advertisement
FYI

Tanika Charles Named First NMC Polaris Artist Resident

R&B singer and Polaris long-lister Tanika Charles is named the inaugural recipient of Lixar and the National Music Centre present the Polaris Artist Residency that comes with a five-day residency at Studio Bell in Calgary.

Tanika Charles Named First NMC Polaris Artist Resident

By Nick Krewen

Edmonton native and Toronto-based R&B singer and songwriter Tanika Charles is the winner of the newly established Lixar and the National Music Centre present the Polaris Artist Residency.


Charles was announced as the winner at Tuesday night's Polaris Music Prize ceremony at the Carlu in Toronto, and wins a five-day residency at the National Music Centre's Studio Bell in Calgary, with travel expenses covered by Lixar. The resulting recording will be pressed to vinyl, courtesy of Lixar.

The contest was open to all 2019 Polaris Long Listers, with Charles' album The Gumption getting the nod for this expansion of the NMC's Artist in Residence program.

advertisement

The prize also includes a performance and a party by Charles, scheduled for January 2020 with further details to be announced.

advertisement
Aaron Rowe performs at Spark Arena on Dec. 2, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Dave Simpson/WireImage

Aaron Rowe performs at Spark Arena on Dec. 2, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand.

Pop

Former Ed Sheeran Opener Aaron Rowe Defends Singer Amid Macklemore Tour Fallout

"I haven't had a chance to talk to Ed too much, but I fully believe he knows that was a mistake," Rowe said.

Aaron Rowe has defended Ed Sheeran amid the continuing fallout over Macklemore’s removal from the singer’s Loop Tour, arguing that public criticism is being directed at the wrong person.

Rowe was among the artists who withdrew from Sheeran’s remaining tour dates after Macklemore was dropped from eight scheduled appearances.

keep readingShow less
advertisement