@The Feldman Agency
Polaris Music Prize short list revealed: Daniel Caesar, Weaves, Alvvays, Jeremy Dutcher make top 10
The 2018 Polaris Music Prize short list has just been revealed. Alvvays, Weaves, Daniel Caesar and more are among this year`s top 10 albums vying for the title of best Canadian album of the year, as it will be decided on by an 11-member grand jury on Sept. 17.
This year`s list includes some newcomers and some repeat nominees. First-timers on the short list include francophone artist Hubert Lenoir, rock duo Partner and rap group Snotty Nose Rez Kids. And returning to the short list once again are U.S. Girls, Alvvays and Weaves, the last one of which is nominated for a second consecutive year.
The full list of nominees is below:
- Alvvays, Antisocialites
- Jean-Michel Blais, Dans ma main
- Daniel Caesar, Freudian
- Jeremy Dutcher, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
- Pierre Kwenders, MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time
- Hubert Lenoir, Darlène
- Partner, In Search of Lost Time
- Snotty Nose Rez Kids, The Average Savage
- U.S. Girls, In a Poem Unlimited
- Weaves, Wide Open
“Many jurors expressed their difficulty narrowing down their ballots. The diligence that went into their listening and consideration produced an incredible Short List,” said Polaris jury foreperson Katherine Duncan. “These 10 titles traverse language and culture and highlight the beauty and richness of Canada`s musical life in 2018.”
The announcement took place earlier today at CBC Broadcasting Centre in Toronto, ON and was announced by CBC Music Mornings host and Polaris juror, Raina Douris. Douris will also host the Polaris Music Prize Gala, which will be held at The Carlu in Toronto on September 17 and live-streamed at cbcmusic.ca/polaris.
Following today`s announcement, Raina Douris, host of Mornings on CBC Music, will moderate a live round table discussion via CBCMusic.ca/polaris and on the CBC Music Facebook page at 10:45 a.m. ET. Jury members, Erin Lowers, Guillaume Moffet and Melissa Vincent, will weigh in on this year`s Short List and debate who could take home the top prize this September. Later this evening, Drive host, Rich Terfry, will share the songs and stories behind the Polaris Music Prize Short List on CBC Music at 6 p.m. (6:30 NT). Visit cbcmusic.ca/polaris for more information and Polaris Music Prize coverage.
The Polaris Music Prize awards $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year, judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration for genre or record sales. Additionally, the nine other nominated acts whose albums make the 2018 Short List will receive $3,000 each courtesy of Slaight Music.
Albums eligible for 2018 Polaris Music Prize consideration must be released between June 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018. An independent jury of music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers from across Canada determine the Long List and Short List. Eleven people from the larger jury pool are then chosen to serve on the Grand Jury. This Grand Jury convenes on the night of the Gala to select the Polaris Music Prize winner.
Past winners have included Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016), Buffy Sainte-Marie (2015), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007) and Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett (2006).
The Polaris Music Prize gala will be live-streamed on cbcmusic.ca/polaris on Sept. 17.
CBCMusic