For the second year, due to the on-going pandemic, the Polaris Music Prize and CBC Music live streamed the 2021 winner for the best Canadian music album of the year.

Congratulations goes out to Rollie Pemberton, known as Cadence Weapon for his album, Parallel World. Released in 2021 and having excellent reviews.

The third times a charm for Cadence Weapon as he was nominated for 2 albums in 2006 and 2012.

The live stream had a chilled vibe with a loft setting. It looked more like a cool living room.

In Polaris tradition, the previous winner is there to announce the winner. 2020 winner, Backxwash was there and announced Cadence Weapon as the winner.

The exciting part with Cadence Weapon is that he recently signed with Ottawa’s Kelp Management.

You can listen the Polaris winning album on Spotify. Give it a listen.

© Polaris Music Prize 2021

Here is the 2021 Polaris Music Prize Short List (presented by CBC Music) as it was announced on July 15th, 2021;

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson – Theory of Ice
Cadence Weapon – Parallel World
DijahSB – Head Above The Waters
Dominique Fils-Aimé – Three Little Words
Mustafa – When Smoke Rises
The OBGMs – The Ends
Klô Pelgag – Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs
TOBi – Elements Vol. 1
The Weather Station – Ignorance
Zoon – Bleached Wavves

Overall, it’s a great selection. A lot of first time nominees and a few returnees.
You can also check the 2021 Long List at this link (as pdf).

It’s nice to see Cadence Weapon back as he recently wrote a post on how he was treated from his former record label and management. You can read it from this link.

With the uncertainty of event gatherings, the Gala will not be hosting for another year.

The winner will be revealed on September 27th.

Continue reading →

It’s been awhile that a Christmas entry has been written. With the pandemic continuing, there’s a sense of the Christmas spirit forgetting with the days going by quickly.

A Christmas tree has been installed at the home for the first time in decades.

Starting to forget to play the usual Christmas song to listen. Posting an audio throwback from 2013, myself and Lauren played some of the favourite Christmas tracks.

Posting some music video as an update. I never had a chance to play them while on the radio years ago.

On Spotify, there’s a playlist for Chinese Christmas songs, check here to check it out.

I wish everyone a safe Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas and a great New Year in 2021. 

Enjoy the audio and music videos.

Continue reading →

Here is the 2020 edition of The Polaris Music Prize Short List;

Backxwash – God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It
Caribou – Suddenly
Junia-T – Studio Monk
Kaytranada – Bubba
nêhiyawak – nipiy
Pantayo – Pantayo
Lido Pimienta – Miss Colombia
Jessie Reyez – Before Love Came To Kill Us
U.S. Girls – Heavy Light
Witch Prophet – DNA Activation

The Short List was announced on CBC Music on Wednesday afternoon.

There will be no Gala as CBC will be presenting in a cinematic format through their streaming platforms as well as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, on October 19th.

The winner will get the $50,000 prize for the best Canadian album based on artistic merit.

The 10 short listed albums looks to be excellent and October can’t come any sooner. Happy listening.

Slightly back from COVID-19 hiatus and no way to miss this. Every June, The Polaris Music Prize unveils their long list of 40 Canadian albums from 2019 to 2020. 

Due to the pandemic throughout the world, this year’s Long List announcement were done by past Polaris nominees as it was broadcast on social media and YouTube.

The Short List of 10 albums will be announced next month. There will not be a Gala at the Carlu this year. CBC Music will announce the winner of the 2020 Polaris Music Prize in September.

Without further ado, here’s the long list; Continue reading →