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FYI

Loreena McKennitt: 'I Never Wanted To Be A Singer...'

In a recent interview, the mystical soul singer talks about her career, how her latest album may be her last and how her quest for knowledge has affected her explorations in music.

Loreena McKennitt: 'I Never Wanted To Be A Singer...'

By External Source

“I wouldn’t have even known what the Order of Canada was. I never wanted to be a singer. I wanted to be a vet.


I studied Agriculture in the University of Manitoba, but never finished my degree as I went into music. But the decision to go into music was always at arm’s length. It was always, ‘I will continue on but on my terms.’

I never planned or knew what I was going to do, but I always knew what I didn’t want to do.”

Loreena McKennitt, Spill Magazine

 

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Amber Still, executive director of the Polaris Music Prize
Johanna Stickland

Amber Still, executive director of the Polaris Music Prize

Awards

‘Protect the Prize’: The Polaris Music Prize Undergoes Its Biggest Period of Change

Now entering its third decade, the Canadian critic’s prize has expanded its voting pool, adjusted to financial constraints and begun awarding both albums and songs. After years defined by its refined focus, the changes mark a major expansion of the organization’s mission.

In 2025, the Polaris Music Prize celebrated its 20th anniversary. Entering its third decade, the award is undergoing what might be its biggest period of change. From funding to voting process, the organization is continuing to evolve.

The cultural not-for-profit organization has spent the better part of two decades creating a space in the industry for Canadian acts to be recognized based solely artistic merit, rather than sales, genre or support from a record label. Founded in the 2000s as Canada's answer to the Mercury Prize, the organization became a registered Canadian charity in 2017.

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