#polartropica

[unyielding-gelatin]

I went to a very queer show last night and they ended it with the Sailor Moon theme

[dontmeanmaybe]

sonoda, polartropica (they covered a couple britney spears songs and had dancers) and peach kelli pop (they were dressed as mario, luigi, princess and yoshi) performed at a spooky halloween birthday bash in koreatown last night!  

[davetada]

Ihui

Los Angeles, CA

[dontmeanmaybe]

yay for POLARTROPICA and Yoko Okumura's video for ‘olympia’ on the huffington post!!! i helped with the twinkly lights and did some photos as well...

WATCH: New video from whimsical space pop/bubble gum psych artist Polartropica

[slrmagazine]

Los Angeles-based dream rock artist Polartropica and Americana artist Gilbert Louie Ray release "Shiny Things". #polartropica #gilbertlouieray @Polartropica

Los Angeles-based dream rock artist Polartropica and Americana artist Gilbert Louie Ray release "Shiny Things"

[unyielding-gelatin]

[lunapaper]

Polartropica is ready to give ‘em hell.

Released during Lunar New Year, the LA-based singer’s latest video makes a powerful statement, especially with the rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community and the constant threat of violence against queer people and Black trans women.

‘We are fighting for our lives,’ she proclaims atop a rollercoaster of fierce pop punk riffs, assembling a colourful crew of queer superheroes, facing off against one another in an underground fight club to see who will get to battle the ‘unnamed, unimportant serial killer.’

While the video is not a solution to the very real and very complex problems queer and POC communities face, it does help give a voice to those who regularly do experience racism, sexism and queerphobia, as well as challenges what it means to be an ‘all-American hero.’

As Ihui Cherise Wu explains about ‘Give Them Hell (Serial Killer Slayer) (via NYLON):

‘The song is a reminder that it is not only OK to fight back, but essential to, whenever one is faced with a serial killer in real life. I wanted to also celebrate the women who lost their lives and empower their families instead of glorifying serial killers, which is what movies, media, and the mainstream keep wanting to do. It was inspired by Joie Ruth Armstrong, who was so incredibly fierce and fought back when faced with the Yosemite Killer, which led to his capture and prevented him from killing anyone else.

‘Many times, femmes, queers, and POC are taught to “go with the flow” and be polite, to not make waves to get by in the workplace or in public instead of speaking up or fighting back when it's sometimes necessary to maintain healthy boundaries, both in the physical world and in our professions. When it comes to our lives and safety, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement, AAPI hate crimes, and attacks on Black trans women, it's more important than ever to look out for one another and feel empowered in our bodies and minds! As a musician who would periodically take a yoga class, I never thought I would find so much joy and peace of mind while boxing. We're also so lucky in L.A. to have orgs like Trans Defense Fund, Reach LA, and Box For Change for holding free community self-defense classes.’

- Bianca B.

[lunapaper]

Dedicated to those needing a much-needed escape after a rough 2020, Polartropica reimagines The Everly Brothers’ ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’ as swooning shoegaze, retaining its sleepy wholesomeness while adding a dash of surf rock and a little space pop sparkle.

Proceeds from the cover’s Bandcamp and merch sales (with designs by Lauren YS @squid.licker) will go towards a queer BIPOC artist microgrants fund.

Ihui Cherise Wu explains why she chose to cover the track via press release:

‘When we are creating tracks, I’m always trying to paint a visual and feeling of the dream worlds in my head. This shoegaze rendition of the Everly Brother classic was my way of coping with my own anxiety, loneliness and missing my family during quarantine – even as an immigrant from Taiwan, this was one of my dad’s favourite songs – so my sister and I grew up listening to this because he would play it a lot, along with John Denver and The Carpenters.’

Polartropica’s debut album Dreams Come True is out now.

- Bianca B.