It’s been nearly 2 years since singer/songwriter/guitarist Dylan Rau and guitarist Ted Feldman graduated from Wesleyan College with degrees in film and 3 years since their first uproar in a Chelsea rehearsal space with fellow band-mates drummer TJ Orscher and bassist Val Loper. This is indeed quite the natural fit with Cantora and their forward thinking, indie-pop sound aesthetic featuring giants such as MGMT, the talented Francis and the Lights and uprising starlets Savoir Adore.

It is certainly prime time to expose the fresh Bear Hands sound to the masses. “What A Drag” is their first recording using a keyboard, lending the band’s already addictive rhythm section an even more New Order-esque sound. With it’s induced tribal stomping drum beat, reverb heavy guitars, driving bass and Dylan’s soulful falsetto drop-ins, “What A Drag” contains one of the strongest hooks that you’ll be hard pressed to shake out of your head. Cale Parks takes it up a notch with his oh ‘so deep’ remix. And don’t skip the b-side “Can’t Stick Em” which contains another rigorous chunky bassline groove –booty call music for the indie-rock set!

It is with great confidence all around that “What A Drag” is that special tune that’s going to get these lads out of the van and into the tour bus, falling in love, and quitting their day jobs. However, since they all agree that “There’s a sense of urgency living in NYC and a need to create”, this foursome don’t have plans to move anytime soon. Even as they’re finishing up their debut full length album, Bear Hands will be promoting “What A Drag” along with songs from their previously self released debut, “The Golden EP” and boasting new material across the US nationwide this February leading up through SXSW.

BEAR HANDS TOUR DATES

02/16 – The Studio at Webster Hall – New York, NY
02/17 –  Brillobox – Pittsburgh, PA
02/18 – Southgate House Parlor – Newport, KY
02/19 – The Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO
02/20 – Conservatory – Oklahoma City
02/23 – Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
02/24 – The Loft- UCSD – La Jolla, CA
02/26 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA
02/27 – Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
03/01 – Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
03/02 – Neumo’s Crystal Ball Reading – Seattle, WA
03/03 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
03/05 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
03/06 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO
03/07 – Jackpot Saloon – Lawrence, KS
03/08 – The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
03/09 – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN
03/1 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
03/12 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
03/15 – The Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO