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Interview

Bear Driver

Article written by Paul M - Jun 16, 2010

Bear Driver

Bear Driver are one the few British acts that get me out of the bed in the morning. They’re also undoubtedly the premier exponents of “playfulindiepsychepopfuzz”… I caught up with them recently via email.

SoundsXP: You now live in London, having moved down from Leeds. What do you miss about the latter, other than Tetleys with a creamy head?

Bear Driver: The Brudenell Social Club!

SoundsXP: You started out as a two piece but now number half a dozen. I’ve seen the phrase “musical collective” mentioned. Does this fluidity mean members will be performing outside of Bear Driver too?

Bear Driver: Exactly, most of us play in or have other bands on the go. You'll find them in our myspace top friends thing.

SoundsXP: How would you describe your music?

Bear Driver: Erm playfulindiepsychepopfuzz ??

SoundsXP: Your music uses accordions, glocks, melodicas… Are there any instruments that are not going to be allowed on Bear Driver’s tour bus?

Bear Driver: Saxophone (shudder)

SoundsXP: What had you done to make Tom Robinson exclaim on 6 Music, "I've never heard anyone do that before!"?

Bear Driver: He played one of our tracks from our ep Paws & Claws - on the song Thousand Samurais the live drums fade in half way through over the drum machine and he thought this sounded real strange. I think he said 'it's like the hi-hat has been pulled out from under water!'

SoundsXP: Who are your heroes?

Bear Driver: Musically - Radiohead, Yo La Tengo, Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Smog
Others - Herman Hesse, Joseph Campbell, Tove Jansson

SoundsXP: You recently played the Great Escape. Was that fun?

Bear Driver: Yeah, a lot of fun. Harry got a bit carried away and took out an overhead chandelier so we got to play on a bed of broken glass - wouldn't have it any other way.

SoundsXP: Any other festival appearances lined up for 2010?

Bear Driver: Not at the moment but we'll keep you posted.

SoundsXP: You have a single, Wolves, out in July on Animal Farm. How did you and that label get together?

Bear Driver: They'd seen us play a few times and wanted to do a single so seemed ideal!

SoundsXP: Any news on an album?

Bear Driver: We're writing lots at the moment but I think we'll do another single before we look to do an album.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/thebeardriver