Institut Polaire

Infobox musical artist
Name = Institut Polaire


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Genre = Indie
Years_active = 2004 – present
Label = Love Is My Velocity
Popfrenzy
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.institutpolaire.com/ Official website]
Current_members = Ben Blakeney Elliott Brannen Catherine Colvin
Erik Hecht
David Thirkettle-Watts
Samantha Wass
Ash Blakeney
Rebecca May
Past_members = Ash Blakeney
Russell Loasby
Alex Arpino
Monique Archer
Chris Havercroft

Institut Polaire are an indie band originating from Perth, Western Australia.

History

Institut Polaire formed as a three piece in 2004 by an American ex-pat (Erik Hecht), an English born scientist (David Thirkettle-Watts) and a country boy moved to the big city (Ash Blakeney; who left the band in 2005, handing over his role to cousin Ben). Institut Polaire has grown from three piece roots into a full-blown collective who currently number between seven and nine members toting everything from vintage Wurlitzer pianos to violins, banjos, trumpets, MacBooks and glockenspiels.

In recent times the collective have shared the stage with acclaimed artists and bands including Camera Obscura, The Clientele, Architecture in Helsinki, Jens Lekman, Lou Barlow, Gerling, New Buffalo, Starky, The Panics and The Lucksmiths.

Institut Polaire's debut 7" single "City Walls and Empires" (released through Love Is My Velocity Records) recently won them the Western Australian Music Industry's 'Song of the Year' Award for 2006 [ [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1772124.htm Triple J Music News - (October 25, 2006)] ] and has since received national airplay.

"It was a fantastic confidence boost," Hecht said about the band's win in X-Press Magazine, "To see how much things have evolved in the band dynamic, instrumentation and songwriting since recording the debut single is exciting. I think most of us would agree that we are far more proud of the music we’ve been writing since. And I really suspect we may take some people by surprise with the records we put out this year." [ [http://www.xpressmag.com.au/archives/2007/01/institut_polair.php Bob Gordon - Xpress Magazine (January 18, 2007)] ]

In 2007 Institut Polaire performed at the Perth leg of the Big Day Out having won Triple J's Unearthed competition for Western Australia [ [http://www.triplejunearthed.com/competitions/default.aspx?TripleJCompetitionId=42&showarchive=true Triple J Unearthed Competition Winners - Triple J (December 24, 2006)] ] . They also performed with Bob Evans and Bobby Blackbird & The Bluejays at the WAMi-styled Triple J Live at the Wireless gig at the Rosemount Hotel.

The band were nominated for 'Best Indie Pop Act', at the 2007 WAMi Awards and also undertook their first national tour supporting Camera Obscura.

In February 2007 Institut Polaire announced that they have been signed as the first Australian artist on Popfrenzy Records [ [http://www.popfrenzy.com.au/popfrenzyrecords.html Popfrenzy Records] ] .

"I think the main goal for 2007 is to continue to evolve and make some great records,” [ [http://www.xpressmag.com.au/archives/2007/01/institut_polair.php Bob Gordon - Xpress Magazine (January 18, 2007)] ]

Their first release was an EP called "The Fauna And The Flora" which was released on October 1, 2007 [ [http://www.popfrenzy.com.au/popfrenzyrecords.html Popfrenzy Records] ] . The EP was Drum Media and Rave Magazine's 'single of the week' and Wireless Bollinger's 'EP of the week'. Insitut Polaire have also been named as one of Triple J's Next Crop featured artists for Aus Music Month (November 2007) and have been nominated as for a 2007 J Award (Unearthed new artist category). The EP also debuted at #19 on the AIR (Association of Independent Record Labels) singles chart [ [http://www.australianmusicoffice.com/Charts/59/ AIR Charts - October 9, 2007] ] . "City Walls and Empires" entered the Australian Top 40 Countdown chart at #40 in May, 2008. [ [http://www.take40.com/action/countdownhome Take 40 Coutndown] ]

The band have also relocated to Melbourne for the foreseeable future and will undertake a national tour with Sydney's Cuthbert & The Night Walkers (presented by Triple J's 'Home and Hosed') in May 2008 before commencing recording of their debut LP which is due out in 2008.

Band members

*Ben Blakeney - guitar, vocals
*Elliott Brannen - trumpet, keys, vocals
*Catherine Colvin - violin, vocals
*Erik Hecht - vocals, guitar, banjo, keys
*David Thirkettle-Watts - bass
*Samantha Wass - acoustic guitar, vocals, keys, piano accordion
*Ash Blakeney - drums, percussion
*Rebecca May - keys

Discography

City Walls and Empires

"City Walls and Empires" is a split 7" single (w/ The Bank Holidays) released by Love Is My Velocity Records in May 2006.
# "City Walls and Empires" (Institut Polaire)
# "Bird" (The Bank Holidays)

The Fauna and the Flora

"The Fauna & The Flora" is the debut EP released by Popfrenzy Records on October 2, 2007
# "Kentucky Society Drought"
# "The Fauna and the Flora Are Too Closely Allied"
# "East, West & I"
# "Lullaby For A Warmonger"
# "City Walls & Empires (bonus track)"

Reviews

* [http://www.wirelessbollinger.com/content/view/829/84/ Wireless Bollinger (October 29, 2007)]
* [http://www.messandnoise.com/releases/5788 Mess & Noise Matt Gillies]

Awards and nominations

Awards

*2006 WAM Song of the Year ("City Walls and Empires")
*2006 WAM Song of the Year 'Pop' Category ("City Walls and Empires")
*2008 WAMI Award ("Best Indie Pop Act")

Nominations

*2007 Triple J - J Award (Unearthed category)
*2007 WAMi Award nomination - 'Best Indie Pop Act'
*2008 WAMi Award nomination - 'Most Popular EP/Single'
*2008 WAMi Award nomination - 'Most Popular Music Video'
*2008 WAMi Award nomination - 'Best Indie Pop Act'
*2008 WAMi Award nomination - 'Best Drummer'

References

External links

* [http://www.institutpolaire.com/ Institut Polaire Official Site]
*myspace|institutpolaire|Institut Polaire