DeKALB | From a one-man dorm room project to getting back at a romantic competitor, Bear Hands has grown into a four-man tour-de-force in the indie world. Bear Hands, made up of Dylan Rau, bassist Val Loper, Ted Feldman on guitar, and drummer TJ Orscher, has opened for indie greats such as MGMT and Vampire Weekend, and on July 8, they made their way to DeKalb. The Northern Star caught up with Ted Feldman before the show.

How long has Bear Hands been together, and how did you guys meet?

A little less than five years; it will be five inIf you missed Bear Hands this time around August. I met Dylan, our singer, when we went to college together. We met working on a student film. He knew the other guys growing up in Connecticut. When I was home in New York for the summer, he was there also, and he got us all together in a practice space.

Most of you guys come from a hardcore/punk background, how does that influence your music?

I think we all enjoy a rowdy live performance, and a lot of something that has been part of this is denying that background, or not denying the background, but trying to do something different.

You’ve been compared to Modest Mouse and MGMT, do comparisons like these flatter you, or are you trying to break away from them?

You know, we like those bands, so it’s not the worst thing, but I guess it’s too bad that we’re sort of pigeon-holed into that box sometimes. Yeah, I would love it if people would be like, “There’s never been anything like this, they’re the greatest thing ever.” As far as comparisons go though, it could be way worse.

You guys released the Golden EP, and the Burning Bush Supper Club came out last November. What’s next for you guys?

We’re writing a bunch of new songs and we’re trying to get into the studio by the end of the year to record our next LP.

You’ve released your last to albums on Cantora Records. Are you officially signed with them? Who will be releasing your next record?

Um. Not sure! We’re not signing with anyone, we don’t know who we’re going to be out with.

What’s been your favorite experience performing.

I guess when we play Leeds Festival in the U.K. a couple years ago, we played a show for a few thousand people. That was a really wild experience that was unexpected.

What’s it like for you guys on tour?

It’s a lot of goofing around, a lot of the same jokes over and over. It’s a lot of crappy food and, I don’t know, a lot of weed smoking. Yeah, it’s very repetitive.

You guys have made a name for yourselves opening for bands like Vampire Weekend, MGMT and Passion Pit, but if you could book your dream show, what band would you play with?

That’s tough. I guess Outkast, Animal Collective, Here We Go Magic and us. That would be great. That would be really fun.

 

If you missed Bear Hands this time around, they will be back in Illinois, playing in Champaign, on September 22. Also, you can listen to songs from their 2010 release, Burning Bush Supper Club, online at bearhandsband.com.