Polaris Prize Winner Tanya Tagaq November 15, 2014 at Molson Canadian Studio at Hamilton Place


From a media release:

Hamilton World Music Series #2

Polaris Prize Winner Tanya Tagaq
November 15, 2014
at Molson Canadian Studio at Hamilton Place

• Tickets: $30 regular / $25 seniors & students / $20 members
Buy them online
• In person at Bryan Prince Booksellers (1060 King Street West)
• Email info@matapa.ca


“… [Tagaq] made it (Inuit throat singing) sound fiercely contemporary, futuristic even. Recalling animal noises and various other nature sounds, she was a dynamo, delivering a sort of gothic sound art while she stalked the small basement stage with feral energy.” —Jon Caramanica, The New York Times

Check out her electrifying performance at the Polaris Prize Gala:



What do free improvisation, Inuit throat singing, and hair-raising passion have in common? Add descriptors like mesmerizing, intimate and ‘pushing the edge’ and you begin to understand the endlessly inventive quality of Tanya Tagaq’s sonic equation.

Born and raised in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut in Canada’s high arctic, Tanya grew up surrounded by Inuit and western culture. It wasn’t until her teenage years that she began experimenting with Inuit throat singing, developing her signature solo style. Her first professional gig at a festival in Inuvik won the admiration of friends of Bjork, eventually leading to an appearance on the Icelandic artist’s 2004 CD, Medulla and a chance to accompany her on tour.

Tanya has released four critically-acclaimed albums, Sinaa (2005), Auk/Blood (2008), anuraaqutuq, a live recording (2010) and 2014's Animism, the stunning release which recently garnered her the Polaris Prize.

In his introduction of Tanya during the Polaris Prize ceremony, presenter Geoff Berner had this to say about her latest release,

"Animism is a masterpiece because it transcends opposites. Dizzyingly complex and sophisticated in structure, it also completely hits you in your guts, in your soul.

"It takes traditions that are tens of thousands of years old, and makes truly innovative music, music that could not have existed without Tagaq and her brilliant collaborators, violinist Jesse Zubot, drummer Jean Martin and DJ Michael Red."


Join us on November 15 as we bring this unique and innovative musician to Hamilton. Here's the trailer for Animism:

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