The cover of Bear Cub’s CD (which was limited to very few copies) depicts a lone girl extending a hand to a dead tree with a broken piece of string held between her fingers. Attached by a thread to the top of the tree is a cold blue balloon with a bearded forlorn face, anxiously looking back at the girl, apparently dismayed by its circumstances. It’s a painting that matches the music’s character well; the bareness of a dead wilderness meeting the melancholy of losing something cherished, then rearranging yourself to find new happiness. Bear Cub cater to a niche that anyone can identify with, but do so in a way that’s unique to them.
At Mercy Lounge this past Monday, Bear Cub played a short set as part of BMI’s weekly 8 off 8th Showcase. It’s fair to say they brought in more people than most bands did for the evening, and played to an adoring crowd to the best of their ability. With banjos and mandolins peeking through a mix of beautiful lyrics and harmonies, the band displayed why they’re on the up and coming in Nashville’s indie music scene. Their songwriting contains a quality similar to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors LP, but with a modern twist that’s fitting for pop radio. Songs like “The Jinx” are destined to find a place in your heart and will keep you humming for days on end. However, since their set was so short, the audience only got a mere taste of what they’re capable of. The aforementioned song is available now on iTunes, and due to popular demand, a 4 song EP is available totally for free here courtesy of NoiseTrade.
These guys have a great time playing great music, and anyone who witnessed their set on Monday can testify. It was fun and their musicianship translates to the stage wonderfully, perfect for a semi-sober evening with good company. Be sure to watch the music video for “The Jinx” below!
