The long list of 40 albums has been announced for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize. Nominees range from established award-winners to brand new emerging artists. This year the jury considered 225 albums. This 40 will be whittled down to a 10 album shortlist, which will be revealed on July 17. The winner will be chosen by an 11 member grand jury on September 17 at the Polaris gala at the Carlu.
The winner for Album of the Year will be selected by the Polaris Grand Jury, receive $50,000 and be honoured at the Polaris Music Prize Gala (held at The Carlu in Toronto on September 17, and simulcast on CBC Music and AUX.tv). The remaining nine artists will receive $3,000 each, courtesy of Slaight Music.
Among the 40 artists on the Polaris long list, the following are supported by CIMA and our members:
Bernice – Puff LP: In The Air Without A Shape: Arts & Crafts
Cadence Weapon – Cadence Weapon: eOne Music
Charlotte Day Wilson – Stone Woman: Paquin Entertainment Group
Donovan Woods – Both Ways: Paquin Entertainment Group
Faith Healer – Try 😉 Mint Records, Inc.
Frigs – Basic Behaviour: Arts & Crafts
Gord Downie – Introduce Yerself: Arts & Crafts
Hubert Lenoir – Darlène: Simone Records
Jean-Michel Blais – Dans Ma Main: Arts & Crafts
Jennifer Castle – Angels of Death: Idée Fixe Records
Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa: MusicOntario Member
Mélissa Laveau – Radyo Siwèl: Bonsound
Milk & Bone – Deception Bay: Bonsound
Pierre Kwenders : Bonsound
Terra Lightfoot – New Mistakes: Sonic Unyon Records
The Barr Brothers – Secret City Records Inc.
The Weather Station – The Weather Station: Outside Music
YAMANTAKA//SONIC TITAN – Dirt: Paper Bag Records