Pollyn: Going It Alone

You may be familiar with the work of Pollyn’s Adam Jay Weissman. He co-wrote When Things Explode on Unkle’s War Stories and has produced for Grammy nominated hip-hop artist Mystic and indie rap icon Sole. Pollyn, as a collective, have been commissioned to remix several influential artists, including electronic heavyweights Gorillaz and post punk legends Liquid Liquid. Now they want their time to shine.

After the critical acclaim of EP Song for Sale, Pollyn decided to self-release their debut album, This Little Night, despite various offers from record companies. According to Weissman, the politics just became more hassle than it was worth: “In the beginning we had managers, worked with big producers, met with labels and played the game. Eventually all the talk got tired and we just went off on our own to make the album.”

Even the video for current single Still Love was co-directed by Weissman. This is clearly a band determined to take hold of its own destiny. Despite the fact that the band’s self sufficiency has so far paid off, they are not completely opposed to a record deal but it must be on their terms. “We've had little offers here and there,” says the multi-instrumentalist. “But nothing worth pursuing. We're open to a label deal – when it makes sense.”

Pollyn operate under a less-is-more strategy that has given their music a beautifully sparse, nocturnal feeling. Anthony Cava’s elegiac string arrangements and Weissman’s moody electronic flourishes provide the perfect backdrop for Genevieve Artradi’s seductive and sometimes haunting vocals.

According to Weissman, the artistic direction was never a conscious decision. “We use a lot of minor chords,” says the former film student. “Even when the song is fast it still has a melancholy vibe. We're not particularly dark, brooding people but it seems to come out in our music.”

This Little Night has gained positive comparisons with Morcheeba and Everything But the Girl and Weissman is happy to discuss his band’s musical origins: “On this record I hear bits of Fela Kuti, Talking Heads, Hot Chip, Electrelane, Massive Attack and Everything But the Girl.” It is always refreshing when a musician doesn’t try to evade citing his influences.

Even though the Pollyn have barely toured their debut album, they have already commenced work on a follow-up release. “We're going to continue recording songs for the next album,” says Weissman. “We're putting out Can't Get Into It as a single with remixes and a music video. We are going to do a residency in LA in Feb and maybe a tour. There are a few things in the works that I don’t want to jinx.” Looks like Pollyn are a band showing no sign of slowing down any time soon. This is fierce independence at its finest.