Girls Only Comp: Polaroid Fade
Polaroid Fade is an indie band from South Jersey whose music is a captivating blend of old-school new-wave and contemporary alternative rock. Their sound has an 80’s vibe that immediately transports their listeners to a warm, sunny day on the boardwalk. Nicoletta’s expressive, dreamy vocals and Tyler’s intricate guitar work help accentuate their ability to craft luscious melodies, setting the background of atmospheric guitar arrangements. Especially in tracks like “Delancey” and “Bliss,” their nostalgic and youthful feel shines through. With the recent release of their debut album ‘Chaos Into Poetry,” their fanbase has steadily been growing while they continue to tour around the northeast.
For our Girls Only Compilation Album coming out on March 21st, Polaroid Fade will be performing a cover of the Sundays.
Nicoletta, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, finds ample inspiration in the Sundays and their lead singer, Harriet Wheeler.
“The Sundays have always been a band that we’ve adored, so we knew exactly who to cover for this compilation album. Here’s Where The Story Ends is just one of those songs that when you hear it instantly puts you in a good head space.”
This admiration is beautifully demonstrated in Polaroid Fade’s music, whether it be through their choice of tone or uplifting melodies. In an interview, Nicoletta dives deeper into this inspiration:
Q: How has this artist influenced your own music and creative journey?
A: Honestly, when I started writing songs, I set out to write Sundays-ish songs because as a 14-year-old at the time it was all I could really reference to define my sound. I used Harriet Wheeler's voice as a template to find my voice and their chord shapes to define our guitar sound. It’s developed since then but I think you can still hear them in everything we do. They are influenced by The Smiths, so the evolution just works, haha!
Q: Do you remember the first time you heard this song? What impact did it have on you?
A: I don’t remember the first time I heard this song, but I can confidently say that every time I hear it I feel nothing but bliss. It brings me complete happiness and quite frankly I have never been sad while listening to it!
Q: Are there any other female artists who have significantly shaped your musical style?
A: Absolutely! Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins, Juliana Hatfield, Karen Peris from The Innocence Mission, Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses, Debby Harry, and the list goes on! Such empowering women within the dream pop/indie genre!
Q: Did you approach this cover differently than your original music?
A: Not at all! We take heavy inspiration from this song, and a lot of what we do is directly influenced by them. This cover was almost more of an homage than a cover. We just love the Sundays too much haha!
Q: Were there any unique challenges in translating the original artist’s style into your own?
A: Nope! We’re really inspired by everything the Sundays have done, and ever since we’ve started writing, and honestly a little before, we knew the Sundays would be a prominent influence in our music.
Q: What emotions or messages do you hope to convey through your version of the song?
A: We hope our version makes you feel the way the original makes us feel, total happiness. We also hope that if you like the Sundays you’ll appreciate our take and give our original music a chance.
Nicoletta also shares her perspective as a woman starting in the music industry:
Q: What does Women's History Month mean to you as an artist?
A: Women’s History Month is all about the empowerment and strength of all women. But also to shine a light upon all of the women who risked everything for our rights and to enforce gender equality.
Q: What advice would you give to young women looking to make their mark in the music industry?
A: Stay true to yourself and make music that inspires YOU. Know who you are and never let anyone tell you differently. Believe in yourself as well. You are capable of anything that you put your mind to.
Q: If you could collaborate with any influential woman in music, past or present, who would it be and why?
A: Harriet Wheeler of the Sundays. I idolize her. Her vocals, her mannerisms, her vocabulary.. everything! My obsession is completely unhealthy. She is also a good example of rebellion against the mainstream. She fell off the face of the earth in 1997 and nobody really knows where she is or how she’s doing.
Q: What challenges do you think women in music still face today, and how can the industry support them better?
A: Without getting into specifics, I think there will always be challenges for women in music, and society in general. But I do believe there are less and less thanks to the many women who have come before us.
