Ghostkeeper Call Polaris Prize 'Only Legit Music Award in Canada'

Ghostkeeper had plenty of reason to be excited on Thursday night, as they played a NXNE set at Toronto's Dakota Tavern mere hours after being named to the long list for the Polaris Music Prize. But as pumped as they were, the crowd that packed the intimate basement venue matched their enthusiasm at every turn.

"It's been a long time coming," frontman Shane Ghostkeeper told Spinner after their set. "I'm glad we're getting props for artistic merit... we're not selling a lot of albums, so it's good to see people are paying attention."

A folk band with a taste for hard rock, Ghostkeeper were nominated for their self-titled sophomore record, putting them among the esteemed ranks of Blue Rodeo, Tegan and Sara, Shad, Broken Social Scene and the New Pornographers.

During their set at the Dakota, the band kept mostly to songs from that release, such as 'By Morning' and 'Like Moose Do,' but did treat their fans to a new number, 'Turn up the Heat.' The short set didn't leave much room for stage banter or talk of the nomination, pushing the band to blow through their songs as fans nodded along. But their excitement at being placed alongside Canada's musical elite was palpable.

"It's f---ing sweet," said bassist Scott Munro after the set. "It's so good to make the long list. It's good to be back -- I played last year in [previous nominee] Chad VanGaalen's band. [The Polaris Prize] is the only legit music award in Canada."