Musicians Know You Don't Care About Canada's Elections So Go Out and Vote

Anyone’s who’s been paying attention to the 42nd Canadian election probably notices that a couple of homegrown musicians have been eager to show their support for getting Stephen Harper, the current Canadian leader with the Lego-man hair, out of Parliament Hill. If not that, they’re attempting to mobilize their 18-30 demographic to hit the ballot boxes today to make sure they’re represented in this democracy. But since everyone assumes that millennials aren’t easily motivated (well, almost everyone), the tactics for generating serious political discussion have to cut through the noise somehow. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the Canadian musicians who are engaging voters in unique, resonant, or just plain cool ways. Get convinced by these guys and then go vote.

Members of the OVO camp rarely post on their socials, so when they do it’s assumed that it’s for something momentous. 40, the man behind The Boy, took to his [Instagram](https://instagram.com/p/9BYWk3O3un/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/OVO40/status/656066583580774400) to spur #AubreyHive into action to prevent another Harper government from taking form.

Claire Boucher has probably been the most vocal musician about the election, whether it’s urging kids to vote strategically on her Tumblr or talking about the environmental damage that the Harper decade has created. Her commitment to being a spokesperson to and for an influential voting constituent—as an expat in America—is what makes Grimes a valuable voice in this time.

Like Grimes, Peaches hasn’t lived in Canada for a bit, but still cares about how messed up she feels the country has become. She’s spoken about the lack of attention by all parties toward the Syrian refugee crisis.

Toronto’s favourite raunchy rockers have experience signal-boosting and managing dissenting opinions so it was only a matter of time before they’d dabble in some politics. They’ve set up their #julytalkvotes initiative aimed at spurring voters under 25 to make a decision. Promising personal phone calls and other goodies, July Talk are making a huge case for youth voters.

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About half of the people in this country have tried weed in their lives, plus you know that the medicinal marijuana debate has been a topic of particular focus for us. Thus, we have Yung Liberalz, one of the few artists on this list throwing their support behind one particular candidate on their single “Stoners for Justin”. Over a simple boom-bap beat, these politically motivated kids spit slogans and place the Trudeaus among American dynasties like the Kennedys and the Clintons. They just want the green, dude.

It makes sense that this Winnipeg band, with their overflowing arrangements and genre-bending songs, would be left-leaning, but they acknowledge their Prairie roots enough to realize a good portion of their fanbase would be voting Conservative. To that end, the band has invited Harper supporters to email them and have a civilized discussion about why they’re making the decision they are, citing a need to see some “common ground.” It’s a noble, if quintessentially Canadian idea in an election that’s often drawn partisan battle lines.

#doimatternow ? pic.twitter.com/23SywE0P72

— tanya tagaq (@tagaq) October 10, 2015

The Inuit throat-singer takes to social media every so often to call out bullshit, but she’s been understandably active about the MMIW issue that’s been prevalent on the campaign trail. She recently supported #doimatternow https://www.facebook.com/alethea.arnaquqbaril/posts/10156126943775564, a grassroots social media movement started by Nunavut filmmaker Alethea Arnaquq-Baril that calls into question the repeated attacks on women of marginalized groups.

Just cast my special ballot for voting abroad ! #5MMV pic.twitter.com/fxXOU86nRA

— Braids (@braidsmusic) October 2, 2015

Braids are a critically beloved, experimental-minded band, but you wouldn’t guess it from their consistently peppy and light-hearted Twitter feed. They’ve taken advantage of their accessibility by documenting whenever members vote and showing love for Apathy Is Boring http://www.apathyisboring.com/5mmv/. The organization attempts to engage the millennial demographic with nearly every social media platform, including Drake mixtape cover parodies because that’s the best way to communicate ideas to Canadians in 2015.

who wants Harper out? FIRST NATIONS / FEMINISTS / VETERANS / STUDENTS / ARTISTS / YOUTH / CHILD CARE PROS • over 70% of us. VOTE!! #elxn42

— Raffi Cavoukian (@Raffi_RC) October 15, 2015

You sung along to every single one of this guy’s tunes when you were in kindergarten, but Raffi’s CV is deep. He’s made as big a name for himself as an activist of noteworthy causes as he has for singing songs about whales. Raffi’s of the “anyone but Harper” camp but makes sure to discuss and critique the platforms of all the candidates. He’s constantly engaging with his generation of #belugagrads on Twitter and might be one of the louder Canadian voices on social media right now. Seriously.

Watch our live coverage tonight on Vice, and don't forget to vote!