Years active 2012-present | ||
 | ||
Associated acts Mumford & Sons, Cherbourg, Daughter, Smoke Fairies, Ben Howard Website www.bearsdenmusic.co.uk Past members Joey Haynes (2012–2016) Origin London, United Kingdom (2012) Albums Red Earth & Pouring Rain, Islands, Live in Amsterdam, Without/Within, Agape, Pompeii EP, Bear's Den, Elysium Members Andrew Davie, Joey Haynes, Kevin Jones Genres Folk rock, Alternative rock Record labels COMMUNION, Caroline Records Similar Ben Howard, The Staves, Nathaniel Rateliff, Mumford & Sons, Matthew and the Atlas Profiles | ||
Bear's Den are a British folk rock band from London, formed in 2012. The band consists of Andrew Davie (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar) and Kevin Jones (vocals, drums, bass, guitar). Joey Haynes (vocals, banjo, guitar) left the band in early 2016. For their 2016/2017 Tour in Europe and North America Joey is replaced by Dutch artist Christof van der Ven, not as an official member but as session musician.
Contents
- 20122014 Formation early years
- 20142016 Islands
- 2016present Red Earth Pouring Rain
- Extended plays
- Singles
- Promotional singles
- Songs
- References
Bear's Den have released two studio albums: Islands (2014), their second studio album Red Earth & Pouring Rain was released on 22 July 2016. Islands peaked at number forty-nine on the UK Albums Chart. The band has also issued two EPs: Agape (2013) and Without/Within (2013).
The band have been nominated for several music awards throughout their career, with "Above the Clouds of Pompeii" earning the band a nomination for the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 2015. The band received two nominations at the UK Americana Awards in 2016, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "Agape".
2012–2014: Formation & early years
The band's first tour in which the band travelled across the USA in Volkswagen Campervans with Ben Howard, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Staves, was the subject of a 2014 documentary, "Austin to Boston" by James Marcus Haney, which premiered at the 58th BFI London Film Festival.
Since then the band have toured the USA several times, in support of Mumford & Sons and Daughter and as headliners. They also toured Australia supporting Matt Corby in October 2013.
In June 2014 the band received the £2,500 Momentum Deezer Award from the PRS for Music Foundation.
2014–2016: Islands
On 20 October 2014, the band released their debut album Islands on Communion Records, the label founded in 2006 by Bear's Den member Kevin Jones with Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and producer Ian Grimble.
The album spent 10 weeks in the UK Official Charts, peaking at No. 49. Islands appears at no. 7 in the first official UK Americana Chart, and at no. 9 in the top selling Americana albums of 2015.
In March 2015 their song "Above the Clouds of Pompeii" was nominated for the Ivor Novello award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically".
In October 2015 Islands was re-released as a deluxe edition featuring an extra CD of live tracks.
In 2015 the band sold out their extensive UK, Europe and US tours, including London's Roundhouse. They performed at international festivals including Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury Festival, Lollapalooza, Citadel, Somersault, NOS Alive, BBK, Squamish, Pukkelpop, Lowlands, Bonnaroo and Dockville.
On 4 February 2016, Joey Haynes announced via the band's Facebook that he was leaving the band to spend more time with family and friends.
Bear's Den's first show as a duo was a surprise set at Communion's club night at Notting Hill Arts Club on 3 April 2016. A short tour of European venues followed.
On 14 October 2016, just under 2 years since release date, Islands was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) , in recognition of 60,000 sales.
2016–present: Red Earth & Pouring Rain
On 4 April 2016, the band released a trailer in anticipation of their new album. Red Earth & Pouring Rain was released on 22 July. They also announced a tour of Europe for Autumn 2016, including their biggest headline show to date at Brixton Academy.
Extended plays
Singles
Promotional singles
Songs
Above the Clouds of PompeiiLive in Amsterdam · 2014
AgapeLive in Amsterdam · 2014
Dew on the VineRed Earth & Pouring Rain · 2016