other Alt Cabarets scattered throughout MASS MoCA’s summer season, including vocalist and loop artist Julia Easterlin on Saturday, July 14, and Canadian comedian Ophira Eisenberg, on Saturday, August 18. The Alt Cabaret series is sponsored by the Hans & Kate Morris Fund for New Music.

Patrick Watson will perform in MASS MoCA’s Courtyard C Café, or in Club B-10 if it rains. Tickets for the show are $12 in advance, $16 day of, and $10 for students. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open from 11 AM to 5 PM (closed Tuesdays) through June, and open from 10 AM to 6 PM (every day) beginning June 30. Tickets can also be charged via phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours, or purchased online.