Polica

Poliça is an American pop band that formed in 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band’s core members include Channy Leaneagh (vocals, synth), Chris Bierden (bass), Drew Christopherson (drums), and Ben Ivascu (drums). Ryan Olson, who helped establish the group, primarily contributes as the band’s producer. Poliça’s sound is characterized by a blend of art pop, synth-pop, indietronica, indie pop, trip hop, alt-pop, and electropop. The origins of Poliça are rooted in Ryan Olson’s project, Gayngs, where Channy Leaneagh performed as a backing singer. After collaborating on musical ideas, Olson encouraged Leaneagh to record R&B-influenced songs in the summer of 2011, incorporating various vocal effects. The group then expanded to include Chris Bierden, Drew Christopherson, and Ben Ivascu for recording sessions, with Mike Noyce of Bon Iver making a guest appearance. While Olson remained a studio presence, Bierden, Christopherson, Ivascu, and Leaneagh formed the Poliça touring lineup.

The band’s debut album, “Give You the Ghost,” was released on Valentine’s Day in 2012 through the local independent label Totally Gross National Product. The decision to self-finance the record allowed for a quick release. Following its release, Poliça performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas, in March 2012, where their live performances were noted for their beauty and power. In August 2012, Poliça signed with Mom + Pop records, leading to a re-release of their debut album and an accompanying remix EP. They expanded their reach with international tours and festival appearances, including a notable performance on “Later… with Jools Holland.” Their second album, “Shulamith,” released in October 2013, was predominantly created through collaboration between Olson and Leaneagh via email, taking shape at Bon Iver’s April Base studios. The album’s title references feminist Shulamith Firestone, who Leaneagh cited as a major influence. The group continued to release music, including the “Raw Exit” EP in 2014, and their third album, “United Crushers,” in 2016, recorded in Texas. This album marked a period of personal milestones for Leaneagh, who married Ryan Olson and had a son in 2015.

In 2018, Poliça collaborated with the Berlin-based orchestral collective Stargaze to create “Music for the Long Emergency,” an album that originated from their joint work on a Liquid Music project. This project showcased a creative evolution for the band, building on an 18-month collaborative effort. Subsequent albums include “When We Stay Alive” in 2020 and “Madness” in 2022, both released through Memphis Industries. In July 2025, Poliça announced their seventh studio album, “Dreams Go,” set for release in October 2025. This upcoming album was largely recorded at Pachyderm Studio in Minnesota and features Chris Bierden’s final performances on bass before his departure due to a glioblastoma diagnosis. While Bierden can no longer perform live, Poliça is moving forward with Alex Nutter joining the touring lineup, emphasizing their ongoing capacity for reinvention and adaptation.