Sudbury·Audio

Sault Ste. Marie's Kalle Mattson awaits word on Polaris Prize short list

Singer-songwriter says he is the first musician from the north to be considered for the prestigious Canadian music award.
Kalle Mattson says his new album chronicles his return to the Sault after university, and the music reflects his struggle to come to terms with his mother's death five years prior. (KalleMattson.com)

Sault Ste. Marie musician Kalle Mattson is awaiting word on whether his name will appear on the Polaris Prize short list.

Mattson was named to the long list for the prestigious Canadian music prize for his latest album, Someday, The Moon Will be Gold.

The judges will pare down the Polaris nominees to a short list on July 15.

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter wrote the album in Sault Ste Marie.

Mattson said it chronicles his return to the Sault after university, and the music reflects his struggle to come to terms with his mother's death five years prior.

"Death is a really universal concept and I sort of laid my story out there. I think people respond to that," he said.

The record was produced by The Wooden Sky’s Gavin Gardiner. It also features appearances by Juno-nominated artists The Wooden Sky, Cuff The Duke and a song co-written by singer-songwriter Jeremy Fisher. 

Mattson told CBC Radio's Morning North what it means to be nominated for the Polaris:

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