Countdown to Polaris – Lisa LeBlanc

Photo Credit: Orest Dorosh

The 2017 Polaris Music Prize shortlist has been announced. To celebrate, let’s here’s a weekly look back at the nominees.

Week Eight: Lisa LeBlanc – Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen?

It’s one thing for artists, particularly those who identify their music as folk, to present songs of heartbreak and emotional confusion in ways that soothe and makes leaves the soul feeling completely understood; but Lisa LeBlanc’s Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen? is as brutally honest as only your best friend is allowed to be.

With melodies that are borderline spoken word and conversational, LeBlanc discusses with her listeners the issues surrounding your bad relationship (“Dump the Guy ASAP”), life’s little compounding annoyances (“Could You Wait ‘Til I’ve Had My Coffee?”), and the frustrations she’s experiencing regarding a relationship that just won’t make for the door.  There’s even a particularly lovely ode to long distance relationships only people living in this country could ever experience with the sleepy roadtrip anthem “5778 km.”  In addition to her beautiful honest songwriting, LeBlanc dips into her Acadian roots and master banjo skills, and gives a listener a true treat with a Cajun-infused cover of the Motörhead classic, “Ace of Spades”

Definitely, a good friend when you need it, Lisa LeBlanc delivers something personal and deeply honest when you particularly need it.  Will her unique songwriting style lead her to Polaris glory? Find out on September 18, when she is scheduled to perform at the event at the Carlu in Toronto alongside fellow nominees Lido Pimienta, Tanya Tagaq, Leif Vollebekk, and Weaves.