Jeremy Dutcher Has Won The 2024 Polaris Music Prize For The Album ‘Motewolonuwok’
Press Release
This is Dutcher’s second Polaris Music Prize win.
The Prize, which was presented by CBC Music, goes to the best Canadian album of the year based on artistic merit without regard to genre, sales history or label affiliation. It was determined by a Grand Jury of 11 music media professionals drawn from the greater Polaris jury pool of 207 music media and selecters from across the country. This was the 19th edition of the Polaris Music Prize.
“Six years ago, this award changed my life. I have to give unending gratitude to this music community, please keep your hands going for all of these nominees.” He continued, “Not a single album on that list sounded like each other and that speaks to the breadth of music in this place. This choir, these singers, this band, everyone who helped make this album, I love you. I didn’t think this would happen,” said Dutcher upon accepting their prize.
Dutcher’s victory came with a $50,000 monetary reward courtesy of the Slaight Family Foundation.
The 2024 Polaris Short List was:
BAMBII — INFINITY CLUB
The Beaches — Blame My Ex
Charlotte Cardin — 99 Nights
DijahSB — The Flower That Knew
Jeremy Dutcher — Motewolonuwok
Elisapie — Inuktitut
Cindy Lee — Diamond Jubilee
NOBRO — Set Your Pussy Free
Allison Russell — The Returner
TOBi — Panic
Dutcher’s name was revealed by last year’s winner Debby Friday, who also acted as the host for the Polaris Gala evening, which was held at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario. Dutcher’s win capped off a thrilling evening of music and art. The gala also featured sets from Short List nominees BAMBII, DijahSB, Jeremy Dutcher, Elisapie, NOBRO and TOBi as well as a special team up between The Beaches’ lead singer Jordan Miller and Thunder Queens. Although Charlotte Cardin was unable to perform due to illness members of Strings From Paris performed to a video from Cardin. Additionally, the gala was the Canadian debut for the Allison Russell-inspired ballet ‘Eve Was Black’ by Collage Dance and the premiere for Cindy Lee’s newest video “If You Hear Me Crying.”
All of the Polaris Gala performance videos, standout moments, and the winner’s announcement will be available at cbcmusic.ca/polaris. There will be three opportunities to listen to highlights from the Gala on CBC Music Live via CBC Radio One and CBC Listen:
* Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. NT).
* Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. NT).
* Sept. 24 at 11 p.m. ET (11:30 p.m. NT).
On Oct. 2, the entire Polaris Gala will be available to stream on CBC Gem as part of the CBC Music Presents: Live at Massey Hall series.
The Grand Jury who decided the winner included Danica Bansie (Freelance Music Supervisor, Instinct Entertainment), Stuart Berman (Pitchfork, Commotion), Del Cowie (Freelance Journalist), Véda (CIBL), Michael Elves (UMFM), Phyllis Grant (Welneweg Arts Collective), Daryl Keating (Exclaim!), Em Moore (Dominionated, Punknews), Luke Ottenhof (Freelance Journalist), Alan Ranta (Exclaim!), and Kim Wheeler (SiriusXM’s The Indigiverse, Words And Culture).
“Each year, I’m astounded in new ways by the depth of inquiry and intimate, open-hearted reflections of the Grand Jury as they select the Canadian record most deserving of the Polaris Music Prize. It’s the culmination of a generous, yearlong process by our entire constellation of jury members,” said Melissa Vincent, Polaris Jury Foreperson. “I would like to extend my deepest congratulations to this year’s winner and all the phenomenal records on the Short List. These musical projects cast light on shared experiences, helping us make sense of the world and inspiring new paths forward. They have earned your time, ears, and attention.”
Polaris also used the evening to make two other major announcements, revealing that the 20th anniversary edition of the Polaris Music Prize Gala will once again take place at Massey Hall on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 as well as revealing the 12 nominated albums for this year’s public-vote hall of fame award, the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize. Voting for that is now open.
The Polaris Music Prize awards $50,000 courtesy of Slaight Family Foundation, going to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year, judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration for genre or record sales.
ALBUM ELIGIBILITY
Albums eligible for 2024 Polaris Music Prize consideration must be released between April 1, 2023 and May 1, 2024. An independent jury of musical selectors from across Canada and the adjoining unceded Indigenous lands determines the Long List and Short List. Eleven people from the larger jury pool are then chosen to serve on the Grand Jury. This Grand Jury then convenes to select the Polaris Music Prize winner.
POLARIS WINNERS
The past winners are Debby Friday (2023), Pierre Kwenders (2022), Cadence Weapon (2021), Backxwash (2020), Haviah Mighty (2019), Jeremy Dutcher (2018), Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016), Buffy Sainte-Marie (2015), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007) and Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett (2006).
POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE 2024 EVENT SEASON
June 11 – Long List Announcement: The Long List is where Polaris reveals the 40 nominated albums that will be considered for a given year’s Prize.
July 11 – Short List Announcement: Selected from the 40 album Long List, the Short List is where Polaris reveals the 10 finalist albums that will be considered for a given year’s Prize.
September 17 – Polaris Gala: Our prestige winner reveal event, the Polaris Gala features live musical performances from the nominated acts on the Polaris Short List. The Polaris Prize winner is determined by an 11-member Polaris Grand Jury selected from the greater Polaris juror pool.
October 17 – Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize: The Heritage Prize is a hall of fame-minded critics prize/public polling campaign meant to celebrate classic Canadian albums created before Polaris began in 2006. Like the Polaris Music Prize, winners and nominees of the Heritage Prize are albums of the highest artistic distinction, without regard to sales or affiliations.
We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
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