Patrick Watson Scoops Up the Polaris Music Prize

It took a room of 11 judges to decide between the stiff competition, but in the end Patrick Watson was awarded the second annual Polaris Music Prize for his 2006 breakthrough, Close to Paradise. In a gala ceremony held at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, the Montreal-based singer-songwriter was awarded the $20,000 over-sized cheque and bragging rights over the likes of artists like Arcade Fire, Chad VanGaalen and the Dears. Watson joked about how the money would come in handy after the band crashed their Budget rental van, but also added: "Music's not a competition so this is a bit strange, but it's such an honour. I'm very happy to accept this, very happy."

The 2007 Polaris Music Prize nominees:

Arcade Fire Neon Bible
The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse
The Dears Gang of Losers
Julie Doiron Woke Myself Up
Feist The Reminder
Junior Boys So This Is Goodbye
Miracle Fortress Five Roses
Joel Plaskett Emergency Ashtray Rock
Chad VanGaalen Skelliconnection
Patrick Watson Close To Paradise