Polaris

was, like chromewaves, at the launch event yesterday for the Polaris Music Prize, an interesting new development touted as Canada's own version of the Nationwide Mercury Prize, which has to its own credit done a great job at raising the profile for developing artists in the UK.

The title sponsor is still in works for Polaris (I suppose the snowmobile manufacturer isn't interested in an easy tie-in), but is said to be a "major media company" which prompted talk yesterday of it being of the Roger/Bell/CHUM ilk being the frontrunners.

One hopes that these negotiations include a multi-year deal from said (or rather unsaid) sponsor, so that this can over the long run really accomplish building exposure for so many artists here that deserve more attention than say, Juno nominee (sigh) Rex Goudie.

I couldn't help but noticing that the juror list is very similar to that employed by eye for their own annual critic's poll, which then suggests BSS will be a clear frontrunner in the ranks...but we all knew that anyways.