Artist Detailed Info: Polter

**POLTER** is a Chilean rock band formed in Ovalle, Chile, in 2001. Its classic lineup consisted of Iván Toro (lead vocals and guitars), Oscar Hauyon (vocals and keyboards), Patricio Romero (bass and vocals), and Andrés Larraín (drums). Their music blends elements of alternative rock, power pop, britpop, electropop, and Chilean rock, with a strong emphasis on vocal harmonies and melodic songwriting.

After releasing an independent demo, the band received a Chilean Fondart grant in 2002 to record new material with musician and producer Héctor Arriagada. From those sessions came the first studio version of En Soledad, whose music video received airplay on MTV Latino and Vía X. That same year, Polter made its Santiago debut as part of AudioMúsica's *Bandas de Chile* concert series at the legendary venue La Batuta.

In 2003, the band released the EP Estrella. Its title track gained widespread attention through a music video starring actress Ignacia Allamand. MTV Latino selected it as an "Exclusive Video" and later included it among the channel's 100 greatest Spanish-language rock videos during its tenth-anniversary celebration in Latin America.

In 2004, Polter won the nationwide **"¿Quieres sonar en la Rock & Pop?"** contest, organized by Chile's Radio Rock & Pop, beating more than 600 competing songs. A newly remixed version of En Soledad entered the station's regular rotation, becoming the band's breakthrough single.

The exposure led to Polter being selected by Chile's Sello Azul program to release its debut full-length album, Polter, in 2005. The record combined newly recorded material with remastered versions of earlier songs and produced four singles: En Soledad, Estrella, Nü Wave, and Gotas de Agua, all supported by music videos.

During this period, the band maintained an active touring schedule, performing at some of Chile's best-known venues, including La Batuta, Blondie, Sala Master, Salas SCD, and numerous theaters and clubs across the country. They also appeared on several television and radio programs, including *Raras Tocatas Nuevas*, *Vía Directa*, *Zona Joven*, *D-Mente*, and *S.Q.P.*

In November 2008, Polter released its second album, Moderno, through Feria Music. Produced and mixed with renowned engineer Roberto Marti, the record featured a more guitar-driven sound while retaining the band's signature vocal harmonies. It spawned the singles Antigua, A Velocidad, and No Quiero. The video for "A Velocidad," remixed by Chilean electronic producer Sokio, remained on MTV Latino's charts for twelve consecutive weeks and also received airplay in Argentina, Colombia, and the United States through specialized music television programs.

In 2009, the band received funding from Chile's National Music Fund to produce a third studio album with Sokio. However, the project remained officially unreleased after Polter announced its breakup in May 2010. Their final concert took place at the Teatro Regional del Maule during a benefit event for victims of Chile's February 27 earthquake.

Over the following years, the members reunited occasionally for special performances, including appearances in the *Sesiones Musicales* series by Ovalle Cultura, the Suena Festival in La Serena, and Chile's National Pisco Day celebration in 2022. That same year, they returned to the studio to record the singles Tal vez and Camanchaca.

In 2026, Iván Toro and Oscar Hauyon officially revived Polter, resuming work on the band's long-unreleased third album while also beginning the development of new material.

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