Behind Polite stands singer and songwriter Karina Kaleda. With roots in folk and indie rock, Polite moves within a sonic universe where soft vocals, playful synthesizers, and distorted guitar themes meld together. The colorful soundscape contrasts with the darker lyrics, which revolve around themes such as generational divides, vulnerability, and inner inheritance.
Although Kaleda has been writing songs her entire life, she kept them to herself until recently. Her debut single, ‘Analysis Paralysis’, released earlier in 2025 on the Copenhagen label Konkylie, was met with enthusiasm from listeners, radio stations, and music media alike. After Polite’s concert at SPOT Festival ’25, DR P6 Beat drew comparisons to Big Thief, while Soundvenue called Polite “the future of folk,” referenced Aldous Harding and The Weather Station, and described the music as “impactful folk rock with a hypnotic, almost psychedelic edge and an impressionistic lyric full of cryptic imagery.”
After three singles with airplay, Polite released her debut EP, ‘The Green House Has Been Asking About You’, in September 2025.