Polaris People For The Week Of March 30 – Radio Radio Songs, Mangan Breakouts, Arcade Fire Vids And More

Right about now just about everyone in the Canadian music universe is heading to Ottawa, Ontario to hang with our cousin, the Juno Awards. Polaris jurors will be all over the event, as will many, many artists who’ve been nominated for the Polaris Short and Long List over the years.

While folks have been making establishing betting lines, telling us what to expect, and making bold predictions about who the winners will be, we’re more concerned with how the Juno results will affect Polaris voting in a couple months. After all, if, as has been suggested, the likes of Dan Mangan and Cuff the Duke, win Junos, who’s to say the big P Prize won’t be theirs either? We’ll find out in September.

Meanwhile, a number of confirmed Polaris People has busy a busy week. Here’s what they were up to:

Two-time Polaris nominee Joel Plaskett got really high during Canadian Music Week. He’s also putting out a split seven-inch with Jeremy Fisher.

2007 Short List nominee Feist has been busy. She’s been regaining her self-respect, worrying about her old school and doing Jesus And Mary Chain covers.

Ron Sexsmith, he of the 2011 Short List nom and moonie-eye fandom directed his way from Chris Martin, will be headlining the Dawson City Music Festival and performing on the Junos. It’s a good thing he didn’t quit music.

The Montreal Gazette wants us to know the difference between 2010 Shortie nominee Dan Mangan and Dallas Green. It should be easy because Mangan’s no longer an underdog what with his four Juno noms and all. Plus, he’s performing with a symphony.

Last year’s Polaris champs Arcade Fire released a video of the band’s travels in Haiti. They’ve also found out Macy Gray is going to cover one of their songs.

While all this was going on Kathleen Edwards was enjoying eating the alphabet.

And charming wonder twin powers Tegan And Sara have another “Carpool Confession†video. This time they’re discussing how they sometimes drink alone.

Language bending party rappers Radio Radio will have a new album coming out April 17. In the meantime the band’s offering up a teaser, a single download for “Sunrise/All Inclusive War Tour.”

The Sadies are apparently spending a lot of time on airplanes lately.

And finally, The Weeknd might be playing Lollapalooza if, y’know, the fest’s cheeky word clue ads are being decoded correctly.