Karkwa capture Polaris Prize

Five years into the life of the Polaris Music Prize, we can say definitively that no matter what permutation of Canadian music critics ends up on the Grand Jury, the people behind Polaris love to play star-maker.

From an album title about pooing (Final Fantasy), to an off-the-wall, anonymous singer-songwriter (Patrick Watson) to “the band with the unprintable name” (Fucked Up), the Polaris always favours the underdog, which is the biggest reason Karkwa’s capturing of the oversize $20,000 cheque last night at the Masonic Temple ceremony should be no surprise (and come to think of it, it wasn’t much of one to me—I predicted it).

But if 2009’s parade of nudity and expletives was a sign of Canada’s foremost music prize acting out in an attempt to add a touch of brashness to the country’s famous humility, the event was dead set on keeping it inclusive this time around.

In sharp contrast to last year’s food-fight melee, the evening was imbued with the spirit of camaraderie. Inaugural Polaris winner Owen Pallett added a delicate string arrangement to Tegan and Sara’s wistful set, helping to turn two cuts from Sainthood, the twins’ hardest album yet, into an arresting display of vulnerability. And before their own set, Karkwa’s drummer combo elevated slick Acadian hip-hoppers Radio Radio’s rhymes about footwear into a full-scale rave-up.



When their turn came up, the Montreal-based five-piece gave a taste of their echoey, reverb-washed indie rock to a crowd of musicians and critics who’d barely given them a pity listen before the gala began.

But as Karkwa (a phonetic pronunciation of "quiver," as in, "a holder for arrows") kicked into glorious renditions of "L'acouphene" and the title track from their fourth album, Les Chemins de Verre, it was a loud and clear message to the Anglophone audience that they aren’t newcomers. They’re a highly-decorated veteran band with four records and a boatload of ADISQ awards (Quebec’s answer to the Junos) on their 12-year résumé. The Polaris is just one more (admittedly very-high profile) piece to be added to their mantle.



The jubilant band put their broken English to the test at a post-gala press conference in which they stressed two points repeatedly: they don’t want their selection to be viewed as a political move, and now that they’ve won, they’re taking their act across the continent.

Keyboardist Francois Lafontaine said, “We represent the Montreal scene, but the French one. We know the Arcade Fire, Land of Talk, we know all those bands. They’re all friends, but we won this prize outside of Quebec, and we sing in French, so….”

Singer Louis-Jean Cormier added: “Our first thoughts were to work in France, and Belgium, and Switzerland, and all the francophone countries. [Now] we are here holding a cheque in Toronto, and we’re beginning to think, ‘Why don’t we play in our country — in the west of Canada, and the States?’ Maybe we’re at the beginning of something.”

“We’ve gotta make an effort in the east and the west,” said Lafontaine. “Music is a universal language.”

As for how they’ll spend the cash, Cormier said it’s time a few more names were added to the payroll.

“Maybe we’ll buy a new van, but maybe we should hire a new tour manager, a REAL one! 'Cause [drummer] Stéphane [Bergeron] is our tour manager, but he’s a drummer also, and he needs to be relaxed.”



When I caught up with them one-on-one as the evening was drawing to a close, I couldn’t help but remind the band that during our first two interviews about the prize, they relentlessly downplayed their chances despite my continued suggestion they were legitimate contenders. Lafontaine said the gesture stuck with him.

“You know what? I was thinking of you because, when I went onstage, I saw your fucking face, I was like, ‘He asked me, Why not? Why not? You can win this fucking contest!’”

When I asked what Karkwa has planned for their next bold career move, a chorus of answers suggested they aren’t thinking too far ahead.

“Just play music.”

“Drink!”

“Go to the Drake Hotel!”

“Drink at the Drake Hotel!”

“Go to the Drink Hotel!”