By: Karen Steinberg
Q) Please tell us about the idea behind your new single “Shiny Things.”
A) “Shiny Things” are not as they seem was the theme behind the song that came from personal relationship experiences. It goes through the whole cycle of starting at the enamored phase to when the more hidden parts of us start to bubble to the surface and then the break-up and the eventual reflection and acceptance part.
Q) You work with Gilbert Louie Ray on the song. How did the two of you come together for this? In ways did each of you contribute to crafting this track?
A) We came together originally to sing a cover of David Bowie’s “Soul Love” and ended up writing “Shiny Things” on our second music rehearsal. I started the song while Gil was running late to the session and drafted it out in about ten minutes. And then when he came, we finished the rest of the song and the rest is history! I had the main melodies and concept for the song and chorus, and Gil brought it together with the bridge and his guitar and banjo and we finalized the lyrics together.
Q) What kind of fan response have you been receiving to the single?
A) We’ve had some fans tell us this is their favorite song that we’ve ever made, which is lovely to hear for something we wrote from the heart! I think the stripped down quality also lets the lyrics and melody really shine through.
Q) I love the video for “Shiny Things.” What made this pirate theme the perfect visual to go alongside of it?
A) Thank you! I’m so happy you love it. We wanted to incorporate little bits and pieces from both of our lives. For me, it was the parking ticket because I have gotten so many and they are my arch nemesis at this point. Gil’s favorite time of day is milk and cookies time! The director and I share a love for Pirates of the Caribbean and old adventure movies like Mask of Zorro. I knew there were some shipwrecks out in the Salton Sea area, but we were so lucky to come upon this beautiful art installation pirate ship when we drove out to film the opening scenes! Pirates are known for chasing shiny things, so that was sort of perfect already. We also wanted to tell the story of a fictional relationship between a wanted bandit and a pirate who reunite because of unfortunate circumstances. This was truly such a fun music video to make with director Tristan Pelletier – with additional inspiration from Studio Ghibli film Porco Rosso.
Q) “Shiny Things” is out now. Is this a prelude to a full album or EP?
A) Yes, there is an album in the works, we’ll be announcing more about that soon!
Q) We love a Polartropica live performance. Will you and Gilbert Louie Ray be uniting for some shows?
A) We have quite different styles of our live performances, but I hope we do come together to perform soon!! We have some themed interactive shows at independent venues and businesses coming up that we are so excited about, [smiles] including local Vietnamese Sandwich Bakery and Coffee Shop KG Bakery in Echo Park for our Tokyo Drift themed rock show coming up in November! There is also a winter ball in the works for our last live local show in December at another local business in our community.
Q) Your music has been featured in the podcast “Can’t Hold Us Back,” in the movie UNSEEN and the film How to Blow Up a Pipeline. What series would you love to see your music a part of in the future?
A) It would be an absolute dream to have our music in “Arcane: League of Legends” series, “Euphoria” or have “Ride or Die” be the theme song for a travel show or an adventure show or a show following people living every day to get closer to their dreams or living their dream life! It would be fun to have “Shiny Things” on a baking show or sweet movie!
Q) The last time we chatted back in 2022 you were hoping to collaborate with Kat Cunning, Stephanie Yanez or LEADR with TXVX. What artists these days would you love to team up with for a duet/feature?
A) I would love to team up to do a duet/feature with Rosalia, Lisa and Rose from Blackpink, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Beabadoobee and Chappell Roan!
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and your music?
A) Don’t give up on your dreams and remember that you are so special and full of magic. I hope the music brings love and hope to their hearts and inspires my sweet fans to make beautiful memories with their friends and loved ones!
Watch The Video For “Shiny Things”