Polyvinyl

From their inception, Polyvinyl rapidly carved a niche with their immersive indie-art-rock. Their sound meticulously fuses 80s new-wave, synth-pop, and art-rock ideals with 2000s popular music craftsmanship, defying easy categorisation, and captivating their expanding fanbase.

The inherent challenges of independent music (self-funding every aspect of their craft and working to define their evolving sound) only strengthened the outfit, shaping an ethos of self-sufficiency and creative control. Their collaborative songwriting process ensures a cohesive yet remarkably diverse output that is both signature and authentically Polyvinyl.

Their earliest releases prove the fruitfulness of their sonically diverse method. Debut “It’s Raining Somewhere Else” showcases their pop-centric melodicism and narrative depth, while follow-up“Modern Art People”, a track injected with punk and doo-wop, criticises the modern view of throwaway art. This unique strategy proved successful earning them 2022 North East Track of the Year, and cementing their reputation for bold stylistic shifts.

Third single “Nirvana Now” marked a profound artistic turning point for Polyvinyl, courageously integrating strings and saxophone into their arrangements, a testament to their self-directed ambition. This expansion garnered critical acclaim and directly led to their first sold-out headline show, fueling their ambition once more. The result was a live experience aiming to captivate audiences with innovative stagecraft, a caricatural TV-Gameshow-esque host, and a grand finale. The success of “Nirvana Now” permanently transformed their future live performances into truly immersive and deeply conceptual experiences.

This rapidly building momentum culminated in their 2023 debut concept EP, ‘“Closure”’. This ambitious project crafted a cohesive narrative, with each track representing one of the five stages of grief; a blend of sound and storytelling that resonated deeply with audiences, propelling Polyvinyl to a series of sold-out headline shows. The EP solidified their reputation for intricate concept work and profound narrative building within their music, live shows, and supplementary content.

Beyond their studio recordings, Polyvinyl’s commitment to "music as an experience" extends through striking visual identity and meticulously produced live shows. Known for their vision-aligned aesthetic, their stage presence complements their high-impact performances, equalling the visual flair of their self-produced music videos which delve deeper into the tracks’ themes, enhancing the emotional landscape through compelling storytelling, such as for 2024’s Halloween standalone, “Such a Quiet Man”, building on the song's unsettling atmosphere.

Polyvinyl live shows are a cornerstone of their appeal, transcending traditional concerts to become elaborate, immersive events. They actively craft theatrical experiences complete with distinct set dressing, overarching storylines, and engaging characters. This level of innovative stagecraft ensures attendees don't just hear music; they become part of a show they won't forget. This philosophy – that a live performance should be an unforgettable, multi-sensory experience – is central to Polyvinyl’s identity. They’ve consistently headlined iconic North East venues and have made notable appearances at regional festivals, proving their capacity to captivate and entertain on every stage. Polyvinyl stand out for their dedication to doing things differently, weaving compelling narratives, and delivering exceptional music and performance.