Dreams Come True, Polartropica's debut album, creates a sonically tangible nexus into her ethereal fantasy dimension. The LA based, Taiwanese born pop star uses a unique combination of futuristic synths and classical string arrangements to generate her signature celestial sound. She remains true to her indie electropop roots, as seen in her 2016 EP Astrodreams.

The 10 track album explores the complexities between the reciprocal elements that make up Polartropica. It is an examination both fleeting, yet crucial. The album dials in on Polartropica's relationships, world news and her experiences as a queer Asian-American living in California.

Polartropica’s beliefs and values can seen through her actions and lifestyle. She embraces her LGBTQ identity and holds fundraisers for the LGBTQ community and the Los Angeles LGBTQ center. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Polartropica.

Where are you based?
A sparkly dessert dream cloud in Los Angeles, CA.

What inspired you to get into music?
I always loved theme songs I would hear for shows, movies and sporting events on television as a child. I especially loved The Nutcracker, Jurassic Park and The Olympics — and then when I discovered pop, jazz, and rock music later on, game over!

You use a unique combination of futuristic synths and classical string arrangements throughout your music. What inspires your sound? What goes through your mind before creating a song? Do you usually work with a beat before you create lyrics or vice versa?
Generally, my songs are more melody driven. I'll have a melody stuck in my head and then, after I map it out, I'll decide the lyrics based on what I'm feeling like when the melody was written. The beat and music usually come before the lyrics, but the drums always change along the way. My sound is inspired by the way I feel at the moment... For example, I was on a plane when working on the demo for Disco Daydream and for that chorus I wanted to capture the feeling of flying and floating.

In a quote you stated, “I wanted to create a healing, inspiring and empowering space with just the right amount of disco-party!" It seems this describes your music well. Why is this important to you?
Music has been such a soundtrack to my life, getting me through some of the happiest, most frustrating, saddest, and beautiful times — and, so, I am dedicated to creating art for others that have done so much for me. Also, just trying get a little more disco dance party and joy into the world. :)

Your debut album, Dreams Come True, touches upon a variety of different subject matter from world news to your own life experiences. Can you talk about some pivotal moments in your experience as a queer Asian-American living in California? How has this influenced your music?
Growing up in California, I feel like I was always surrounded by a community of folks like me. I definitely feel like growing up, I was always trying to assimilate to be more "white" and less "asian". Even when moving to LA playing for bands, instead of embracing the way I was different and unique, I tried to downplay it. I composed the score with our guitarist Alexander Noice, for a film called "Strawberries Will Save The World", directed by Yoko Okumura, that got selected for the Los Angeles American Pacific Film Festival — and that was truly a turning point for me in understanding the importance and beauty of heritage, and the importance of representation in media. Instead of the shame, I remember just being so proud of my Asian heritage, all of the incredible artists that defied the norms and discrimination of mainstream American Media, and for my ancestors and parents, for everything they went through coming to America. Another huge turning point was finding my queer artist community and coming out last year, onstage, on my birthday, during the Love Is Gay Fest at The Echo.

We really love the track "Solidarity". Can you talk about the message behind "Solidarity" and what it means to you?
The song is about the "me too" movement and how all of us are more powerful collectively when we support one another and fight together for a common goal.

We also really love your song and music video for Another Life. Can you tell us a little bit about this song and the video?
The song is about universal love, friendship, and karmic connections we have with one another. For the music video, we created a fantastical dream gay and fabulous version of Grease, complete with the car race.

You are heavily involved in your local LGBTQ community. Can you talk about your work with the Los Angeles LGBTQ center and other organizations you have done fundraisers for?
Yes! I love our community so much — the annual ‘Love Is Gay’ Festival in Los Angeles gives a portion of proceeds every year to the center, and when we went on the Love is Gay Tour last year with Lucy & La Mer and WASI, we partnered with a local LGBTQ org in every city to bring awareness to and raise funds for. Some other orgs we've done benefit shows with friends for include Queer Detainee Empowerment Project, ProjectQ, Youth Justice Coalition LA, Planned Parenthood, and No DAPL.

Your whole vibe is so positive and lovely. Can you rub off some of that on the world right now? How are you staying positive during shelter in place?
Yes! We released our newest album just for that reason, to send sonic sparkles to the whole world. I also have a rabbit named Ronnie that chews really loudly and is a source of peaceful entertainment for those on IG! I am baking pastries for friends and safely delivering them, or mailing them, with my new project Polarmidori, in collaboration with Yoko. :) We send our packages with calming teas and face masks for the full magical experience. I just try to focus on the things I can help with, because the news can be so overwhelming and anxiety inducing. My house constantly smells like brownies.

COVID is strongly affecting many people’s careers right now, especially artists. Have you been affected? How are you adjusting to being more focused on the digital world?
Our release show for the album had to be rescheduled and there are no more tours at least until next year, it seems — but, in the meantime, I have some film and a new album in the works that I'm focusing on now. We've done so many streams and just now I scheduled an online Zoom shoot for a pride month feature, so it's definitely been an interesting transition! Each stream keeps getting better and better, so I'm grateful for that as well as all of the incredible artists sharing their art right now - we all need it!

What is your motto in life?
Slow down and enjoy all of the beautiful moments.

To learn more about Polartropica please follow her via the below platforms:
IG: @polartropica
Twitter: @polartropica

Photography by Olivia Hemaratanatorn.

Welcome to Polartropica's Queer Celestial Dimension