Interview with Brown Bear and the Bandits
· How long have you been performing as a band?
We have been together and gigging for just over 18 months.
· Last year you released your debut EP Truth Or Dare, you must be happy with how successful it was?
Yeah it was great. Went down really well, sold well at gigs and HMV in Glasgow & Inverness released it which was a really big step for the band. Can’t really complain.
· Did you have any musical influences when writing the Truth Or Dare EP?
Not particularly. We released the EP a good 9 months after starting so we put on songs that had been going down well live. They were all written separately and with no specific influence from other musicians or songs. As a writer I have always tried to not get in a set mind frame or listen to loads of just a few artist as I feel you are making it more likely to recreate what your hearing that way.
· Have you set a date for your first album to be released?
I think we had initially, optimistically, hoped for May this year but in reality I think it will be October. We have started work already though. The first single Olive Tree is out on ITunes on Monday 25th February.
· Have you got any plans for touring the album?
Yeah I would love to really get back to gigging like we did at the start and doing loads. It will all be easier to predict closer to the release. We have a mini Co-Headline tour in April with Miniature Dinosaurs.
April 25th – Inverness- Hootenanny’s
April 26th- Glasgow- King Tuts
April27th- Dunfermline- PJ Malloys
April 28th- Edinburgh- Electric Circus
· What do you think of the Scottish music scene?
Think it’s really starting to grow. A lot of great acts and even better they are from all over. It’s not just Glasgow bands dominating. Ayrshire has its own scene going as does Inverness and Aberdeen. There was a kind of boom in the 80’s of Scottish acts breaking through, maybe that’s coming back round? I’m pleased to be part of a time full of such talent and potential. I think a lot of people want something to complain about and point out cliques but why not just look out for each other, see the bigger picture and make Scotland a go to point for the music/recording industry rather than the feeling that the only real way to make it is to head to London.
· Have you got any festivals lined-up for this summer?
Hopefully. We had a really good run with them last year. Its early days yet though as most festivals have just locked up their major acts. I’d like to get back to T in the Park & Wickerman and maybe a few we didn’t do last year or even outwith the country. We have one confirmed in May in Germany which should be a great experience.
Brown Bear and the Bandits new single Olive Tree
· How long have you been performing as a band?
We have been together and gigging for just over 18 months.
· Last year you released your debut EP Truth Or Dare, you must be happy with how successful it was?
Yeah it was great. Went down really well, sold well at gigs and HMV in Glasgow & Inverness released it which was a really big step for the band. Can’t really complain.
· Did you have any musical influences when writing the Truth Or Dare EP?
Not particularly. We released the EP a good 9 months after starting so we put on songs that had been going down well live. They were all written separately and with no specific influence from other musicians or songs. As a writer I have always tried to not get in a set mind frame or listen to loads of just a few artist as I feel you are making it more likely to recreate what your hearing that way.
· Have you set a date for your first album to be released?
I think we had initially, optimistically, hoped for May this year but in reality I think it will be October. We have started work already though. The first single Olive Tree is out on ITunes on Monday 25th February.
· Have you got any plans for touring the album?
Yeah I would love to really get back to gigging like we did at the start and doing loads. It will all be easier to predict closer to the release. We have a mini Co-Headline tour in April with Miniature Dinosaurs.
April 25th – Inverness- Hootenanny’s
April 26th- Glasgow- King Tuts
April27th- Dunfermline- PJ Malloys
April 28th- Edinburgh- Electric Circus
· What do you think of the Scottish music scene?
Think it’s really starting to grow. A lot of great acts and even better they are from all over. It’s not just Glasgow bands dominating. Ayrshire has its own scene going as does Inverness and Aberdeen. There was a kind of boom in the 80’s of Scottish acts breaking through, maybe that’s coming back round? I’m pleased to be part of a time full of such talent and potential. I think a lot of people want something to complain about and point out cliques but why not just look out for each other, see the bigger picture and make Scotland a go to point for the music/recording industry rather than the feeling that the only real way to make it is to head to London.
· Have you got any festivals lined-up for this summer?
Hopefully. We had a really good run with them last year. Its early days yet though as most festivals have just locked up their major acts. I’d like to get back to T in the Park & Wickerman and maybe a few we didn’t do last year or even outwith the country. We have one confirmed in May in Germany which should be a great experience.
Brown Bear and the Bandits new single Olive Tree