Ones to Watch in 2011 – Boy & Bear

Music — By Andrew Evans on 04/01/11

Having played some breathtaking support slots while touring with both Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons, it would be fair to say that many more will soon be taking Boy & Bear – an Australian five-piece formed back in 2009 – to their collective folk hearts.

They are of course a trifle more indie than either Marling or The Sons and at times resemble Local Natives, if they were fronted by Noah and the Whale’s Charlie Fink.  Mexican Mavis features a nagging guitar line that swells into a summery, West Coast chorus, while the spiky Rabbit Song rollocks along, propelled some rather pretty whooooing from lead singer Dave Hosking and his band of merry men.

Their rather terrific, recently-released debut EP With Emperor Antarctica showcases a group far beyond their years and suggests that you may just have another LP to soon be stashing away in the dusty folk section.

They say: “We love the idea of not being predictable. We want to surprise people with our songs, keep them interesting whilst still keeping to the chugging melodic vibe we have love so much.”

We say: Finally – folk-rock with a smidgen of sex appeal. Fleet Foxes on viagra if you will.

Download:

Boy & Bear – Mexican Mavis (right click)