Polaris Music Prize

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Better Know a Jury Member # 4: Peter Hemminger June 30 2009

Peter Hemminger (Calgary)
Music and Film Editor, Fast Forward Weekly
Jury member since: 2009

Please share the Top 5 Canadian records you put on your first ballot.

Souljazz Orchestra Manifesto
Jay Crocker Below the Ocean Over
Julie Doiron I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day
Lhasa Lhasa
Pale Air Singers Pale Air Singers

Tell us about your top ranked choice. Why #1?

I first heard Souljazz when I was filling in for a friend at CJSW, Calgary's independent/campus radio station. I arbitrarily put on the track "State Terrorism," and when it was time for me to talk afterwords, all I could do was pull up my jaw and babble incoherently. That the entire record manages to maintain that intensity is absurd. I'd never given much time to Afrobeat before, but the elements of rock and funk that Souljazz bring to the mix, and the sheer skill of the band, made this one an easy choice. Well, relatively easy, at least.

Reaction to the Long List: Your most pleasant surprise? Shocked by any omissions?

Obviously, I'm disappointed that only one of my choices made it to the Long List, but the only omission that genuinely shocked me was Julie Doiron's. She made the short list two years ago for Woke Myself Up and I Can Wonder... is an even better album — I thought it was a lock. I was glad to see Charles Spearin's Happiness Project make the list, though, as it's one of the few 'concept albums' I can think of that has a genuinely novel concept, and genuinely interesting music to go with it. The most pleasant surprise, though, was seeing four Calgary-based bands on the list. Chad Van Gaalen, Rae Spoon, Women and Woodpigeon all have a solid shot at going all the way this year, and I couldn't be happier for 'em.

Describe the state of Canadian music in 5 words:

A source of ceaseless wonder.

Imagine the tables are turned and you are the nominee: What would you do with the $20,000 prize money?

That kind of cash could buy a pretty rad home studio — it'd probably go straight into some recording gear.

Related Link: Fast Forward Weekly

Good luck! RT @ElliottBROOD: The Borderline in London tonight...if we can find a parking spot.
Sep 09 2010, 11:46am from TweetDeck

You're right. Should have said "could", not "should". RT @KLMangan: @PolarisPrize Didn't say that, did he? Said he could be the underdog!
Sep 09 2010, 11:45am from TweetDeck

RT @CBCRadio3: Why does Karkwa want Radio Radio (@laradioradio) to win Polaris? http://r3.ca/09xJ
Sep 09 2010, 10:30am from TweetDeck