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Polar Bear Club have been on the grind since forming in 2005. They released their fourth full-length album Death Chorus earlier this year. GroundSounds caught up with Jimmy Stadt to discuss the new album and what the future holds for PBC.
GS: Death Chorus is out now and it’s a terrific album. One of the highlights is the closer “Upstate Mosquito.” What inspired this song? When did you decide you wanted to close the album with it?
JS: I had these chords and this melody that turned into the intro to the song. I liked it a lot but didn’t want it to be a sleeper song so we sort of took it into a more upbeat direction out of that slower intro. We decided to close with it in the studio. We we’re working on it and sort of stacking it up against the other songs because it was kind of different. Will the producer said it should be the album closer and we we’re like duh.
Sometimes Things Just Disappear was released just over 5 years ago. What is the biggest way that you’ve grown/evolved as musicians and songwriters in that span?
I think we’re interested in connecting with people more so now than we are with impressing them. I guess just writing a good “song” as opposed to a good “riff”. We still really appreciate a riff but we focus more on the song as a whole now.
Who designed the artwork for the album and where did the vision for it come from?
Richard Minino designed it. He has done most of our album covers. The idea to design it after a tarot card came from our manager. He heard the title we had chosen and sent us over some samples of cool, old tarot cards. We sent those to Richard and he came back with the album cover. He nailed it.
Do you have a song in particular from the album that stands out as a favorite?
Not really. I guess “Chicago Spring” is up there for me as is “So I Buy.” It’s hard to pick a favorite though.
One of my favorite aspects of Death Chorus is the lyricism. I really appreciate the lines “Romanticize the past while the future is in full collapse” and “False hope is true heaven.” Can you tell us what inspired these lines?
I never really like talking about the lyrics. I feel weird dissecting and analyzing myself. The ideas behind the lyrics aren’t really supposed to boiled down to one thing or one inspiration.
What is the most memorable show you’ve ever played?
There have been so many! First time we played Gainesville fest was insane. I’ll never forget that.
How has your experience with Rise Records been? What advice would you give to young bands searching for the right label?
Our experience has been great. They have a good head on their shoulders over there. Labels are hard. It’s hard to know what the right fit is. Honestly everyone ends up feeling a certain strain in relationship with their label at some point. Just make sure that there is someone there who legitimately loves and believes in your band and that that person isn’t going to leave the label anytime soon.
What music are you guys into right now?
Lots. Haim, the new Queens of the Stone Age, we were listening to Sebadoh the other day, Fugazi before that. Lots of stuff all across the board.
What does 2014 hold for you?
More touring off of Death Chorus. Hopefully going to some new places we haven’t been before.
My final question is similar to a question you’d be asked in high school, so I’m going to add a second part to make it even more “high-school-y”:
1. Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
Hmmmmm next. Too hard.
2. If Polar Bear Club had a yearbook picture with a quote underneath, what would your quote be?
“Did anyone order a LoveBurger…well done.”
For all things PBC, check out their Facebook page. Watch their music video for “WLWYCD” below!
