JAMIE HAILS of POLARIS: Further Along The Mortal Coil
An interview by Molly O’Brien.
The Australian Metalcore act Polaris hit the ground running with their first album, ‘The Mortal Coil’. After taking the world by storm, 2019 kicked off with Polaris returning to Europe and the UK supporting UK metalcore kings, Architects on their massive arena run throughout January and February.
In March, they returned to perform their first shows of the year on home soil as part of Download Festival in Sydney and Melbourne – entertaining their largest crowds to date.
Polaris have cemented their place in the global scene with tours with seminal down-under heavy heroes Parkway Drive and a show-stealing appearance at their second Unify Gathering. They also slapped a sold-out sign on all three of their Australian headline tours in less than 12 months!
Molly O’Brien had the chance to catch up with Polaris vocalist Jamie Hails on the eve of their first ever New Zealand tour, performing a three date tour later this month across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
In your Holy Hell EU Documentary earlier this year in which you toured with Architects and Beartooth, Ryan, (lead guitar), mentioned that European fans “give a shit about you”, and bring their all to the pit. Do you remember the first show with Polaris where the audience lost their minds, knew the words and were there to support you regardless of your spot on the bill?
When we released our first song ‘Summit’ and then our first EP ‘Dichotomy’, we were playing two shows a weekend locally (in Sydney, Australia). After a little bit of time we had a handful of people who would follow us around and come to shows and that was really cool. But I think the first time where it kind of hit me that we were gaining a bit of a following was our first tour around Australia with Sienna Skies. I’d never been to Melbourne in my life yet there were people in the front row at NEXT! singing along – I just remember being like “What the hell?!” That was a bit of a shock.
Over the past two years you guys have been touring like crazy and spreading the beauty of ‘The Mortal Coil’. Any your key tips to surviving life on the road?
It’s a bit full on because we feel like we’re never really home these days but at the same time it’s quite enjoyable, we’re getting to experiencing places we’ve never been to. It’s been a very wild ride so far. I’d say bring your own pillow, (I could sleep on a tiled floor if I wanted to), but it’s worth it for the little bit of comfort. Just try and look after yourself, eat as healthy as you can.
I’ve been told I have to ask this on behalf of the masses – what’s your hair care regime?
Ha! It’s kind of deteriorated over the years, when I first joined the band I would blow dry and straighten it all the time. My secret was always Sunsilk! 80-90% of the time at home it’s tied up anyway… I haven’t had a hair cut in a very long time.
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Who’s better at football, Polaris or Architects?
[At this point Rick Schneider, Polaris Guitarist interjects] Absolutely no question, Architects wrecked us. Put it this way, I played football for eleven years and Architects were still way, way better than us!
[Jamie] I actually missed that match, I left with Ryan to get a tattoo and the rest of the boys got to play footy. We had a day off beforehand so all the bands were pretty hungover… I think Rick actually vomited after that game. Everyone was pretty rough. I don’t know if that was a hinderance, but as Rick said, Polaris got destroyed.
I feel like a lot of us metalcore fans were in shock that bands such as Parkway Drive, August Burns Red and Architects were hosting tours to celebrate a whole decade passing after albums that perhaps created the playing field in metalcore. How does it feel knowing that you inspire the next generation, as they did for you?
It’s very overwhelming. I’m still trying to process it. I don’t necessarily perceive our band to be as big as it is – people keep calling us the biggest up and coming band in metalcore and I’m like ‘Really?! Holy shit’!
It’s quite odd to process that what we do has such a major impact on the music scene, it’s quite incredible. To be honest I don’t feel like we’re super unique but we write songs that we would want to hear and what we want to deliver live and I guess that’s come across the past few releases.
It’s subjective of course, but I think you guys are doing so well because Polaris gives a very genuine feel and not that tough guy act which is often too prevalent in the heavy music scene. It provides a safe space for fans.
Daniel, our lyricist, tells very real stories and one thing I have noticed especially with ‘The Mortal Coil’, is that our music really impacts people and has helped people through hardships which is amazing to hear because for me music has done the same with helping me through my issues. The fact that we can pass that on for other people is incredible.
I’ll be screaming on stage with my angry face on and I’ll feel the emotion in the room, it’s quite touching. Then I’ll see someone crying, feeling it and singing along and I’m like, “Oh maybe I shouldn’t be so angry, I’m sorry!”
Why do Australians make such good metalcore?
I get asked about this heaps overseas – the way that I see it with Australia, we have a heavy music scene that appears big but it really quite small. So for example if a band came out sounding exactly like Northlane there would be no room for it – I guess that we have to try exceptionally hard to sound unique even if it it’s a similar genre to another band. Over the past three, maybe four years people have been coming out with sounds I’ve never heard before. It’s awesome.
Are there any bands you guys back that we should all keep an eye out for?
Above Below is doing some great things, just announced a new album. Ambleside, Alphawolf, Diamond Construct, Tapestry… I could sit here all day!
Is there a new album on the cards for the near future? Are there any musical realms or themes you want to explore?
I won’t say much… but we’re in the midst of it at the moment. We’re playing a new song on this whole run called ‘Hypermania’ so look out for that. I can’t say much. Soon, I promise soon.
Polaris will be hitting New Zealand next week with shows in Auckland (22nd August), Wellington (23rd August) and Christchurch (24th August). Tickets for all shows are available HERE, but get in quick as they’re selling quickly!
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