The Latest…

2025

Since their emergence from Minneapolis’ vibrant underground in 2011, Poliça has carved out a singular space in electronic indie-pop, blending shadowy synths, pulsating rhythms, and the unmistakable vocal presence of Channy Leaneagh—a voice that bends and refracts like light through water, shaped by intricate processing yet deeply human at its core. Co-founded by producer Ryan Olson, the band’s alchemy has long been defined by its balance of warmth and detachment, with Chris Bierden’s melodic basslines and the dueling drums of Ben Ivascu and Drew Christopherson anchoring their hypnotic sound.

From the spectral longing of Give You the Ghost (2012) to the dystopian undercurrents of United Crushers (2016) and the machine-driven paranoia of Madness (2022), Poliça has never been content to stand still. Their upcoming LP, Dreams Go, out September 2025, is perhaps their most emotionally charged yet—a collection of eight new songs recorded at Pachyderm Studio in Minnesota, marking the band’s final sessions with Chris Bierden before he lost the ability to play due to brain cancer. The record pulses with a raw, elegiac energy, a testament to the chemistry that defined Poliça’s first decade.

While Bierden can no longer perform live, Poliça presses forward, reimagining themselves once more with a new touring lineup. Dreams Go doesn’t just memorialize the past—it propels the band into the next phase of their evolution, proving that reinvention has always been part of their DNA.

Poliça has welcomed their old friend and collaborator, Alex Nutter into the band. His magic with electronics and processing will be joining the band live on all future shows.

Rotting

Video shot by Casey Anderson & Zoe Prinds-Flash

Song by Poliça

Released by Memphis Industries

2022

Photo credit: HYPE MACHINE

Poliça are an American electronic music band from Minneapolis, formed in 2011. The band consists of Channy Leaneagh (vocals, lyrics), Chris Bierden (bass), Drew Christopherson (drums) and Ben Ivascu (drums), with Ryan Olson in a studio context as its producer & composer. Channy Leaneagh was once quoted as saying the band was originally formed to “escape into a different reality”. The band has toured the WORLD since 2011 and released 5 LPS, 2 EPS and a few singles here, there and everywhere.

KEXP: July 7, 2022

Latest Release Bio (MADNESS, 2022) Recorded mostly from 2020-2021 in Ryan Olson’s Minneapolis studio with lyrics written and recorded by Channy Leaneagh in her room, Madness is an experimental expansion of the 4 piece family band of Chris Bierden (bass), Drew Christopherson and Ben Ivascu (drums) to include the anthropomorphic production tool “AllOvers(c)”, designed by Olson and fellow producer & sound-artist Seth Rosetter.

This latest release continues within the collaborative enclave in which Poliça resides and includes co-production by Dustin Zahn (“Alive” & “Away”), Alex Ridha and Alex Nutter (“Violence”). Madness is Poliça’s 7th release; preceded by the stand alone single “Rotting” and their 2019 release: When We Stay Alive. The lyrics and artwork for Madness is best summed up by this: “I am here for you all and I am never truly myself here. I am her for you all and I am never truly her”.

In 2022 Chris Bierden, Poliça’s beloved bass player and unmatched harmony vocalist was diagnosed with brain cancer. Chris is a phenomenally strong and brilliant human and we are all continuously inspired by the fight he has waged against the cruel toll of Glioblastoma.

The band continues to be hit by challenge after challenge, yet reliably delivers when there are things to be said. With new music in the works, and some shows booked in August, the future remains uncertain and exciting.