Globe and Mail : Montreal’s elegant orchestral rockers Karkwa

 Two francophone acts make it to Polaris shortlist

Polaris has spoken – and in both official languages.

The short list of 10 contenders for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize includes a pair of francophone acts: The Acadian party-music pranksters Radio Radio (for Belmundo Regal) and Montreal’s elegant orchestral rockers Karkwa (for Les Chemins De Verre).

Other nominees include a pair of former Polaris winners: Caribou, the Ontario electronica artist otherwise known as Daniel Snaith, who won in 2008. And Toronto indie-pop violinist Owen Pallett, who called himself Final Fantasy when he captured the $20,000 award in Polaris’s inaugural 2006 contest. This year Caribou’s Swim and Pallett’s Heartland are in contention.

Familiar acts this year who have been nominated previously include Broken Social Scene, London, Ont., rapper Shad, and Montreal’s The Besnard Lakes.

The Polaris panel of more than 200 taste-makers has a strong affection for college-radio indie music. Thus, rounding out the list of hopefuls are Vancouver’s alt-pop twins Tegan and Sara, Toronto roots-rockers the Sadies, and the emotive Vancouver singer-songwriter Dan Mangan.

The winner will be debated by a jury and announced on Sept. 20.

By Brad Wheeler

TORONTO — Globe and Mail Update Published on Tuesday, Jul. 06, 2010