Polarcare

Amidst the crowd at a local, underground Toronto hardcore show, we lugged our gear through an energetic, sweaty crowd. Following a set by a Converge-esque band, our anxious pre-show sentiment was intensified by a strong sense of displacement and perplexity as to our placement on such a distinct bill. Having mounted the stage, the audience eagerly anticipated the arrival of more screams, squeals and songs at 220 bpm. Instead, they got us.

As we strummed our first chords, a look of sheer confusion was found on every puzzled face in the crowd. No motion ensued as we layered each eardrum in thick harmonized riffs, high vocals and major chords. We felt as though we had just committed a heinous act upon that stage and that their stationary state was in preparation for our punishment. Pressing on, we flew right into the next song, worried that breaks between would allow us to hear jeers and death threats. But roughly a minute and a half into our next number, a trio of shirtless males front row began to sway. By this time, any form of movement was a good sign, and luckily for us their ‘dancing’ was the beginning of a ripple effect.

By the end of our set, the initial confusion the audience was experiencing had seemed to dissolve: they moved, yelled and occasionally thrashed to our ‘heavier’ parts, cheering at the end of each song. Sure we had to beef up our yells and rearrange our set list a bit, but you know what? We did what we always do- give ‘er and hope the response is a positive one.

That was one year ago, and we're still pressing on, playing shows frequently across Ontario, opening for well-known Canadian indie bands to siblings of the Backstreet Boys, expanding our fan base and writing material for our first full-length album to be released in Fall 2010.

Sometimes it may be helpful to look at Polarcare like the process of brain-freeze: the throbbing confusion may be at first difficult to understand, but when that warm soothing feeling sets in, you know it’s all you’ll ever want.