Bear Colony

We Jump Through Hurdles / We Came Here to Die
No band on the Plantation roster embraces the Esperanza ethos of “hope” with more open arms than their newest addition Bear Colony. If the listener follows the lyrics closely throughout the debut “We Came Here to Die”. It is apparent that underlying themes of coping and healing connect each of the songs into a unified composition. The unfortunate inspiration behind this composition came from primary songwriter Vince Griffin--s troubled experi- ences of 2005. Misdiagnosed with Crohns Disease, Vince was bedridden for several months, and began writing the songs in his bedroom as an outlet. The frightening uncertainty surrounding the condition spurred Vince to channel his frustrations into creativity, and the songs that comprise the debut full-length are a chronicle of the fears endured. Leaning on his musician friends around him, Vince began sharing the early Bear Colony material over the internet and the collaborative process began. The musical foundation which he wrote in the bedroom was slowly built upon as multiple players began adding parts and joining the fold. The core nucleus of the group became Vince, Brooks Tipton (Unwed Sailor), Adam Putman, Matthew Putman (ex-Lovedrug, Unwed Sailor, Snailhuntr), Matthew Depper (ex-Lovedrug, Unwed Sailor, Snailhuntr), Chase Pagan (Of Militia Group) and Kyle Smith. What began as a fun tape swap among friends to escape from the mundane quickly became a true band of seven members, all bringing their own contribution to the creative collective table. The band has since found a solid touring line-up that includes: Patrick Ryan, Andy Haldeman, Brooks Tipton and Dave Huff. Since the release of "We Came Here to Die" the band has toured the likes of the Midwest and East Coast playing with bands ranging from Lovedrug to Brandston. They have the very definition of a colony in this new circle of artistic friends: “ a group of organisms of the same kind living or growing in close associa- tion.” A Bear Colony is born.
Praise for 2007's "We Came Here To Die":
"Without Griffin's dramatic back story, Bear Colony's We Came Here to Die is still a compelling and engaging collection of songs created at the crossroads of emo and electronica, but considering its difficult birth, the album becomes a statement of the artist's ability to transcend physical challenges and the overwhelmingly redemptive nature of music itself."
-Amplifier Magazine
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In the way Bear Colony plays tug of war between restraint and free-for-all, We Came Here to Die recalls an electro-fied Broken Social Scene. It's in the tension between these two points of view -- where the urge to let it all go meets the understanding that it can't -- that Griffin nestles his voice. It's a voice frustrated by fate (knowing about his disease surely colors this fact, but, hey, so would knowing the songwriter suffered a breakup), but Griffin never seems defeated. On the contrary, We Came Here to Die's songs alternately reach out, as with the delicate yet forceful "Suffocation," or they struggle for a kind of understanding and peace ("I'm Not Brave," "The Boy With Broken Arms"). Griffin's fight is a good one; he comes out sounding like someone who's got a lot to lose and everything to gain -- he later learned that he was wrongly diagnosed. His band responds with appropriate urgency and a promise: with their melodies, beats and beeps, they'll get him where he needs to go. That kind of backup doesn't come around often, and Bear Colony operates like they know it.
Spin.com artist of the day by KAITLIN FONTANA
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"Esperanza Plantation's new addition, Bear Colony, is the more vocal cousin to Unwed Sailor. Their debut album,"We Came Here to Die," is fresh and has some of the cutest cover art I've ever seen. As for the sound, think electronic beats, multiple layers and a solid pop sensibility-all the makings of your next favorite indie band."
--Jackson Free Press. 3/29/07 by Andi Agnew
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“Upcoming Bands of 2007 Worth Taking Notice Of”
"Pure excellence."
--Brad Pierce-UALR Forum
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"This is one of those albums that you could drive to all day around town and feel like you went around the world and passed through all four seasons. Somehow this album has achieved being timeless while being very modern. "We came here to die" is one of the most enchanting albums you could ever own. Start to finish it is complete."
--Arkansas Free Press Review
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"We Came Here To Die is an electronic gem, featuring plenty of great beats and distortions. Softer electronica music is quickly becoming a popular genre and Bear Colony have clawed their way to the top."
--Absolutepunk.net review by Utman8
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"Bear Colony seamlessly blends together more traditional instruments with new, more experimental ones. The highlight track, fittingly titled “Hospital Rooms Aren’t for Lovers”, spotlights both the creativity of the band and Vince’s surprisingly advanced vocals. I can easily see either of the below tracks on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, but that’s much more of a compliment than an insult (see: Jim Noir and Metric on the latest Grey’s soundtrack). With accessible rhythms and heartfelt lyrics to boot, you haven’t seen the last of Bear Colony."
--All Things Go review by Zack Friendly
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Thumbs Up! Go buy this shit! These are some sweet tunes. I could easily see myself with a nice woman, walking between the trees around some kind of forest or something. Good feelings—therefore I like it.
-Vice Magazine by HAYDER DAFFAR
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"Bear Colony are in a Genre all their own."
--Bolachas Gratis review
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"Bear Colony, like the Main Drag before them, sound like emo for the modern age. On "Sharks," shades of Sunny Day Real Estate mesh with electronic textures reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkin's Adore. It's both bracing and pretty: an anthem for the unbearably lonely."
--The Rawking Refuses To Stop review by Rob Gordon
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Bear Colony Downloads
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