Polydream
Encyclopedia
Polydream is an alternative rock
band hailing from Madison, Wisconsin
. Formed in 2003, the band has released an EP, titled A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
, and released its first full-length album, titled Send Me to the Sun
, on December 15, 2007. Polydream gained much of its fame in being named "New Artist of the Year" at the Madison Area Music Awards in 2007.
in 1998. After a local youth center performance as sophomores in high school, Luke and Jon spoke with drummer Zack Austin and Jason Bloyer about forming a rock group.
The four joined Bloyer’s brother Josh, who played bass, and performed until 2000. After Jason left the group, Knudson became the lead vocalist (he had already been playing guitar). The four-piece stopped playing later that year. After Knudson and Etten graduated from high school, Knudson moved to Glacier National Park in Montana
, while Etten and Austin kept in touch with Knudson throughout the summer.
Then, in September 2002, Etten and Austin drove to Montana and helped him move back to Madison, Wisconsin. Etten gave up the guitar so the band could have a bass player. In March 2003, the three decided on the name Polydream and began performing within a month. In December of that year, during a short hiatus, Knudson met guitarist Eric LeMieux. Knudson introduced LeMieux to the band and the four began performing in the summer of 2004.
At a December performance that year, the four got to know drummer/producer Britton Rice
. Rice, formerly of Lex Rex, agreed to produce a couple of songs for the band. Rice spent most of 2005 working with the band on their debut EP, A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
. As the music became more piano based, Austin moved to piano and guitar and Britton filled in on drums to move the writing along. Rice, later agreed to join Polydream as a full-time member.
Polydream released A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
on July 14, 2006. The band went on to tour for the remainder of 2006. In late 2006 & early 2007 the band went back to the recording studio to lay down tracks for new material. They were named Best New Artist at the Madison Area Music Awards in 2007. In the summer, Polydream performed at Summerfest
on the last day of the festival. Polydream released their debut album, titled Send Me to the Sun
, which is a full-length follow-up to the previous EP. The record was released digitally on December 15, 2007 and has since been released on compact disc.
Former
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band hailing from Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Formed in 2003, the band has released an EP, titled A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1 is an EP by the American alternative rock band Polydream, released on July 14, 2006. It is a prelude to the band's debut full-length album, titled Send Me to the Sun.-Track listing:#"Catch Me If You Can"#"Juner"...
, and released its first full-length album, titled Send Me to the Sun
Send Me to the Sun
Send Me to the Sun is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Polydream, released on December 15, 2007.-Track listing:#"Catch Me If You Can" - 4:59#"Dreaming Of" - 5:11#"In the Daylight" - 3:13#"Juner" - 4:47...
, on December 15, 2007. Polydream gained much of its fame in being named "New Artist of the Year" at the Madison Area Music Awards in 2007.
History
Lucas Etten and Jonathan Knudson formed a cover band called The Cadavers in Medford, WisconsinMedford, Wisconsin
Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,326 at the 2010 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford.- Geography :Medford is located at Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin,...
in 1998. After a local youth center performance as sophomores in high school, Luke and Jon spoke with drummer Zack Austin and Jason Bloyer about forming a rock group.
The four joined Bloyer’s brother Josh, who played bass, and performed until 2000. After Jason left the group, Knudson became the lead vocalist (he had already been playing guitar). The four-piece stopped playing later that year. After Knudson and Etten graduated from high school, Knudson moved to Glacier National Park in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, while Etten and Austin kept in touch with Knudson throughout the summer.
Then, in September 2002, Etten and Austin drove to Montana and helped him move back to Madison, Wisconsin. Etten gave up the guitar so the band could have a bass player. In March 2003, the three decided on the name Polydream and began performing within a month. In December of that year, during a short hiatus, Knudson met guitarist Eric LeMieux. Knudson introduced LeMieux to the band and the four began performing in the summer of 2004.
At a December performance that year, the four got to know drummer/producer Britton Rice
Britton Rice
Britton Rice is an award-winning American musician and record producer, most notably known for his work with Polydream, among many others.-Reviews:******-Interviews:****...
. Rice, formerly of Lex Rex, agreed to produce a couple of songs for the band. Rice spent most of 2005 working with the band on their debut EP, A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1 is an EP by the American alternative rock band Polydream, released on July 14, 2006. It is a prelude to the band's debut full-length album, titled Send Me to the Sun.-Track listing:#"Catch Me If You Can"#"Juner"...
. As the music became more piano based, Austin moved to piano and guitar and Britton filled in on drums to move the writing along. Rice, later agreed to join Polydream as a full-time member.
Polydream released A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1
A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1 is an EP by the American alternative rock band Polydream, released on July 14, 2006. It is a prelude to the band's debut full-length album, titled Send Me to the Sun.-Track listing:#"Catch Me If You Can"#"Juner"...
on July 14, 2006. The band went on to tour for the remainder of 2006. In late 2006 & early 2007 the band went back to the recording studio to lay down tracks for new material. They were named Best New Artist at the Madison Area Music Awards in 2007. In the summer, Polydream performed at Summerfest
Summerfest
Summerfest is a yearly music festival held at the Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The festival lasts for 11 days, is made up of 11 stages with performances from over 700 bands, and since the mid-1970s has run from late June through early July, usually...
on the last day of the festival. Polydream released their debut album, titled Send Me to the Sun
Send Me to the Sun
Send Me to the Sun is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Polydream, released on December 15, 2007.-Track listing:#"Catch Me If You Can" - 4:59#"Dreaming Of" - 5:11#"In the Daylight" - 3:13#"Juner" - 4:47...
, which is a full-length follow-up to the previous EP. The record was released digitally on December 15, 2007 and has since been released on compact disc.
Members
Current- Jonathan Knudson – vocals, guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Lucas Etten – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Former
- Eric LeMieux – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Britton RiceBritton RiceBritton Rice is an award-winning American musician and record producer, most notably known for his work with Polydream, among many others.-Reviews:******-Interviews:****...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Discography
- A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1 is an EP by the American alternative rock band Polydream, released on July 14, 2006. It is a prelude to the band's debut full-length album, titled Send Me to the Sun.-Track listing:#"Catch Me If You Can"#"Juner"...
(2006) - EP - Send Me to the SunSend Me to the SunSend Me to the Sun is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Polydream, released on December 15, 2007.-Track listing:#"Catch Me If You Can" - 4:59#"Dreaming Of" - 5:11#"In the Daylight" - 3:13#"Juner" - 4:47...
(December 15, 2007) - TBA (2010)
Reviews
- Review of A Rigid Shard of Balance: 1 by OnMilwaukee.com
- EP Review by Rag Magazine
- Review by Trent McMartin of Music-Critic.ca
- Review by Jeffrey Kurtis of All Ages Zine
- Review of EP by Rick's Cafe
- EP Review by Smother