“God, lucky you got the nicer one of us after having to speak to Dave (Hosking, the band’s frontman) last time!” Tim Hart, Boy & Bear’s drummer, laughs.
Undoubtedly one of Australia’s most loved bands, Boy & Bear have an exciting year ahead. After releasing their second album in August last year, 2014 will bring a European tour, followed by a stint in the US and Canada before flying straight into a month and a half of regional touring around Australia, then back to America in July for the Sasquatch! festival.
Whew. Exhausted yet?
“It’s going to be…interesting,” Hart says, “but I think it’s all about staying healthy mentally and physically, really!”
“We’ve never played shows in Canada before, so obviously we’re really excited for that, and I’ve got a whole bunch of friends in London who I can’t wait to see. I’ve got to be honest – with things like this, we really have to pinch ourselves a bit. We feel pretty fortunate.”
A 30-date Australian tour plus preceding North American and European tours would be pretty taxing on any musician. It seems like a surefire recipe for disaster to have a sibling with you, as Hart does with brother Jon, who plays mandolin, banjo, and keys for the band.
“It’s pretty good actually. We get on pretty well, but on tour we do really stay out of each other’s way. We do occasionally share a room, which is quite good – I mean, we grew up doing that. Him and I are the ones up at 6am out and about while the others are sleeping, actually.”
Genuinely humbled and modest, Hart knows that a tough tour life pays off.
“I think for us, from the very start of the band, it’s been really important to tour regionally”“I think we’ve just realised we’re onto a really good thing, and we’ve just got to make it work whatever way we can. I mean, the biggest marker of people liking our album is that they keep coming to shows, and the support we’ve had is incredible.”
Playing South By Southwest (SXSW) for the second time in four years, it seems the quintet really are making this good thing work – but as the world’s biggest interactive music convention, it’s not always an easy run.
“Look, I’m not massively excited about SXSW. It’s pretty hectic! If we could change anything from last time we played it? Drink a little bit less, sleep a little bit more. I mean, of course it’ll be fun, but it’s just so crazy.”
“Apparently there are 1900 bands on the lineup? I haven’t even heard of 1900 bands!” he laughs.
The support for the Sydney band, however, isn’t just overseas. The homegrown guys have such a wide, loyal fan base on home soil who have followed them from the early days. The upcoming 30-date stint around the country, supported by up-and-comer Patrick James, is a big ask – but to Hart, that’s where their roots really lie.
“I think for us, from the very start of the band, it’s been really important to tour regionally,” the drummer says.
“These are the guys that supported us from the start. They’re Triple J listeners, and they don’t get enough range of artists coming to their town, and it’s important for us that we do and continue to do so.”
Apart from selling out national tours and a sophomore record that appeared on many “best album” lists last year, Boy & Bear’s Australian support was further solidified with two songs, ‘Southern Sun’ and ‘Harlequin Dream’, ranking in Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2013.
“We were so stoked! I guess you’re always hoping, just in the back of your mind, that you’ll get into the Hottest 100. I was with all my school friends during the countdown. They were all like ‘You’re not gonna get in, mate!’ – and then we did. So we’re really stoked. It’s pretty special that people still listen to our music and want to vote for it.”
On the topic of music from 2013, what made Hart’s ‘best of’ list?
“There’s a guy called Sam Amidon. He released a record called Bright Sunny South and it was by far my favourite. He’s married to Beth Orton. It’s just a stunning record. Other than that, I think The National’s record as well, that’s great.”
“…trust me, there are so many shows where nobody laughs”If given the chance to cover any song in the world without judgment from anyone, Hart would opt for a very classic choice.
“I would probably do a Peter Gabriel song. Maybe ‘In Your Eyes’. I love that song! But, I’d have to sing the lead vocal for it, Hosko would have to go backup.”
“Who needs him?! I mean, me, as a friend, when I have anxiety issues, but other than that, I don’t need him. Oh, actually, Boy & Bear songs are too tough to sing. He can do those,” he giggles.
With a whole new record of songs added to the repertoire, Boy & Bear’s theatrical live show has definitely changed a little, says Hart.
“Well, it’s a bit longer – which is a good thing!”
“I think you always have to refresh it, which it really did, and it keeps it. When you double the amount of material you have, especially with the support we’ve had from Triple J, it really gives people something to look forward to – for the people watching the set and for us.”
Definitely the comedian of the group, Hart is well-known for his quirky humour and self-deprecating ‘redhead’ comments during shows.
“You have to have a bit of a joke. We’ve got to stay strong!” he laughs.
“You definitely can’t plan onstage jokes, though – that’s where it goes wrong. Whatever happens happens, and trust me, there are so many shows where nobody laughs.”
Apart from ‘ranga’ jokes and the non-stop touring life with Boy & Bear, Hart released his debut solo album Milling The Wind in 2012. The record saw the tender collection from the singer-songwriter receive critical acclaim.
“I’ve almost finished recording a second album, actually. That’ll probably be out early next year. I’m stoked to get the chance to do it again, but it’s 90% recorded and ready to go.”
The burning question is, do Boy & Bear sleep? How can people cram so much into one summer? Hart reassures that the passion for music is what drives it all.
“I’m such a sucker for punishment, but I do love it, and the boys are so supportive of me doing it. Everything is just so much fun.”
Boy & Bear Australian Tour 2014
Tickets and info available from www.boyandbear.com
Sun 13 Apr – West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots, Fremantle Park, Perth WA
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 438 849
Wed 16 Apr – Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay QLD (AA)
Tickets available from www.mackayecc.com.au | 07 4961 9777 | From the Mackay Tix Box Office
Thu 17 Apr – Magnums, Airlie Beach QLD
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au | 136 100 | All Ticketmaster outlets & the venue direct
Sat 19 Apr – Brothers, Cairns QLD (15+ must be accompanied by adult)
Tickets available from www.brotherscairns.com.au | 07 4053 8333 | From the venue direct
Sun 20 Apr – The Venue, Townsville QLD
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek outlets
Tue 22 Apr – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton QLD (AA)
Tickets available from www.pilbeamtheatre.com.au | 07 4924 5600 | From the Pilbeam Theatre Box Office
Wed 23 Apr – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone QLD
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au | 136 100 | All Ticketmaster outlets & the venue direct
Thu 24 Apr – Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg QLD
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets & the venue direct
Sat 26 Apr – Sunshine Coast Function Centre, Caloundra QLD
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix outlets
Sun 27 Apr – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba QLD (AA)
Tickets available from www.empiretheatre.com.au | 1300 655 299 | From the Empire Theatre Box Office
Wed 30 Apr – Divers Tavern, Broome WA
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets & the venue direct
Fri 02 May – Discovery, Darwin NT
Tickets available from www.discoverydarwin.com.au & www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets
Thu 08 May – Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo VIC
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets & the venue direct
Fri 09 May – Regent Cinema, Ballarat VIC (AA)
Tickets available from www.regententertainment.com.au | 03 5330 5555 | From the Regent Cinema Box Office
Sat 10 May – Deakin’s Costa Hall, Geelong VIC (AA)
Tickets available from www.gpac.org.au | 03 5225 1200 | From the GPAC Box Office
Sun 11 May – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool VIC (AA)
Tickets available from www.lighthousetheatre.com.au | 03 5559 4999 | From the Lighthouse Theatre Box Office
Wed 14 May – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore NSW
Tickets available from www.offbeatoperations.com.au
Thu 15 May – C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour NSW
Tickets available from www.offbeatoperations.com.au
Fri 16 May – Panthers, Port Macquarie NSW
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 & (02) 6580 2300 | All Oztix outlets & the venue direct
Sat 17 May – Panthers, Newcastle NSW (AA)S
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix outlets
Sun 18 May – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay NSW
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets
Wed 21 May – The Crow Bar @ CSU (Student Only Event), Wagga NSW
STUDENT ONLY EVENT. Tickets available on campus
Thu 22 May – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra NSW (AA)
Tickets available from www.shoalhavenentertainment.com.au | 1300 788 503 | From the venue Box Office
Fri 23 May – ANU Bar, Canberra ACT
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek outlets
Sat 24 May – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury NSW (AA)
Tickets available from www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/entertainment
Sun 25 May – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton VIC (AA)
Tickets available from www.riverlinksvenues.com.au | 03 5832 9511 | From the Riverlinks Box Office
Wed 28 May – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth NSW
Tickets available from www.wtlc.com.au | 02 6765 7588 | From the venue direct
Thu 29 May – Charles Sturt University, Bathurst NSW
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets
Fri 30 May – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange NSW
Tickets available from www.oesc.com.au | 02 6362 5611 | From the venue direct
Sat 31 May – Dubbo Ex Services Club, Dubbo NSW
Tickets available from www.dubborsl.com.au & www.oztix.com.au | 02 6882 4411 | From the venue direct
