Polaris 2012

Get to Know Your Short List

Cold Specks

I Predict a Graceful Expulsion

Born Al Spx in Etobicoke, and currently residing in London, England; 23 year-old Cold Specks has a sensibility far beyond her years. Her music, described as “doom soul”, has the heart of a deep south gospel, the nostalgia of Amy Winehouse and a touch of Macy Gray’s “get that girl a cough drop!” throatiness.
 
Perhaps Cold Specks’ greatest talent is knowing her voice and how to properly complement it. The instrumentation used throughout I Predict a Graceful Expulsion serve only to support and showcase her vocals. Even when there are several instruments playing, the music swelling behind her, it seems minimal. The end result is a variety of  roomy, and relaxed arrangements that range from peaceful and quiet to powerfully engaging.
 
Her debut album was released in late May, but she is already receiving critical acclaim in the UK, having performed on Later With Jules Holland and appearing in NME. Now she finds herself on the Polaris Prize Short List with a better than slim chance of actually winning. Not that it has anything to do with the end result, but a solo female has never won the top prize. Just sayin’.
 
The winner will be chosen at the Polaris Gala on September 24th in Toronto. Catch the live webcast on Muchmusic.com
 

Polaris 2012

Polaris Music Prize

Short List Nominees (the real ones)

 
Well, if you checked out my predictions prior to the announcement (or just scroll down a bit) you’ll know how very wrong I was. To my credit, I painstakingly cut both Cold Specks and Feist at the last minute. Dumb.
 
Regardless, I give you the 2012 Polaris Music Prize Short List nominees:
 
Cadence Weapon- Hope in Dirt City

Cold Specks- I Predict a Graceful Expulsion

Drake- Take Care

Kathleen Edwards- Voyageur

Feist- Metals

Fucked Up- David Comes to Life

Grimes- Visions

Handsome Furs- Sound Kapital

Japandroids- Celebration Rock

YAMANTAKA//SONIC TITAN- YT//ST
 
Congrats to all the nominees! Check back in the next few weeks for more in-depth reviews of the Top 10. The winner will be picked in Toronto on Sept 24th 2012.