Whatever's Cool With Me
Thursday June 22nd, 2023 with Ryan Bresee
The Polaris Music Prize 2023 Long List Episode

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Instrumental
Infinite - 360 Degrees

Dans les bois
Alexandra Streliski - Neo-Romance

Conspiring with nature
Badge Epoque Ensemble - Clouds Of Joy

We live on a fucking planet, and baby, that's the sun
All Hands Make Light - Darling The Dawn

Water & tools
Jairus Sharif - Water & Tools

Say less, do more
You Do Right - A Murmur, Boundless To The East

Carvers, farriers, and knaves
Big Brave - Nature Morte

Good luck
Debby Friday - Good Luck

Faded state
Home Front - Games Of Power

All my people
Dan Mangan - Being Somewhere

Time
Nico Paulo - S/T

Hiding out in the open
Feist - Multitudes

Once upon a time in Montreal
Murray Lightburn - Once Upon A Time In Montreal

Only Daedalus
U.S. Girls - Bless This Mess

voyager
poolblood - mole

Lottery noises
Alvvays - Blue Rev

Kingmaker
Tami Neilson - Kingmaker

Stop and start
The Sadies - Colder Streams

Neon blue
Mariel Buckley - Everywhere I used To Be

Wasted on you
Andy Shauf - Norm

Le balcon
Bibi Club - Le Soleil Et La Mer

Saison des orages
N NAO - L'eau Et Les Reves

Cold night
Begonia - Powder Blue

Ego Death
Aysanabee - Watin

Dodem
Zoon - Bekka Ma'iingan

Lovely
Khotin - Release Spirit

Clout chaser anthem
Gayance - Mascarade

Energy vampire
Witch Prophet - Gateway Experience

Elevator
Planet Giza - Ready When You Are

All night long
Jaywood - Slingshot

Magic
Aquakultre - Don't Trip

Paint the town red
Snotty Nose Rez Kids - I'm Good, HBU?

Interactive CKCU

Benoît
G'day. The name Badge Époque caused me to go "huh?" until I ran across this (see 2nd name): "Badge Époque Ensemble is an instrumental funk group from Toronto, Canada. Sites: Bandcamp. Members: Alia O'Brien, Badge Epoch, Chris Bezant, Ed Squires, Giosue Rosati, Jay Anderson (4), Karen Ng, Max Turnbull "

9:23 AM, June 22nd, 2023

hb
Hi B! Hi Robo Ryan!;-) Happy summer!

9:32 AM, June 22nd, 2023

PeterB co-hosting slut, reformed
Pleasing ly spacey-heavy thus far! Cowering from the oncoming sweaty heat....

10:20 AM, June 22nd, 2023

B
I think the main benefit of the Polaris lies in its long list, and then its short list. It brings newer and "alternative" artists to more general attention. As for guessing about the winner, it seems to me you start by eliminating anyone, any group that's won before, that's known, or that's "regular" -- often it's the most irregular, or novel, or different, or socially boosted performers that win. IOW, I think the "artistic basis only" works against anyone that's already known*, and favours the most currently unusual. Which ain't necessarily "artistic" in itself, but I'll admit that the "artistic" aspect is usually there. "Accessible", probably not. *ex.: Even if Karkwa was known in Qc, the group was fairly unknown in English Canada.

10:21 AM, June 22nd, 2023

B
Peter B: I went cycling before breakfast for that very reason. Over 26 I feel is HOT. I don't do well at 32...

10:22 AM, June 22nd, 2023

PeterB
Me too on the 30+ B! I'd rather go -30 -- put on the big parka, russian furry hat, scarf, extra long johns and good to go. Heat, well, one can only remove so may clothes before getting arrested or mock by the neighbors.

10:37 AM, June 22nd, 2023

B
P/B: quite right! Yet, we now rarely get below -20...

10:40 AM, June 22nd, 2023

PeterB
Glad to see Feist / 'Multitude' on the list. It is a thoroughly excellent work, top-to-bottom. And I believe mostly all her, with maybe a drummer here and there -- many layers of vocal, keys, guitars, "chamber orchestrate"... I think her best yet, and that's saying a lot!

10:45 AM, June 22nd, 2023

B
Nobody else sings like Molly Rankin of Alvvays. So recognisable!

10:48 AM, June 22nd, 2023

Julie
Wow! I loved Kingmaker and Tami Neilson's voice is incredible.

10:59 AM, June 22nd, 2023

Adriana
Another great list of artists on the long list!

11:19 AM, June 22nd, 2023

PB
Greetings Adriana, of HexBog infamy i assume. Regardless, passing hopes of peace, and hugs, forward to all. Yes, GREAT long list this year!!

11:25 AM, June 22nd, 2023

Benoît
Julie, I was lucky enough to catch her at the (much-lamented) Black Sheep Inn. Not "my usual kind of singer", probably struck me as too country or something -- before the show. But I was there... Well, she blew the room away! Not only the voice, but also the musicianship and the stagecraft! If you ever get the chance, buy the ticket!

11:31 AM, June 22nd, 2023

Julie
Thanks Benoit. I would love to see her live!!

11:37 AM, June 22nd, 2023

B
"Energy vampire" inevitably brings to mind the character Colin Robinson in What We Do in the Shadows (t.v. version). Great different characters in that series!

11:49 AM, June 22nd, 2023

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