Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize

“Winning the Polaris for Grab The Gun is a wonderful surprise. This record would not exist without the talents of Paul Forgues and the late Todd Simko, who poured countless hours into every song on a shoestring budget. Paul recorded most of the tracks in the back of an unfinished office space, and Todd mixed the album in his garage studio. We are deeply grateful to everyone who continues to listen, and to those who stood with us in a time when queerness was ridiculed and shamed. We also acknowledge that the landscape remains hostile towards trans people and we urge Canadians to protect our most vulnerable. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! ”

— Katie Sketch, The Organ

“Forty years later, I still feel like a baby musician, still inching towards my prime. The songs on my new recording, Thicket, are about struggling to become more conscious, that darn ego, dogs, Atlantis, dogs and joy. So, nothing has changed really. I am grateful to be a musician, sweating a privilege to be a musician and possibly of service. Thank you to everyone, whoever you are, whatever you are doing. May whatever lights you up be your compass. Helping each other remember our original beauty, innocence and joy. Joy to musicians world-wide.”

— Jane Siberry