Five Questions With Polartropica:

Polartropica is the music endeavor of Los Angeles based, whimsical space-pop artist, Ihui (eeway) Cherise Wu. Born in Taiwan yet raised in California, Wu successfully combines quirky pop melodies, futuristic synths and classical string arrangements, creating a genre of bubblegum psychedelia that you’ve never heard before.

Polartropica derived after Wu heard a song which couldn’t be defined by a genre – ‘Polartropic’ by Mark Foster. Admiring the contrast between both ‘polar’ and ‘tropical’, Wu decided to formulate a place where things can exist where they don’t belong. Polartropica fuses elements of complete opposites together with the outcome resulting in a unique, ethereal sound that defies all sonic worlds. Using both organic and synthetic instruments, Wu conceived a visionary dream world for listeners to escape to. Wu professes, “I wanted to create a healing, inspiring and empowering space with just the right amount of disco-party!”

After the successful release of her debut single in 2015, with Free Bike Valet describing her music as “chock-full with danceable pop beats, swirly synth arrangements and video game-ish effects”, Wu is back with an even more glittery and fantastical work of art than ever before. The theme of the new music is a magical make-believe world, with an abundance of dreamlike outer-space sounds seeping into the songs. “I’m hoping to always make ethereal and beautiful music, the songs are generally lyrically sad and a little dark, but the music always has a sparkly sheen”, admits Wu.

Polartropica’s new releases were inspired and affected by events that transpired in 2016. Lead single, ‘Crystal Ramen’ was written after witnessing the breakdown of a friend’s 10 year relationship. Wu confesses, “It was a crushing, slow burning slow motion movie, and the song is dedicated to my dear friend. The narrative is inspired by disconnecting and moving forward from not only harmful relationships but also old ideas we can be attached to”. ‘Crystal Ramen’ features sweeping, cinematic soundscapes and an insight into Wu’s love of movie and theatrical scores.

‘Olympia’ utilizes J-Pop characteristics, with shimmering dreamlike vocals, creating an electro-pop anthem. Thematically influenced by the movements for rights and equality during the presidential elections, as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics trailer, it’s a rallying cry with an energizing and upbeat message.

‘Golden Soul’ is drenched in electro synth, dramatic strings and upbeat drum machines. Stylistically ‘Golden Soul’ sounds animated and avant garde, highlighting Wu’s commitment to establishing a sound with no restrictions.

Polartropica is focused on bringing everyone together on an audio-visual outer space adventure. Their successes to date include their debut EP Astrodreams being released via Lolipop Records, which was then selected for Les Femmes International Underground Film Festival. They have received numerous film and TV placements. Most recently Wu had the privilege of scoring Yoko Okumura’s award-winning short, ‘Strawberries Will Save the World’. Polartropica also pride themselves on giving back to the community, by pairing up with organizations such as Planned Parenthood and Youth Justice Coalition for live shows.

Integrating 90’s pop, classical arrangements and intergalactic space-pop, Polartropica is guaranteed to feed your imagination, with their eccentric and distinguished sound.

As you see yourself, who is Polartropica?

Polartropica is a sparkly unicorn just trying to get through life and bring as much rainbow joy to the universe as possible!

Tell us about your current project?

I wanted to write the next theme song for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. If you superimpose the song to the trailer they aired at the end of the last Olympics (you can find it on Youtube) it fits perfectly! I just have to convince them. Yoko Okumura directed the music video featuring badass women we know in real life ~ for the set we created an infinite universe with mirrors inspired by Yayoi Kusama‘s incredible installation at LACMA.

What’s on your bucket list to accomplish as an entertainer?

I would love to soundtrack a trilogy musical saga about cute animals that turn out to be fearless superheroes… and somehow the story involves delicious fruits.

Will you be finishing out 2017 on the road or what’s on your horizon for 2018?

We will be releasing a couple of new singles before finishing our first full-length or an EP late 2017 or early 2018!

The Hype Magazine wants to know: What’s been your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?! Or “WTF?!” moment thus far in your career?

In our music video for Light Up the Sky, we ended up at the Salton Sea, which looks sort of like another planet! Also, my friend Stephanie Kim is featured in an epic ballet battle with a panda human ex, and the outcome is a pretty cool “A-HA” moment. It comes close, but nothing can beat last week’s Game of Thrones episode!! <3