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Poliça: “I’m scared, to be honest”
Channy Leaneagh looks ahead to Glastonbury and a special DIY Presents Poliça show.
It’s eight months since Poliça returned with their bold, striking second record ‘Shulamith’. Already attention’s turning to a quick follow-up. They’re about to release a new 10” EP entitled ‘Raw Edit’, with the Minneapolis five-piece also due a return to our shores this week for a handful of performances, including an appearance at Glastonbury and a special DIY Presents gig.
Originally offcuts from the band’s ‘Shulamith’ sessions, the four recordings weren’t initially destined to see the light of day. It was when the group decided to throw in a Lesley Gore cover - which doubles as a live favourite for fas - that ‘Raw Exit’ eventually came together.
And even with ‘Raw Exit’ being seen as a no-time-wasted return, Poliça are already wandering off into the next adventure. They’re currently writing towards a new LP, with a big set at Glastonbury (the band’s first) top of the agenda. We spoke to Channy Leaneagh ahead of a huge week for the band.
You’ve been taking ‘Shulamith’ on the road since late 2013 - what’s been your highlight of the tour so far?
My favourite memories of touring ‘Shulamith’ have been playing places like Detroit, Darby, Ireland and New Orleans. I’ll never forget our time there and the people we met. I dream about going back to those places.
Is the aim still to get some downtime in the second half of 2014? How much are you thinking about new material?
We are writing now and throughout the tours. Downtime doesn’t mean we stop writing, it’s all about being home, relaxed and with room in our brains to play with music making.
Why did you end up covering Lesley Gore’s ‘You Don’t Own Me’ - how far back does the love of that song run within the band?
Ryan played me that song after I returned from April 2013 tour and had just finished a long over due break up of the worst of my relationships. That was exactly what I needed to hear and singing that song every night was the best post break up drug. Every time I sing that song I feel stronger than before I sang it-those are the kind of song I want to try to make.
What led you to putting out ‘Raw Exit’, and how hard was it to initially say no to putting those tracks on the album?
I didn’t like them at the time ‘Shulamith’ was being released, to be honest. It wasn’t there time yet. Once we decided we wanted to release our version of “you don’t own me” the other three found a place that made sense.
What does playing Glastonbury mean to you - this is your first time, right?
I’m scared, to be honest; not for the show but just being around that many people. But also I feel very exited and honored to be there and can’t wait to see it.
Hypothetically, who else on the Glasto line-up would you hope to spot in the crowd while you’re playing?
My daughter and friends from home, I’m lonesome for them.
Poliça headline Brighton’s Old Market on 28th June. It’s a 14+ show. Tickets are on sale now in person at Brighton’s Resident Music or online through seetickets.com.
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