The recently debuted new single by Welsh alt. rockers Polaris is a great song, it’s called ‘Young & Naive’ and really builds on the promise of last years debut EP ‘Pub. Club. Home. Alone’.
The track is riffy, melodic and powerful and the quality of the songwriting definitely belies the bands youth.
The band have had airplay on Radio 1 and Nation radio among others and shared stages with Attack! Attack!, Straight Lines, The Blitz Kids and Mallory Knox and are definitely ones to watch out for.
Polaris are Richard Protheroe – Vocals, Scott Bassett – Guitar/Backing Vocals, Callum James – Guitar, Andrew Hillier – Bass/Backing Vocals and Alex Price – Drums and we interviewed them recently.
Who are you and what do you do? We are Polaris and we are alt rock band based in Cardiff, full of band members from Swansea.
Where did the bands name come from? We all used to live together and kept writing ideas on our fridge until we found the right name.
How did you get started? The band has taken many forms since 2008 when some of the boys met at university. The name of that band was ‘Stereotypical Acid’, fortunately that didn’t stick.
What have you got going on at the moment? A string of shows lined up across South Wales over the next few months, with a new single ready to drop and some fresh new t shirts.
Favourite music and why? Our musical tastes cover pretty much every genre from Notorious B.I.G to Arch Enemy.
Favourite book and why? It’s impossible to pick one book between five people, Front magazine is always knocking around.
Favourite film and why? Drive. Have you seen it? If not, why? Do it.
Whats your best experience in the business so far? Playing at the Solus in Cardiff and sharing a stage with bands such as Attack! Attack!, Straight Lines and Mallory Knox. We also met Ian Watkins once, can we say that?
Why should Soundscape readers care? When you come to a Polaris show, when the gig is over the fun is just getting started. We put a lot of money and effort in to doing what we do, and every positive comment made or CD bought helps us and means a lot.
Tell our readers an interesting fact about the band? The bands very first gig was in a jazz club, it was strange.
What’s the best and worst things about touring? It burns a massive hole in your pocket, but the fun you have driving around the country with your mates is unbeatable.
Most embarrassing thing to happen to you while in the band? Playing one song and having to leave the stage as our singer couldn’t sing. That was pretty bad.
What’s your writing and recording process like? Our songs usually start with guitars and build from there, sometimes we have to draw the line between inspiration and ripping off our favorite bands…
We recorded our first EP with Todd Campbell from Straight Lines who did a fantastic job. Our new single has been recorded by Will Davies from Attack! Attack! and Curig Huws at StreetLevel studios. It sounds class.
What inspires you? Seeing local bands making a living through their music.
Best thing about coming from Wales? The music scene in Wales is thriving with so much talent everywhere you go.
Who are your role models or idols? Great Welsh bands such as Funeral For A Friend and the Stereophonics who create a consistently high level of music year after year.
What do you think is the hardest thing about the current business? While it’s great being surrounded by so many great bands, it’s hard to get noticed!
What are your future plans? For Zane Lowe to call us one of the ‘Hottest Bands'(New Zealand accent).
Favourite Batman actor? Christian Bale, as he hails from Wales and has the same surname as Gareth Bale, who is the only hope for Welsh football.
You can check out the lyric video for ‘Young & Naive’ below.
www.facebook.com/PolarisBandUk
