Boy & Bear

Formed in Sydney in 2009, Boy & Bear is an Australian quintet led by singer-guitarist Dave Hosking, whose songwriting spans indie folk, alternative rock, and melodic pop. Early releases, including the single Mexican Mavis and the EP With Emperor Antarctica (2010), placed Boy & Bear on Australia’s independent scene, buoyed by national radio support and a run of tours at home and then in the UK and North America. The band followed with Moonfire (2011), recorded in the United States, and Harlequin Dream (2013), made in Sydney, showcasing a taste for tight vocal harmonies, interwoven acoustic and electric guitars, and a supple rhythm section that leans toward both folk and 70s-inspired rock. With Limit of Love (2015), co-produced with Ethan Johns, Boy & Bear favored a more direct, live-focused approach before exploring subtler, more introspective textures on Suck on Light (2019). The self-titled Boy & Bear album, released in 2023, continues this evolution with arrangements that put keyboards, guitars, and vocals at the forefront, confirming the band’s standing on the international venue and festival circuit.