After opening for Daughter at the Majestic last September, Bear’s Den urgently booked another Madison gig. This time, the group from London will headline a night of beautiful music at The Frequency. For only ten dollars, you’ll be within a touching view of the furriest folk piece around. The stagepresent furriness is threefold gold, so the tickets will be sold — I am told.
I had the pleasure of speaking with a real live Brit on the telephone the other day. It was like hearing George Fenton whisper-narrating “Planet Earth: Ocean Deep” directly in my ear. It was soothing. It was heartwarming. It was Andrew Davie, the voice and guitar of Bear’s Den.
How was SXSW?
“Absolutely amazing! We played music in a church — it was a bit of a dream — and got to spend with the Apache Relay guys. Those guys are brilliant!”
A church… that sounds like a holy different kind of experience. If you could play a concert anywhere at all, where would it be?
“We love playing in churches! Given our style, our harmonies, it just suits the environment. Maybe a church on Saturn? In Liverpool, we played at an Anglican Church supporting Daughter. Anything more than that, I’d pass out from awe.”
The Madison crowd got to see Bear’s Den open for Daughter in September. How will this upcoming concert differ from the last?
“Well, this is our first headline tour in the U.S. Essentially, we just have more expectations. When you’re a supporting act, you have fun. When it’s your own show, there’s no space to hide. You do your thing and you go for it. People know the songs, you can do a few cover songs, and it’s a nice feeling to play after five or six songs. That’s when we get comfortable.”
How would you describe your music to your great-great-grandmother?
“I’d be delicate with her. I wouldn’t tell her about electric guitars.”
You’re thinking about this all wrong. Let’s say she’s a young, hip woman.
“I’d tell her we tell stories with minimal instrumentation… It’s folk instrumentation… Or perhaps that we’ve all got beards.”
How would you describe your music to someone born in 2050?
“It’s swag. Obscene amounts of swag with a pioneering use of banjos and beard moisturizer.”
I’m gathering that the title, Bear’s Den, and your beard are directly related. Am I correct?
“No. The name came from something like ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’ Our stories are from childhood and adulthood, growing up, and the relationships you have with friends and family as you develop into an adult. The beards are a byproduct of tour life!”
A great sense of humor and a voice like melted dark chocolate make up Andrew Davie, one-third of the band you’ll be seeing on Saturday. Joey Haynes (vocals, banjo) and Kevin Jones (vocals, drums) fill the harmony, physical profile, and add dimensions of nostalgia to a sound already bulging with emotion. And yes, they use beard moisturizer, too.