blog post The Polaris Prize Long List Hangover

Good morning!

I'm wating till the short list to get exited about anything.

I'm very happy I don't have to choose favourites.

I can't say there were any huge surprises or disappointments for me.  I have never heard of Azari & III, but am looking forward to checking out the album.

I think the long list is pretty darn good this year. Really diverse. That said, there are quite a few albums/artists I haven't heard of. I am excited to check them out.

I think it's crazy cool that A Tribe Called Red are on the list!

My money is probably on Grimes to win, but I would love it if The Barr Brothers took it!

Diversity was the word I was looking for. It's an interesting melange of artists for sure. So fascinating to see what ends up being on the list. I'm excited for the next stage!! 

So glad Shooting Guns made the long list! Woop, Toon Town bands!

so today, only the r3 will not play on firefox for me.  other streams work.  r3 stream works on IE.

anyway, the long list is always bewildering and wonderful for me, as always.  a bunch of stuff there that i've never heard of, or heard of but haven't listened to.

does anyone know how many albums are eligible in total? 

500?  1000?  is there a list the jurors consult when determining what's eligible?  what's the total submitted for long list consideration by jurors?

.. still working on my amq™ formula. (artistic merit formula)

@EricR #10, thank you

Hey gang.  New job started and will only be blogging on Fridays now, so I have some catching up to do.

Boogers!

that is all.

@GG77 - How is the new job?

@garuk Thanks!

@carlyg It's good.  But of course I know it'll be better when the wheels get turning and I get over the always large, initial learning curve.  The other good thing is that I'm still helping out at the old job every Friday, giving me a better chance to hang out here too (and easier to go for friday lunch beers, when required)  ;-)

Imissed the first part of the show so far, has Lana told me how to win the CFF tickets yet? Because I would like to win them.

@Tom - Brabrah!!!!!

GG77 - Congrats on the new job! :)

Yes, what do you think of the list this year?

It's similar to other years, in my opinion.  It's kind of funny, when I heard the list I found myself matching up similar artists (if not repeat nominations) whom were nominated before.

How would you describe it?

Mixed bag, with personal holes.

Who do you think will win?

Japandroids - Celebration Rock

What albums have you never heard?

Probably about 2/3 of the list.  Mind you, there were a number of artists whom I've heard and enjoyed the singles, but never listened to the album yet, and never really expected them to be nominated.

What surprised you?

Azari & III by Azari & III 

Firecracker/Cloudglow by Cannon Bros.

YT//ST by Yamantaka // Sonic Titan

 I liked the songs played on R3, but didn't expect a polaris nomination! 

@GG77 #26, have you tried prunes?

@Tom 'n' Jay - Sadly, I can't. I am going for lunch with a coworker. Have fun without me.... :(

ok well I think I might pop over to the Merc for lunch regardless so Jay if you are interested, I shall be there in approximately one hour (no phone though)

What do you think of the list this year?

I think its a great list! I'm very happy to see lots and lots of female artists this year! I'm said Zeus, Eight and a Half and Said the Whale aren't on the list, but hey not everyone can get nominated, otherwise its not an award.

How would you describe it?

Eclectic

Who do you think will win?

I want Dan Mangan - Oh Fortune to win, I think Cadence Weapon - Hope in Dirt City will win. 

What albums have you never heard?

Quite a few, Azari & III, Cannon Bros, A Tribe Called Red to name a few.

What surprised you?

Lindi Ortega - Little Red Boots mostly because it doesnt' get a lot of play time on Radio 3 so I forgot about it, but I think its an amazing album and love love love it!

I feel like making the Polaris Long List, then the short list even more so must increase album sales for these artists. I know I personally bought 3 of the records listed yesterday (on top of the ones I already own)

Totally agree with Veda Hille about Apollo Ghosts. Saw them last week, one of the very best live performances I've seen in a long time. 

haha, you can tell it's NXNE.. the blog is so quiet!

Where's the Mike O'Neill Long List thinger? He should have made the cut!!

@KJ #39, was it like this last year?

@jay 36 - s'all good! Good luck with the poo.

ALSO - Lana thank you so much for the post about Loon Choir - it really made my morning for what has already been a fantastic week :)

@flanneltom That CVG album came out May of 2011, the cutoff date for this years Prize is June 1, 2011 - May 31, 2012

I'm happy a number of jury members gave some of the newer stuff a good listen and nominated accordingly (Japandroids, Cadence Weapon)

The toughest for me, if I was a jury member, would be to keep some of the older albums on the list.  I love my hooks fresh.

I sooooo wish I was going to Sled Island!

I love this song!

oh...so close!

RE: Sled Island

I'm volunteering this year.  Excited for the following shows:

BEND SINISTER

BONJAY

CFCF

DIRTY GHOSTS

DOG DAY

DUCHESS SAYS

THE EVAPORATORS

FEIST

THE HOLD STEADY

HOODED FANG

LADYHAWK

OH NO! YOKO

PARLOVR

TEEN DAZE

WE ARE THE CITY

THE ZOLAS

Also, my offer still stands to hand out swag at the CBCR3 Showcase on Wednesday, Lana.  Just send me a box.  :)

@Lounge_Act - THE HOLD STEADY!!! I really wanted to come just for them!

Sled Island tickets would be just magical...@LANA: I've been in meetings all day, how do I go about convincing you that I deserve them ever so much? I reeeeaallly want to see the Hold Steady (and Feist, obviously, but I caught her in Edmonton earlier this year and will see her again at Osheaga, so the Hold Steady is the mega draw).

Off Topic - I heard Monster Truck on my local Top 40/Classic Rock station.  Wasn't expecting that.

Denied! And now I will go eat lunch. @Lana, is the CFF ticket give away going to be a call in prize or some wort of draw?

*wort=sort

Shotgun Jimmie is coming to Sled Island too. :)

Lauren: I am torn. haha. I live out west, and like it, but miss home like crazy.

@lounge_act & Sled Island, I will keep me eyes peeled for you and any other R3ers!!  I'm over the moon about the whole event, particularly:

HOT SNAKES!!!!! If you like a little edge with your music check them out.  They just reunited late last year & should not be missed.

the Sadies, Archers of Loaf, NoMeansNo,Shadowy Men, Fiver, Ketamines, Ballantynes

!!! 

@KC #74, Sausage beans and chips

I had cod, bacon & mushroom risotto and brocolli.

Have to run, something bad went pop, there was water. everything is fine now. no no one i know just had a baby.

@ kidcauley. pringles salt and vinigar, also pineapple

I thought Ft. Mac was the unofficial capital of the Maritimes? Although Calgary might be a better choice ;)

#76 - that is my kind of dinner!

Oooooooh! The Dugout! Only surpassed by My Old Jacknife.

@Russ, yeah I can record it, I already have the full R3:30 if anyone needs it

i'm having 4 shots of expresso and some hot water for lunch.   delicious.

@smallie: where are you on fb - I want to tell you about the show I went to last night.

kid_c: Tortellini in rosé! 

@gin~sing

No sweat. Only put the time into it because I saw other 'blog commenters' getting some.

Garfy is the man!

@KCauley - Vietnamese beef and veggie and vermicelli. And beer.

I heart Bend Sinister.

Garf: :( I was so annoyed about that last night! Do you record the shows to an mp3? Would you mind emailing me the R3:30? Laurenelizabethvail@gmail.com

Whoops, @KJ re 104!

@MSteve, i'm now a member of a 'rock station'.  feel a little dirty & guilty to be using them for the promo code but whatevs.  may well be the last time to see him play with Crazy Horse

@Lauren #103. as soon as I have topped and tailed it I'll mail you a link for it

Zeus show here at Lucky Bar last month killed, seriously.  Have some photos to post

hey all! what'd I miss??

Thanks Garf!

@laurita [113] - There's some huge-ass music festival in TO and my voice is gone.

@ CDNz1: awww man. drat it all! ROMO time :(

ahhhhh i remember reading that! poor fiver though; that kid was way to young to be such a tortured soul.

@ kidcauley: DEAL. I might possibly be moving back to ottawa though to live with (duh duh DUUUHH) my parents. at least for a little while, because I am poor. 

when they are making me pull my hair out, can I escape to your house in MTL and cook delicious things and listen to your wonderful music?

@ Kid: BAHAHAHAHAHA!  this is pretty fantastic. I will try my hardest to come see you guys at Feverfest next weekend; I'm going to be in O-Town :)

My pint and delicious Bushwakkers for lunch has made me incredibly sleepy. Loud, rocking tunes would be much appreciated.

Yamataka / sonic titan is my Braids for this Polaris.  Really wanting to hear more!

 play some Sandro Perry!!

Did Lana announce how people win the CFF tickets??

@Ft or $30k divided into 10 bands.  $3k isn't a tonne but really $30k isn't a lot either; somehow most artists could probably use it.

@ Gibby, I forget the sponsor, but someone is awarding the Polaris Shortlist Prize non-winners a $2000 cheque each this year too!

CFF ticket giveaway info to come! Promise!

Ummm this cracked me up! I can't believe no one else mentioned that Carly Rae Jepson didn't get a Polaris nod!!!

I bet it's just because it's an EP (or at least, this is what I tell myself) Carly

@Laurita.snow - That's the only possible explanation.

@Lana, what about those of us outside of Canada?

IF CANNON BROS DOES NOT MAKE THE SHORT LIST I WILL KILL ALL THE KITTIES OF THE WOLRD!

@Chopz - that's harsh! HARSH!

@Chopz #149, is that a promise?

She is the one behind that song that goes "I just met you and this is crazy but here's my number so call me maybe" isn't she? Lukewarm about the song...except as performed by her + Fallon + the Roots. 

HEY TOM

This tuesday, Larry and his Flask at The Exchange.

@ Garfield - Word is bond!

@Chopz my name is Bond

@ Garf: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! day = made!

@ Smalliebigs: also peals of laughter! that song makes me laugh lots. but maybe that's because my friend who is a guy sang it and did a funny impression of her.

I found a compliation last night of that's what she said from The Office (american version). quite amusing.

Wow, Mean Sun is a great album.  The title track didn't strike me, but its a good listen.  They are in town next week, I might have to try and get out.