News February 8, 2016

Sydney metalcore band Polaris hit ARIA Top 40

Former Editor

Without a record label behind them, and without any physical sales registered by ARIA, Sydney’s Polaris have had their EP The Guilt and the Grief debut at #34 on the ARIA chart.

The sophomore EP also came in at #11 on the Australian ARIA chart on Saturday as the only debut release, excluding Sia’s ARIA #1 This Is Acting, in the Top 20.

Interestingly, all 250+ physical sales of the EP were sold through e-commerce website Big Cartel but were not counted in the ARIA-registered sales. Instead, all sales propelling the EP came from iTunes and digital stores, all distributed by independent digital distributor Ditto Music.

Speaking to TMN, drummer Daniel Furnari said the band wrote personalised thank-you notes to send to fans with each physical sale purchase.

“We spent an entire weekend huddled around packing parcels and writing thank-you notes. It was exhausting honestly but it really does make you stop and appreciate the people that care about your music.”

Furnari told TMN the band hadn’t even entertained the idea of having their EP chart at all. “Releasing a record out of your bedroom, you don’t really consider the idea of it charting at all – you just hope people will listen to it,” he said. “When it became apparent that something like this was a possibility, it was a pretty surreal moment for all of us. It’s so incredible to see that enough people care to spend money on music and support a young band.”

The EP was already receiving impressive traction in the lead-up to Saturday’s ARIA chart reveal; last week The Guilt and the Grief debuted at #1 in Rock and Metal on iTunes, as well as overall at #6, finishing at #11 overall.

The six-track EP was produced by Sonny Truelove (Amity Affliction, Caulfield, Young Lions) at his studio on the Central Coast, and mixed and mastered by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland (August Burns Red, I The Breather, Texas In July) The EP features Marcus Bridge of UNFD signing Northlane, on closing track Hold You Under. The audio stream on YouTube has clocked up almost 26,000 views since it was posted in early January.

TMN understands Polaris have been approached by five labels looking to sign the band. Their booking deal with Chase Music Group landed them a spot on next year’s Legion Festival alongside Devildriver, Devil You Know and Lordi. Polaris are also set to embark on a national tour this Thursday, supporting UNFD-signed act Stories.

Tour Dates:

Thursday 11 February – BRISBANE

Crowbar 18+

with Vitals

Friday 12 February – SYDNEY

Red Rattler 18+

with Grizzly Adams

Sunday 28 February – WOLLONGONG

Rad Bar AA

with Dear Seattle

Friday 4 March – ADELAIDE

Enigma Mar 18+