Why Godspeed You! Black Emperor Turned on the Polaris Prize

In 2013, Godspeed You! Black Emperor won Canada's Polaris Music Prize, then made headlines for everything but the music. Few bands have built their reputation on saying no quite like this Montreal collective. This episode looks at the band, the backlash, and the uncomfortable question at the centre of it all: how far can a band's principles really go once they're part of the music business? Principled stand, or wanting it both ways? Let me know in the comments. 00:00 The Band That Refused Fame 01:14 Efrim’s Rough Beginnings 02:56 The Mythic First Cassette 05:01 First Shows and Early Collective 07:14 Hotel2Tango and Constellation 08:30 F# A# Infinity Breakthrough 09:40 What GY!BE Sounds Like 12:14 Politics and Anti-Press Rules 15:46 Global Rise and Skinny Fists 17:13 28 Days Later and Yankee UXO 18:59 FBI Stop, Hiatus, and Return 22:28 Polaris Controversy to Spotify Exit Watch the episode on Queen Street West - where punks and country met back in the 80s and 90s -    • How Toronto's Punks Went Country on Queen ...