The long list that Canada had been waiting for was finally released in Vancouver on Thursday, June 14 for the Polaris Music Prize. Forty artists of several genres are in the running for $30,000. Read on to see if your favorite Canadian artist made the cut.

Since 2006, the Polaris Music Prize has broadened the horizons for music lovers by exposing fans to several different types of music. “There’s more good music in this country than just what ends up winning the big prize,” said Steve Jordan, award founder.

Votes are accumulated from 200 music journalists who disregard popularity and record sales — the focus really is the music. Qualifications for the nominees include a release date between the dates of June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. Only ten records will then be voted on and that list, the short list, will be released to the public on July 17 in Toronto.

“You never know who will win,” said Jordan.

And the nominees are…
A Tribe Called Red by A Tribe Called Red
Aux alentours by Marie-Pierre Arthur
We’re All Dying to Live by Rich Aucoin
Astronomie by Avec pas d’casque
Azari & III by Azari & III
Barchords by Bahamas
The Barr Brothers by The Barr Brothers
Kings and Queens by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
Hope in Dirt City by Cadence Weapon
Bright and Vivid by Kathryn Calder
Firecracker/Cloudglow by Cannon Bros
Blonde by Coeur de pirate
Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
I Predict A Graceful Expulsion by Cold Specks
We Have Made A Spark by Rose Cousins
Eliminate the Toxins by Mark Davis
Take Care by Drake
Voyageur by Kathleen Edwards
Metals by Feist
David Comes To Live by Fucked Up
New Wild Everywhere by Great Lake Swimmers
Visions by Grimes
Sound Kapital by Handsome Furs
Celebration Rock by Japandroids
Oh Fortune by Dan Mangan
The Pilgrimage by Mares of Thrace
MA by Ariane Moffatt
Little Red Boots by Lindi Ortega
Kook Soul by Parlovr
Impossible Spaces by Sandro Perri
Scrappy Happiness by Joel Plaskett Emergency
Death Dreams by PS I Love You
Provincial by John K. Samson
Born To Deal In Magic: 1957-1976 by Shooting Gns
The Other Side of Tomorrow by The Slakadeliqs
Adventures In Your Own Backyard by Patrick Watson
Provider by Bry Webb
Echoes of Silence by The Weekend
YT//ST by Yamantaka//Sonic Titan
Tiger Talk by Yukon Blonde