Nobody expected Godspeed You! Black Emperor to show up at the Polaris Music Prize Gala on Monday night -- which their album "Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend" wound up winning in one of the Canadian music award's ever-unpredictable outcomes -- because that's just not what they do.
For the past two decades, the Montreal post-rock collective has defined music's anti-corporate indie aesthetic, allowing them to create a business model that makes supporting them financially a political statement in and of itself for their fanbase. This has allowed them to survive the industry's post-Napster downward spiral while avoiding doing interviews or anything else that smacks of collaboration with The Man. (They also own a couple music venues and a recording studio in Montreal.)
This place of privilege also allowed them to respond to their win with a morning-after communiqué that ripped the Polaris Prize a new one. After thanking "kanadian music-writers" for the prize (Polaris is voted on by a jury of 200 music journalists, bloggers and broadcasters while the final prize is decided by an 11-member grand jury) they made "3 quick bullet-points that almost anybody could agree on maybe"
- holding a gala during a time of austerity and normalized decline is a weird thing to do.
- organizing a gala just so musicians can compete against each other for a novelty-sized cheque doesn't serve the cause of righteous music at all.
- asking the toyota motor company to help cover the tab for that gala, during a summer where the melting northern ice caps are live-streaming on the internet, IS FUCKING INSANE, and comes across as tone-deaf to the current horrifying malaise.
They then went on to decry the corporate banners and culture overlords while dismissing a music prize that shortlisted the likes of themselves and their experimental saxophonist labelmate Colin Stetson as "lazy money patting itself on the back." (The rest of the short list was pretty underground, too, with Metric and Tegan & Sara as the only marginally mainstream nominees.)
Unfortunately, their rant about Polaris' corporate hypocrisy -- given its claim to be about recognizing "artistic merit" -- undercut the coolest thing about their win. Their Constellation records label boss (who does have Godspeed's dreaded "gov't. culture-money in [his] pockets") accepted on their behalf and said they'd be using their $30,000 winnings to fund musical instruments and musical education for Quebec prisons.
Pretty subversive move, to redistribute corporate money to support prisoners rehabilitation through music -- and it's not unprecedented as the past two winners Arcade Fire and Feist also reportedly donated their money, albeit to less controversial causes.
But if Godspeed thinks all corporate money is bad, they just shouldn't have taken it because their donation proves opposite. They may think Polaris would be better without that sponsorship money, but the prisoners who will now be benefiting would probably beg to differ.
It's not where the money comes from in this "time of austerity and normalized decline," it's where it goes.
In fact, Godspeed could have withdrawn themselves from the competition months ago after making the Polaris Prize Long List, opening up the winner's circle to another nominee. But then we wouldn't be
debating their acceptance statement.
Accusations of hypocrisy always open up the accuser to same -- and GY!BE are about to open for Nine Inch Nails in arenas across America that are named after banks and insurance brokers, arenas between which they will presumably travel in a polar icecap-melting vehicle. Should they have turned down the tour? Of course not, but where's the line?
Godspeed do make some valid critiques -- the presence of a Toyota Scion inside the gala's new fancy-pants venue The Carlu was kinda gross, though the brand is well-known for putting money into undergound hip-hop, metal and electronic music scenes. But the fact that they won without deigning to participate undercuts much of their complaint.
Maybe they could have even looked beyond their anti-corporate shtick and criticized the fact that their win marks yet another victory for white folks with guitars during a year where A Tribe Called Red were bridging EDM with Idle No More to bring marginalized Aboriginal culture into mainstream youth culture.
Tribe's an act that actually could have benefited from both the prize money and the attendant media attention -- and if they had won that would indeed have, to use Godspeed's own words, served the cause of righteous music.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! (Full Album)
Here's the complete new album of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Track list 1. Mladic 00:10 2. Their Helicopters' Sing 20:20 3. We Drift Like Worried Fire 27:00...
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!
A Tribe Called Red - Nation II Nation
Metric - Synthetica
Zaki Ibrahim - Every Opposite
Tegan and Sara - Heartthrob
Young Galaxy - Ultramarine
Whitehorse - The Fate of the World Depends on This Kiss
Purity Ring - Shrines
METZ - METZ
Colin Stetson - New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light
How Tegan and Sara wrote "Closer" - Road to Polaris
Metz's year of dogs and touring - Road to Polaris
A Tribe Called Red connect with Idle No More - Road to Polaris
Zaki Ibrahim "Every Opposite" making-of - Road to Polaris
Whitehorse's Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland in the studio - Road to Polaris
Metric take it from the studio to the stage - Road to Polaris
Young Galaxy's Swedish adventure - Road to Polaris
Colin Stetson reflects on his solo trilogy and the influence of Bon Iver - Road to Polaris
Polaris Prize Long List Nominees
Tegan and Sara - Closer [OFFICIAL HD MUSIC VIDEO]
2012 WMG "Closer" by Tegan and Sara, from the album Heartthrob. Get it on iTunes! http://bit.ly/14nG8br Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeganandS...
METRIC - Breathing Underwater [Official Video]
Synthetica Deluxe will be available November 20th. Synthetica, featuring "Breathing Underwater," is available on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/metricsynthetica ...
Zaki Ibrahim - 'Go Widdit' (HD)
GoWiddit video featuring Vintage Cru. From the album #EveryOpposite | © 2012 Motif Records Director: Zandi Tisani Producers: Laurence Hamburger, Zandi Tisan...
Purity Ring - Fineshrine
From the album "Shrines" out July 23(UK)/24(US and Canada) - http://bit.ly/M8CHwn Directed by Young Replicant - http://www.youngreplicant.com/ http://purityr...
YOUNG GALAXY - Pretty Boy (Single)
Paper Bag Records 2013 - Young Galaxy Ultramarine out April 23 worldwide.
Metz - Wasted [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Subscribe To Sub Pop's YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/subpoprecords METZ YouTube Playlist http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9C19E767B3F3F72...
Colin Stetson - To See More Light
Colin Stetson - To See More Light from New History Warfare Vol 3.
'Emerald Isle' by Whitehorse
http://www.cbcmusic.ca The duo of Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland aka Whitehorse performed for CBC Radio 2's Drive in Studio 211.
The Other 30 Albums From The Polaris Prize Long List
Anciients - Raise the Sun
The amazing opening track off of the band's equally amazing full-length debut, Heart of Oak. Do yourselves a favor and support this wonderful band. See them ...
The Besnard Lakes - People of the Sticks
The Besnard Lakes "People of the Sticks" Directed by Joseph Yarmush and Petros Kolyvas Album Buy Links iTunes http://glnk.it/1y0 Amazon http://glnk.it/1xz SC...
Louis-Jean Cormier - Tout le monde en même temps
Acheter l'album: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/le-treizieme-etage/id555983372?l=fr Maison de production / Production House: Parce Que Films Réalisateur /...
Daphni - Ye Ye
Video by: Jane Eastlight http://janeeastlight.tumblr.com/ From the upcoming album JIAOLONG by Daphni. JIAOLONG005 Tracklist: Yes, I Know Cos-Ber-Zam - Ne Noy...
Mac DeMarco // "My Kind of Woman" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Mac DeMarco '2' LP/CD/MP3 now available worldwide on Captured Tracks iTunes: http://goo.gl/oYjFh LP/CD: http://goo.gl/qamln Director: Alex Lill Producer: Car...
Evening Hymns- Dead Deer (official video)
from the album 'Spirit Guides' available on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/evening-hymns/id268049531 new album now available: http://eveninghymns....
Hannah Georgas "The Beat Stuff"
Hannah Georgas The Beat Stuff featuring Spencer from Said The Whale www.myspace.com/bandhannah.
Chilly Gonzales - White Keys (from SOLO PIANO II)
White Keys from SOLO PIANO II Presented in PIANOVISION Album out now! Order your Deluxe Version on iTunes now: http://smarturl.it/solopiano2 Follow us on Fac...
Jim Guthrie - Bring on the Night
From the album - Takes Time by Jim Guthrie @jampants Available May 7th, 2013 on Static Clang http://staticclang.com Bandcamp: http://jimguthrie.bandcamp.com/...
Hayden - Rainy Saturday [Official Video]
Official music video for "Rainy Saturday" from 'Us Alone' available now on Arts & Crafts. BUY PHYSICAL & MERCH: http://galleryac.com/artists/hayden.html BUY ...
Alaclair Ensemble & K6A - Brizasseurs de Fizzoules
Réalisé par Max Pouliot et Créations Rivales http://rivales.ca http://vimeo.com/maxpouliot Production: Robert Nelson et le Alaclair High Réal.: Max P...
KEN mode - "Counter Culture Complex" (Official Music Video)
SUBSCRIBE to Pitchfork.tv: http://bit.ly/MgXoZp MORE Music Videos: http://bit.ly/J27abt Three warriors awaken a demon, KEN mode perform in a snowy field. ---...
Kid Koala - '8 bit Blues (Chicago to LA to NY)' (Official Video)
Official video for Kid Koala's '8 bit Blues', taken from the album '12 bit Blues', released 17 September 2012 on Ninja Tune. Buy at the Ninjashop: http://bit...
Kobo Town - Across the Dark Waters
Great tune off de album call Independence Stand up Trinidad! I don own any rights to dis tune nor de picture. Jus put it up for everyone to enjoy.
Pierre Lapointe - PUNKT
Réalisation: Alexandre Grégoire www.vimeo.com/user500342.
I'M GONNA STAY THAT WAY - LeE HARVeY OsMOND
Official award-winning music video for Lee Harvey Osmond's "I'm Gonna Stay That Way" by director Ryan Furlong. Title: I'm Gonna Stay That Way Artist: LEE HAR...
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Procurez-vous l'album « Le poids des confettis » ici: http://lessoeursboulay.bandcamp.com Ne manquez pas Les sœurs Boulay au Club Soda le 21 juin 2013 dans l...
Corb Lund - Gettin' Down on the Mountain (Online Exclusive)
Gettin' Down on the Mountain - share it! #cabinfever From the new album, 'Cabin Fever' in stores & online worldwide August 14, 2012 via New West Records. "We...
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Official music video for Old Man Luedecke's 'Little Stream of Whiskey' from his latest album "Tender is the Night." For more info on the album visit www.oldm...
Daniel Romano - "Time Forgot (To Change My Heart)" - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Directed by @KenGalloway, Produced by Supinder Wraich and Matt Power, Executive Producer: Cherie Sinclair, Coordinator: Alicia Moore, DOP: Juan Montalvo, Art...
The Luyas - "Montuno" (Official Video)
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Follow Joshua Ostroff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joshuaostroff
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