Polara was an alternative rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1994 by Ed Ackerson. The group released their self-titled debut album in 1995, which gained critical acclaim and led to a bidding war among major labels. They signed with Interscope Records for their second album, C'est La Vie, in 1997. Notable songs include "Millepore of Florida" (1994) and "Monongahela" (1995). Polara's third album, Formless/Functional was released in 1998 but received little support from their label due to corporate mergers. The band went on hiatus after this release. Ed Ackerson died on October 4, 2019, from pancreatic cancer. In tribute, a 30-song tribute album, Closer to Heaven: A Tribute to Ed Ackerson, was released in 2020, featuring interpretations of Polara's songs by various artists.
