Pop Punk Newcomers Heading North Release New Single "Polarity"
PITTSBURGH, PA | October 6th, 2023: Today, Pittsburgh-based band Heading North released their second single, “Polarity.” The upbeat, emotionally-charged track is true to the maximalist nature of the band: boundless drum parts, sparkly guitar riffs, and lyrics that make you think a little hard about just what they mean. The song is about singer Asha Edson’s introspective view of their struggles as a teenager.
“For a while, I thought this song was about a specific person I always fought with and how much I just couldn’t forgive and forget..Recently though, I realized this song is more about me, the grudges I hold, and the things I say out of spite. It feels like a sort of diss track for myself, especially me as a teenager. I don’t fully have a handle on it now, but I was really bitter and sad when I was younger. This song kind of comes from that perspective of someone that’s just so used to fighting and stooping low that it almost feels offensive to be asked to stop.”
Heading North consists of vocalist Asha Edson (they/she), lead guitarist Aedan Symons (he/they), rhythm guitarist Hannah Kozak (she/her), bassist Cee Frink (she/her) and lastly drummer Mike Stolarz (he/him).
Aside from "Polarity," the band's debut single, "Toss/Turn," was produced, recorded, and mixed by Dom Frankeny, and engineered by close friend Dom Frankeny. Heading North is the definition of a DIY band. Writing music to work through personal, internal struggles, making their own merch, and enlisting close friends to help with the recording. In a commentary on this song, Edson explains how "Polarity" was an obvious choice for the title.
The title has sort of a double meaning for me,” says Edson. “On the one hand, it’s about these two opposite forces that are constantly at odds with each other. More literally, though, it refers to my experience with bipolar disorder. It runs in my family and really shapes the way I handle conflict. The song is really about conflict at its core.
Heading North formed after the disbanding of lead guitarist Aedan Symons, drummer Mike Stolarz, and bassist Cee Frink’s previous band. The three recruited lead vocalist Asha Edson and rhythm guitarist Hannah Kozak to round out the lineup; both had both been indirectly involved with Symons, Stolarz, and Frink’s previous band. Heading North strives to write and perform high energy and highly emotional pop punk that knows no bounds, incorporating influences from post-hardcore, indie pop, metalcore, math rock, and R&B/hip hop. The band also strives to create a live show that provides listeners a fun break from reality, no matter what they may be going through.
