Pat Chessell was born into a British Columbia-based family with deep roots in Ireland and Canada’s East Coast. A lover of Celtic traditions from a young age, he has been playing music for as long as he can remember and began performing publicly in his early teens. His passion for folk music and songwriting is deeply influenced by legends like John Prine, Stan Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot, and Liam Clancy.
In 2021, Pat was nominated for the Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Singer of the Year, solidifying his place as a prominent voice in the genre. He has had the privilege of opening for notable artists such as Jim Byrnes, The Paperboys, Sharon Shannon, and Tegan and Sara.
As the 2024 Artist in Residence for the City of North Vancouver, Pat is currently working on a new body of work that promises to capture the depth of his musical journey. He lives in Cloverdale, BC, with his wife, Alexandra, their son, Liam, and their cat, Murphy.