In the heart of Queens, New York City, emerged a musical force that defies traditional genre boundaries—Subway Rat, born David Polanco on November 19, 1993. This underground sensation, with roots in retro-inspired alt-rock and indie pop, has carved a unique niche in the music scene. Polanco’s musical journey began during a tumultuous breakup with his college sweetheart. Little did he know that several months later, a life-changing diagnosis of autism level 1 would shape the trajectory of his creative expression. In the midst of these experiences, he penned his inaugural song, “Rendezvous,” a testament to the raw emotion that would become a hallmark of his work. Despite lacking formal musical training, Polanco, drawing from a background in 7th-grade trumpet and 8 years of step and hip-hop dancing, has since crafted over 100 songs. Collaborating with indie rock guitarist and producer Paco Lee, discovered through serendipitous beats on YouTube, Subway Rat found his musical home at Lounge Studios in Times Square, working alongside multi-platinum, Grammy-winning engineers. Fans and critics alike have lauded Subway Rat’s distinctive rasp, emotive delivery, romantic storytelling, and edgy dance flow—a fusion reminiscent of iconic New York artists like The Strokes, Ramones, Talking Heads, Lou Reed, DMX, and 50 Cent. Influences from across the river, such as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Bleachers, add a touch of NJ pop storytelling to the mix. Meanwhile, Polanco’s upbringing infused with 80s glam, new wave, and ska echoes from his dad’s collection contributes to the nostalgic pop/rock/hip-hop fusion that defines Subway Rat’s sound. Subway Rat’s debut album, “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors,” released in the summer of 2023, stands as a testament to his artistic evolution. Anchored by the evocative single “Rendezvous,” the album weaves a narrative of heartbreak and unrequited love in the backdrop of the big city. Drawing inspiration from NYC icons like The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem, Subway Rat’s music achieves a delicate balance between nostalgic familiarity and cutting-edge innovation. “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors” has rapidly approached the 2 million streams milestone, a testament to the album’s resonance with listeners. The 12-track journey takes us through a danceable alt-rock odyssey, infused with mid-00’s Lower East Side nostalgia and adorned with creative elements like hip-hop drums, progressive delays, echoes, and indie-pop synthesizers, all with a distinct Queens flair. In this standout debut entry to the indie alternative scene, Subway Rat lays the groundwork for a promising career, delivering raw emotion and unfiltered vulnerability through his lyrics. The album is not just a collection of tracks; it’s the birth of an artist, a testament to the authenticity and creative spirit that Subway Rat brings to the musical landscape.
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