Tanya Tagaq's Animism Wins the 2014 Polaris Music Prize

After an astonishing live performance that earned her a standing ovation at its gala, Tanya Tagaq won the prestigious Polaris Music Prize for her groundbreaking album, Animism. Released on Six Shooter Records, the album has received no shortage of rave reviews and coverage from national and international media for the acclaimed, Cambridge Bay-raised, Brandon-based Inuit throat singer and composer.

Tagaq's name was revealed by host Jay Baruchel at the gala event on September 22 at Toronto's The Carlu. The winner was chosed by the 11-person grand jury, selected from the larger jury pool -- which includes 150 national music journalists, broadcasters, and bloggers.

Now in its ninth year, the coveted prize awards to $30,000 to the best full-length Canadian album. The jury makes its selection entirely on artistic merit and not sales figures. Past winners include Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Arcade Fire, Feist, Patrick Watson, and Karkwa. 

Tagaq will soon hit the road for a fall tour, including a stop at Winnipeg's Burton Cummings Theatre on October 24 with David Suzuki and others for the Blue Dot Tour.

THE 2014 POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE SHORT LIST IS (In Alphabetical Order):

Arcade Fire – Reflektor
Basia Bulat – Tall Tall Shadow
Mac DeMarco – Salad Days
Drake – Nothing Was The Same
Jessy Lanza – Pull My Hair Back
Owen Pallett – In Conflict
Shad – Flying Colours
Tanya Tagaq – Animism
Timber Timbre – Hot Dreams
YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN - UZU

Watch Geoff Berner's introduction and Tagaq's Polaris performance at the 3:18:33 mark...