New projects from some of Quebec’s most forward-thinking music artists have landed spots on the Polaris Music Prize shortlist.
Pop innovator Hubert Lenoir, Congolese-born Canadian Pierre Kwenders and orchestral and electronic composer Ouri are among the 10 contenders for the $50,000 prize for best Canadian album.
Also in the running is rapper Shad, from London, Ont., who along with “Tao” has a fifth album to be shortlisted for the Polaris, the most for an artist since the award’s inception in 2006.
Among the Quebec nominees, Hubert Lenoir is there for “Pictura de ipse: Direct Music”, a concept album that combines recorded conversations from his daily life with musical compositions. The singer-songwriter was also shortlisted with his debut album, “Darlene,” in 2018.
Pierre Kwenders, born José Louis Modabi in Kinshasa, Congo before moving to Montreal, nominated this year for “José Louis And The Paradox Of Love”, was also a finalist in 2018. His new album captures the dancefloor energy of Afro- Latins and features a collaboration with Win Butler and Régine Chassagne from Arcade Fire.
Ouri is the stage name of Ourielle Auvé, whose album “Frame of a Fauna” draws inspiration from her classical training in France and the electronic music she discovered while settling in Montreal.
First Nations hip-hop group Snotty Nose Rez Kids landed their third nomination for “Life After,” while Indigenous duo Ombiigizi landed on the list for their debut album “Sewn Back Together,” produced by Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene.
Other albums nominated for the Polaris include “Chiac Disco” by Lisa LeBlanc, who grew up in Rosaireville, New Brunswick, “Alpha” by Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson, “Waves” by St. John’s musician Kelly McMichael and “Labyrinthitis” by Vancouver rock band Destroyer.
The Polaris Music Prize recognizes the best Canadian album of the previous year, regardless of genre or sales, and is chosen by a panel of journalists, broadcasters and bloggers. The winning album will be announced on September 19 during a gala presentation at the Carlu in Toronto.
Tickets for the evening are available on Ticketmaster while the ceremony will be broadcast live on CBC Music.
Last year, the Polaris went to hip-hop artist Cadence Weapon for ‘Parallel World,’ a poetic reflection on cultural belonging, policing and technology that was largely inspired by the protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Each finalist receives a $3,000 scholarship.