Regina Band Interview Series: Bears In Hazenmore
Some quirky dudes with some sick tunes
Frank, Rempel, and Lam help design the Carillon. / Michael Chmielewski
Greetings, my friends! In this week’s edition of The Regina Band Interview Series, I introduce to you Ambient-Alternative Folk band Bears In Hazenmore. These beauties recently released their self-titled EP this past August and made it into the top 10 in the CBC’s “Rock Your Campus” competition. Atta be champs!
Bears In Hazenmore is five-strong with band members Brady Frank (vocals, keys, guitar), Dana Rempel (bass, saxophone), Dalton Lam (trumpet), Darnell Stewart (guitar), and Tanner Wilhelm-Hale (drums).
Graciously, Frank, Rempel, and Lam took the time out of their busy schedules to sit down for an interview with me. Enjoy the fun below!
What first got you interested in music?
Brady Frank: School and music programs certainly helped, but I also learned guitar just from the Internet.
Dana Rempel: Simple Plan.
Dalton Lam: I was forced into playing piano by my mom.
How did your band get into the music industry?
BF: We just played around Swift Current a lot…and then also just asking to play places in Regina.
What are your future goals as a band?
BF: We’re hopefully going to do some festivals and tours coming up. We might be going to Canadian Music Week in Toronto in May, doing a Western Canadian tour sometime over summer, hopefully releasing another EP, and then hopefully releasing a full-length sometime in about a year.
What is the meaning of life?
BF: Dalton’s parents own a restaurant in Swift Current, and it’s the best buffet I’ve ever had in my entire life.
DR: 42
DL: Doors.
What is your definition of true love?
DR: I think true love is most often found between someone and a dog or a sandwich.
DL: Brady’s music.
Do you prefer reading fiction or non-fiction books?
BF: Non-fiction.
DL: I have two textbooks…so, non-fiction.
Which superhero do you look up to the most?
BF: Batman.
DR Christopher Nolan’s Batman.
If you could eliminate one of the 10 commandments, which one would you eliminate?
DR: I think maybe the one about coveting your neighbor’s ass.
What are your greatest failures?
DR: This band.
What are your greatest successes?
BF: People coming up to you that you don’t even know that say your music has impacted them.
DR: The recording.
Who are your favourite sports teams?
BF: I’m a big Blue Jays fan.
DR: The Hartford Whalers.
DL: I fell asleep at the Rider game.
What musicians inspire you the most?
BF: Justin Vernon.
DR: Sigur Rós, Hollerado.
DL: Freddie Hubbard.
Would you like your life to end with a fairy tale or tragic ending?
BF: Tragic.
DR: Quick and painless.
Do you like cats?
BF: I love cats.
DR: Fuck cats, man.
DL: Hate cats.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
BF: I cannot stand it when people eat loudly.
Why is the sky blue?
DL: Isn’t it because, like, the sun gives off a bunch of colours and something happens in the ozone layer that turns the sky blue?
What physical aspects of yourself are you most proud of?
BF: We maintain the same haircut pretty well. All 3 of us.
DR: I think when I cut my nails, I do a really good job.
DL: Nothing.
Which historical event do you wish never happened?
BF: Richie Bellis’ death
DR: The day the music died.
DL: The Big Bang.
There you have it folks! Although I still have no idea what “Bears In Hazenmore” means (I probably should’ve asked), these guys lay down some sweet tunes and have the fun, quirky personalities to go along with it. If you want to see them in action, check out their show at O’Hanlon’s on Feb. 6!
