Tegan and SaraLindsey Byrnes
Toronto new-wave band Metric, Montreal jazz saxophonist Colin Stetson and Calgary twins Tegan and Sara are among the artists who have been named to the short list for the $30,000 Polaris Music Prize.
Although all three have been contenders for the Polaris in the past, the rest of this year's nominees made the 10-album short list for the first time in their careers.
Among those Polaris newcomers are Montreal art-rock collective Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Nanaimo, B.C.-born songwriter Zaki Ibrahim, Toronto noise-rockers Metz and Montreal electronic act Purity Ring.
The list is rounded out by Hamilton roots duo Whitehorse, Aboriginal hip-hop trio A Tribe Called Red and Montreal-based electro pop outfit Young Galaxy.
The winner of this year's Polaris will be announced at a gala in Toronto on Sept. 23.
The award is given to the best Canadian album of the previous year as decided by a 10-person grand jury of music journalists, bloggers and broadcasters.
Last year's prize was claimed by Toronto-based songstress Feist, while other previous winners include Montreal indie institution Arcade Fire, Dundas, Ont., electronic producer Caribou and Montreal rock outfit Karkwa.