The 2015 Polaris Music Prize Short List has been announced, highlighting this year’s top 10 albums up for consideration.
ALVVAYS – Alvvays
BADBADNOTGOOD & GHOSTFACE KILLAH – Sour Soul (Vinyl)BRAIDS – Deep in the Iris
CARIBOU – Our Love
JENNIFER CASTLE – Pink City
DRAKE – If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
TOBIAN JESSO JR – Goon
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS – Brill Bruisers
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE – POWER IN THE BLOOD
VIET CONG – Viet Cong
It was also announced that singer/songwriter Fred Penner will be the host of this year’s Gala event to determine the winner taking place on September 21 at The Carlu in Toronto.
“I am honoured to be the host for this year’s prize. I have been part of the Canadian music scene for over four decades. As I perform at festivals from coast to coast I am continually impressed with the incredible range of talent we have in this country. I particularly love that Polaris celebrates this musical diversity. The level of prestige involved with this organization is admirable and I am delighted to be associated with it,” said Penner. Fred Penner is a member of the Order of Manitoba and Order of Canada.
The Polaris Music Prize awards $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year, as selected by a jury of national music media. The nine remaining short listed artists will receive $3,000, courtesy of Slaight Music.
Judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration of genre or record sales, the prize’s past winners have included 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).