Bears from Labrador Q&A With Dylan Rippon

"Let's just ditch God from politics and schools and civil life - the world would be a better place"

November 6, 2008, 12:38 AM

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At a time when most bands ambition stretches as far as a top 20 single and a fumble with the trust fund spawn of an ageing rock dinosaur, we need a band that dares to look beyond, that dares to reach for the stars. Apparently, Bears from Labrador dare. Altsounds.com caught up with front man Dylan Rippon to ask him a few questions:

Altsounds: 'Wilderness' is a very promising start for your band. How many of those tracks can we expect to see on your debut album, and when do you plan to start recording it?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: We want to do another two EPs and then combine them as an album because we wrote all the material over the summer and it fits together really well - then we'll do a completely new album sometime next year.

Altsounds: I really like the use of Mariachi trumpet on 'Tree' and 'Rearview'. Where has the Mexican influence come from (other than Mexico)?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: Well we never sat down and said - let's do Mariachi. I had been doing some recording with this amazing trumpeter called Gavin Broom who plays in The Heritage Orchestra and I just loved the tone of the trumpet - I'm also a lifelong Bacharach fan - so I asked him to play on the record and that's just the way it came out. "Trees" is partly set in the American Civil War's Battle Of The Wilderness so I suppose a North American flavour is in there somewhere.

Altsounds: Tell us about the rest of Bears From Labrador, how did you all come together?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: I saw Gregg playing in Cheap Hotel and immediately knew I was watching the best drummer in the world. We met up after the show and really hit it off. I put an ad out for a bassist and Rob's reply was the only sane one and we really lucked out because he's awesome, steady and fluid at the same time - just great. I thought about adding someone else maybe another guitarist but the three of us work together so well we just said that's it - power trio ha ha ha.

Altsounds: I am not usually a fan of this question, but I am intrigued by your name. Why Bears From Labrador?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: "A tramping of sea boots was heard in the entry; the door was flung open, and in rolled a wild set of mariners enough. Enveloped in their shaggy watch coats, and with their heads muffled in woollen comforters, all bedarned and ragged, and their beards stiff with icicles, they seemed an eruption of bears from Labrador"

Moby Dick Or The Whale
Herman Melville

Altsounds: In what way has Brunel influenced you?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: He made things that last.

Altsounds: How about Emily Dickinson? Ever thought of writing music go with one of her poems?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: My first serious girlfriend Emma Townshend was a brilliant songwriter and I produced her debut album, the opening track was called 'Better Than Music' in which she sang one of Dickinson's poems over music. It was beautiful - so I've kinda been there already

Altsounds: Musically though, who has inspired you and your sound?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: It's hard to talk about specific artists - I've grown up in this media tsunami and every single sight and sound is washing over me 24 hours a day. The people who inspire me are the ones who try to tell the truth of the moment, the ones who take risks. As far as the band goes there's no doubt that bands like The Who, The Raconteurs, Neil Young, and Nick Cave are big influences more from the viewpoint of attitude because you can never sound like those people right?

Altsounds: I hear both Morrissey and Nick Cave have checked you out live. Were you aware at the time, and if so did you feel any added pressure having such musical legends in attendance?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: Come off it - I would know if Nick Cave had come to one of our gigs - everyone in the audience would have turned round - you must be thinking of someone else.

Altsounds: Are you putting your production work on hold for a while now whilst you concentrate on Bears From Labrador?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: No way - I gotta pay the rent

Altsounds: How about your label Hero Rhymes With Zero, is that just a vehicle to get Bears From Labrador's music out there, or is it something you plan to grow?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: Hero Rhymes With Zero is definitely something we plan to grow - Hero's first single was actually "New York" by Cheap Hotel and we learned a lot doing that. It's great having a label no matter how small - you always know you've got some outlet for your creativity.

Altsounds: Anything you wanna plug or promote?
Bears from Labrador [Dylan Rippon]: Let's just ditch God from politics and schools and civil life - the world would be a better place.

The Bears from Labrador "Wilderness" EP is released by the band's own label "Hero Rhymes With Zero" on 10th November 2008 and will be available on CD format and from iTunes USA and iTunes UK .

http://www.myspace.com/bearsfromlabrador

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