You once said that the start of the band was like honeymoon. After honeymoon often comes routine…
T: … and then divorce! (laughs)
Hopefully not. In which phase are you right now?
T: Second honeymoon.
V: Yeah, second honeymoon. We are starting a new chapter. We signed a more long term record deal and we have a new focus.
What are you doing if you are not on tour or producing new songs?
V: I like to ride my bike.
T: I do some post-production work. And we hang out with friends or cook.
And what kind of food do you cook?
V: I’m not the best cook in the world, my girlfriend does a lot of it. I like making elaborate salads with fruits and nuts and home made dressings and I really like roasting vegetables.
T: I just put cheese on things.
V: He makes shredded chicken, he is a good chicken cook.
What do the words hope and passion mean to you?
T: That sounds paradisiacal. I’m imagining a verdant garden and sunshine.
V: Sounds like a relationship to me.
T: Yeah, a healthy, romantic relationship.
V: Young love.
T: Right. Wild sex.
V and T: Just a lot of sex.
BEAR HANDS – Distraction
01. Moment of Silence
02. Giants
03. Agora
04. Bone Digger
05. Vile Iowa
06. Bad Friend
07. The Bug
08. Peacekeeper
09. Sleeping on the Floor
10. Party Hats
11. Thought Wrong
Intense relationships (that didn’t work out so well) also were an inspiration for new songs like the honest Thought Wrong or Vile Iowa, which proves that BEAR HANDS have mastered thoughtful ballads as well as powerful hooks like in the self-ironic Agora: ‘You like to hang out but I don’t / I don’t leave the house ’cause I can’t / I’ve been taking these pills but still / Got a couple of trails that I couldn’t shake’. Despite all those failing romances, effusive feelings have not gone sour on BEAR HANDS. I know you love me, I am loving you more repeats Dylan Rau in Giants and it is impossible to escape the bass-line and the drum that make the single one of the best songs of the album. Creative changes in tempo in genre – ranging from punk rock to pop – are the trademark of Distraction and the tracks will come along nicely at the live shows BEAR HANDS will play this summer.
There are uptempo numbers like Peacekeeper as well as songs in which bass and drums are more restrained like the catchy Bone Digger with its cheerful melody. The wonderful Moment of Silence starts quiet and spiritual with Rau singing lyrics like ‘Oh holy man, feed the Volcano. / So, I abandon my call for reign. / No, this is not what the God’s made us for… little sacrificial animals’ almost like a mantra. Synths expand the musical spectrum and while Rau’s voice hugs the bass, the drums start out of nowhere and the song ends in a thrilling final.
BEAR HANDS‘ music is a perfect mix of irony and seriousness – it is light but edgy and should not be missing at your summer road trip or the garden party with old friends.
NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION presents the upcoming three German shows of the band. And we’re giving away 2×2 tickets for these gigs. Just write us a mail to win@nbhap.com with the subject ‘Bear Hands’ and the city of your choice. Good Luck!
19.08.2014 – Berlin, Privatclub
20.08.2014 – Hamburg, Prinzenbar
21.08.2014 – Cologne, Blue Shell
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