Ryan William Pollie (born August 2, 1988) is an American musician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who now lives in Los Angeles, California.[2] Pollie is primarily known for music under his own name and as Los Angeles Police Department. He is also a music producer who mostly self produces his own albums.[3]
Ryan Pollie | |
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 Pollie in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ryan William Pollie[1] |
| Born | August 2, 1988 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels |
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Career
editPollie moved to Los Angeles after completing a degree in music from Bates College in Maine in 2010.[4] In 2014, Pollie began the recording project Los Angeles Police Department. The long, anonymous band name was inspired by 60s artists like Jimi Hendrix Experience, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Mothers of Invention.[5]
Pollie's self-titled debut album was released in 2014, and was called one of the best debuts of 2014 by Flood Magazine.[6] The same year he was named a "Band To Watch" by Stereogum.[5] Pitchfork, citing his "intense Smile studying" and ambitious arrangements and melodies, gave the record a 7.5 score.[2]
In 2017, Pollie linked with Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado for production assistance and released his 2nd self titled record as Los Angeles Police Department.[7] The album deals with his struggles with depression and anxiety, and the album cover alludes to his fear of flying.[8] The first single "Hard" premiered on the Fader[7] and the LA Times called the album "a memorable record from start to finish", citing "After the Gold Rush-era Neil Young" and "Brian Wilson" as influences.[9]
While working on his first album under his own name, Pollie was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.[10] He finished the record while receiving chemotherapy.[3] Pollie's first single "Aim Slow" was premiered on NPR[10] and the album was named one of New Commute's Albums of the Year,[11] as well as one of Uproxx’s Best Indie Albums of 2019.[12] The album was described by Pitchfork as a "folky blend of California pop and country" [10]. NPR favorably compared the music to ‘70s songwriters like Jackson Browne and Graham Nash.[10]
In March 2020, Pollie released a concert film and accompanying EP titled "Live at the Grove."[13] Around the same time, Pollie organized and created the first ever Highland Park Folk Festival which was staged outside at La Tierra de la Culebra Park. It featured music, comedy, and an outdoor festival flea market and was free to the public.[14]
Pollie's next album will be titled Stars, the first album of his not self-titled.[15]
References
edit- ^ "ASHLYN". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Los Angeles Police Department: Los Angeles Police Department". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ a b "Ryan Pollie: Ryan Pollie". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Police Neutrality: LAPD's Ryan Pollie Takes It As It Comes". Impose Magazine. September 2, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ a b "Band To Watch: Los Angeles Police Department". Stereogum. August 13, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "WATCH: Ryan Pollie Hangs Around In The Sun For Los Angeles Police Department's "Enough Is Enough" Video". FLOOD. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ a b "Los Angeles Police Department's "Hard" Will Remind You That Love Can Be Scarier Than Loneliness". The Fader. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Los Angeles Police Department Tackle Anxiety, Fear of Flight, & Piano Ballads". Bandcamp Daily. April 18, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "California Sounds: Los Angeles Police Department issues another record, DJ Quik and Problem expand on 'Rosecrans' and Annie Hardy turns grief into art". Los Angeles Times. April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c Sandstrom, Adelaide (March 21, 2019). "Ryan Pollie Searches For The Spiritual On 'Aim Slow'". NPR.org. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "New Commute Albums of the Year 2019 // New Releases". New Commute. November 27, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "The Best Indie Albums of 2019 So Far, Ranked". Uproxx. June 4, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Ryan Pollie- Live At The Grove". New Commute. March 10, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ Bronson, Kevin (February 25, 2020). "Highland Park Folk Festival debuts March 7 with Severin Browne, Eva. B. Ross, Quinn DeVeaux and more". buzzbands.la. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "ryan pollie on Instagram: "me working on my next album of songs, called STARS. @michael_rault @timkelly__ @dobrobson @willfoxsongs @teddygro @brianrosemeyer…"". Instagram. Retrieved May 23, 2020.