Minneapolis-based electronic quintet POLIÇA and European orchestral collective s t a r g a z e released a 10-minute short film for their song “How Is This Happening,” from this year’s collaborative album, Music For The Long Emergency. Kron and produced by Meow Wolf, a  entertainment group based in Sante Fe, New Mexico.The film was shot fromscenic ventures through national and state parks, forests, canyons, and gorges in New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

POLIÇA singer Channy Leaneagh penned the lyrics of “How Is This Happening” in the moment following  Trump’s 2016 election and became a form of therapy from all the emotions reeling post-election.”That was an example of the truly healing effects of making music with your friends,” says Leaneagh. “And while it doesn’t necessarily make things better, it builds community.”

POLIÇA and s t a r g a z e first met in Berlin in 2016 in s t a r g a z e conductor André de Ridder’s living room. From there, the process continued as an 18-month long “ping pong” match as the bands exchanged ideas and music over email, mp3 files, video conferencing, and the occasional meet-up in Berlin, Minneapolis, and Eau Claire. Both bands were determined, to make something unique,beyond just a cut-and-pate creation of their styles. According to a great many music critics they highly succeeded.

Watch the video for “How Is This Happening” below.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat