Polaris Prize Long List announced

Polaris Prize Long List announced

The 2010 Polaris Prize long list was released yesterday, and boy is it tasty. Now in it’s fifth year, the Prize seeks out talented Canadian musicians and awards them a hefty monetary award to cover the recording costs of a new album. I’m no juror, but I’ve got a short list of my own.

1. Caribou, Swim.

What do you get when you combine an IQ of 200 and a genuinely breathtaking sense of whimsy? You get Dan Snaith. Part human calculator, part unrestrained musical darling and full blown crazy.

2. Dan Mangan, Nice, Nice, Very Nice

This album name also aptly describes Mangan’s ass. But seriously. He’s got a gorgeous voice, which can be raw and throaty at just the right times.

3.Plants and Animals, La La Land

I’m a believer that having a 1:2 French:English ratio is great for a band. This trio has grown immensely from their debut Parc Avenue, after mastering the Montreal-summer sound and rediscovering distorted riffs and fuzzy pedals. Plus, the album was released on 4/20.

4. YSPWSD!, XXXX

Despite an incredibly successful year, the tragic death of drummer Devon Clifford recently put this Abbotsford rock outfit in a tough place. Creatively, XXXX has some downright catchy beats, the proper amount of ferocity and a full dose of lyrical sophistication. Bravo.

5. Shad, TSOL

Shad’s come a long way. Witty, well-spoken and thoughtful beyond his years, this hip-hop artist has some serious talent that is finally showing up on the national radar. Respect.

SPINearth video – Six questions with Shad Kabango

SPINearth video – Six questions with Shad Kabango

Second video is up! Check it out:

the old prince still lives...

the old prince still lives...

 

 

Born in London, Ontario, Shad Kabango is one of the hottest Canadian rappers today. SPINearth reporter Amanda Ash and I caught up with him in Kerrisdale, Vancouver, where he currently resides.

Shad moved to Canada at the tender age of 1 from Kenya in the early 1980’s, just as hip hop and rap were surfacing from the underground to the mainstream music scene. Originally of Rwandan descent, his family constantly moved around Africa as refugees before they settled to the east coast. Growing up with a balanced diet of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MTV then MuchMusic, Shad uses his worldview and unique perspective as you can hear for yourself in his latest album The Old Prince. These days, he’s playing in Austin, Texas at SXSW, and in June he’s taking off with Vans Warped Tour

His smooth style, realistic outlook, and lyrical sensitivity make Shad’s music  stand out, and his creative honesty will get you hooked on his tunes. If his words of wisdom about music make you want to hear more, check out Shad’s new blog.