Introducing: Polo Lounge
Polo Lounge, a four-piece indie/alternative rock band from South East Kent, is making waves with their high-energy sound and infectious melodies. Drawing inspiration from the darker tones of Arctic Monkeys and the dance-driven energy of Bloc Party and Foals, Polo Lounge blends post-punk rhythms with heavy textures for a sound that’s as dynamic as it is addictive.
Founded in March 2024 by multi-instrumentalist Tom Rich, Polo Lounge started as a solo project with the recording of three electrifying tracks—Joyride, Trapped Nerve, and Burnt Tongue. With drums by Liam Henderson, who also produced the tracks, Tom laid down guitars, vocals, bass, and synth to set the tone for the band.
The lineup solidified when drummer Eevie Taylor, bassist Josh Earles, and guitarist Courtland Adams joined in July, bringing an immediate spark to their first rehearsal. Since then, Polo Lounge has played memorable gigs in Canterbury and Folkestone, with their debut single Joyride earning BBC Introducing Kent’s Record of the Week.
With standout praise like “earworm guitar riffs and a massive chorus I wanna scream at the top of my lungs!” from Abbie McCarthy, the band is already building serious momentum. As 2025 approaches, Polo Lounge plans to release Burnt Tongue with an accompanying music video in January, headline a show in Margate, and hit the studio as a full band for the first time.
Tom, you started Polo Lounge as a solo project before bringing the band together. Could you share more about the transition from solo work to forming a full band? How did the dynamic change when Eevie, Josh, and Courtland joined?
It was always the plan to turn Polo Lounge into a full band. I just wanted to start it by getting into the studio to record a few songs. Then to get bandmates together, play live and bring the songs to life! Fast forward to July, I’d recorded 3 tracks and had a few demos ready to be worked on.
It helped having songs and demos ready, because when I’d found bandmates, there was already music for them to listen to and learn. Which thankfully they loved! We’ve only been a band for a short time, but the dynamic has changed already. Each band member brings their own style and enthusiasm, with this having a very positive affect in helping us evolve. Playing the songs live, you can feel everyone’s energy, and now we’re all excited play more shows and to work on new music together!
You’ve described your sound as a blend of the darker side of Arctic Monkeys with the up-tempo energy of Bloc Party and Foals. How did these influences shape your creative process, and what sets Polo Lounge apart from other bands in the indie/alternative rock scene?
It was always the plan to turn Polo Lounge into a full band. I just wanted to start it by getting into the studio to record a few songs. Then to get bandmates together, play live and bring the songs to life! Fast forward to July, I’d recorded 3 tracks and had a few demos ready to be worked on. It helped having songs and demos ready, because when I’d found bandmates, there was already music for them to listen to and learn. Which thankfully they loved!
We’ve only been a band for a short time, but the dynamic has changed already. Each band member brings their own style and enthusiasm, with this having a very positive affect in helping us evolve. Playing the songs live, you can feel everyone’s energy, and now we’re all excited play more shows and to work on new music together!
From recording your first three tracks to having "Joyride" selected as BBC Introducing Kent’s Record of the Week, it’s been an exciting journey. What have been some of the standout moments for the band so far?
A few of the thoughts I have when I’m writing music are, how does it make me feel? does it excite me? does it make me move? I think this comes from listening to those influences, especially their early records, with all the raw energy, it’s exciting! It makes you want to move and air drum the songs while you’re driving along! Hopefully all of these things help in making us an exciting band, and that’s what we want to be know for!
Your upcoming single "Burnt Tongue" and its music video are set for release in January, and you’re planning to record your first track as a full band. Can you give us a sneak peek into the creative process behind this new material and what fans can expect?
‘Burnt Tongue’ is set for release on 17th January. We’ve just filmed a music video for it, which was great fun! We had a brilliant location, at a good friends warehouse in Margate.
The creative process started with a demo I’d made. I remember playing it to Courtland when we first met and we were both buzzing work on it! Eevie and Josh loved it and we couldn’t wait to get in the rehearsal room to play it. We started playing it as a full band in the rehearsal room and we knew straight away it was going to be our first song together!
We really lock in for the second half of the song! post-punk, duelling guitars, driving bass lines and high energy drums. This one is for the Bloc Party fans.
You’ve played gigs in Canterbury and Folkestone, with your first headline show set for February. How do you approach live performances to capture the energy of your music, and what are your aspirations for Polo Lounge in the coming year?
We’re very excited for our first headline show in Margate! (28th February at 101 Social) We’re playing with excellent Tony Westcliff and the super funky Fine Lime, who are both superb!
For our live shows, I think of taking inspiration from DJ sets.. Keep the music flowing and that keeps the energy up! We’re going to add a few transitions between songs and experiment with some extended mixes. From all the gigs I’ve been to over the years, I try to think of all the best bits and use those ideas in our live shows.
For 2025 we want to work on new music together and get gigs booked in. There’s some exciting stuff coming up with us being asked to support some brilliant bands and we’re also playing at ‘Preston Summer Fest’ in August.
Hopefully we’ll be able to play at some of the great independent venues around Kent. We just want to have fun and are looking forward to what looks to be an exciting year!
