Scott Nolan is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and poet from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty One Territory. His debut poetry collection, Moon Was a Feather, was a finalist for the Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book. His albums include The Suburb Beautiful, Before Tonight, Silverhill, North/South, Postcards, No Bourbon and Bad Radio, Receiver/Reflector, American Hotel, and Canadian Amplifier. His songs have been recorded by Hayes Carll, Mary Gauthier, Watermelon Slim, and Corin Raymond among others. After more than a decade of relentless touring, Scott decided to take some time away from the road to collaborate, produce records, and enjoy his life in Winnipeg. He has produced albums for William Prince, Stephen Fearing, Lynne Hanson, and Watermelon Slim.

Born in Winnipeg in 1944, Patrick O’Connell attended St. Paul’s High School and the University of Manitoba. Although he worked at various times as a photographer, mental-health worker, teacher, and jewelry-maker, his passion in life was writing.

He published several collections of poetry: Hoping for Angels (Turnstone Press, 1990), Falling in Place (Turnstone Press, 1993), The Bagman’s Sonata (Dog Ear Press, 1994), The Joy that Cracked the Mountain (The Muses’ Company, 1999), and Repertoire for Beggars (Blue Diamond Press, 2004).

In 1992, he received a John Hirsch Award for the Most Promising Manitoba Writer. He was well known for his achievements as a poet and was held in high regard in the arts community. He died in Winnipeg in 2005.