This week, Australian ARIA chart-topping act and indie royalty Boy & Bear return with their newest single and video, “State Of Flight”, available for the first time independently. The band additionally announce their first tour in two years, as they bring their award-winning repertoire to capital cities and regional towns throughout the country in June and July.
Recently celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their ARIA double platinum album, Moonfire, with a monumental sold-out performance at Sydney’s State Theatre, the band fittingly kick-start their next chapter today with an exalted first taste of new music in “State Of Flight”. Anchored to the band’s 70s inspired pop-folk heart, and running central to the track, is a melodic choral chant that echoes back and forth. Lead vocalist Dave Hosking’s unmistakable voice, falsetto at times, cuts through in its immediacy and emotive simplicity, while layers of strummed guitars, lapping beats and flourishes of guitar licks paint a larger picture of the band’s glorious progression.
Dave Hosking from the band says, “The song is really a love letter to the arts, to the joys of being creative. I love making music, and even in the face of considerable challenges these last few years, it’s only further solidified my obsession and genuine love of the creative process.”
Directed by Taylor Ferguson, today’s accompanying video defies laws of gravity and reality, centred around two protagonists in a dreamlike story of freedom and self expression. Filmed in the lush paddock surroundings of a barn in Windsor, NSW, the thrilling clip takes surreal turns as both characters take flight, mirrored by the song’s true harnessing of euphoria and unbridled joy. Recently awarded best director at both Sydney Film Festival, and Flickerfest Film Festival, Ferguson’s vision with production from Good Oil Films fittingly launches “State Of Flight” beyond the 2D record.
Ferguson says of the clip, “‘State of Flight’ captures a true sense of euphoria and bliss. I love the way the track builds to an unusual but compelling high sensation. I knew I had to somehow create a dreamlike world where anything felt possible. So I came up with a story about the uninhibited expression of selfhood and the explosive power of freedom. Making them fly felt like the right thing to do.”
In celebration of the band’s new music, and their double platinum back catalogue of sorely loved hits, Boy & Bear announce a 14-date tour across the country in June and July. The five-piece will bring along chief support act Jack Botts, alongside The Rions and Clews on alternating dates. Kicking off on Friday 3 June, the band head to Margaret River’s The River, before performing to Perth crowds at The Astor on Saturday June 4. Later that week, Boy & Bear play Miami Marketta on the Gold Coast on Thursday June 9, ahead of Brisbane’s Tivoli the following evening, Friday June 10. Sunshine Coast’s NightQuarter hosts the band on Saturday 11 June, before they play Adelaide’s Lion Arts Factory the following week, Saturday June 18.
Beyond the halfway point, on Friday June 24, the band perform at Albury’s Beer Deluxe, before Canberra’s UC Refectory the next night, Saturday June 25. They then travel to Melbourne for a performance at The Forum Theatre on Friday July 1, before Torquay’s Torquay Hotel the next evening, Saturday July 2. On Sunday July 3 the band play to Townsville at a soon to be revealed venue. The next week they perform at Wollongong’s Waves on Friday 8 July, before Newcastle’s Cambridge Hotel on Saturday 9 July. Bringing the tour to a close in their hometown, Sydney fans receive a special finale performance from The Enmore Theatre on Saturday July 16.
Sydney-bred Boy & Bear first rose to prominence in 2009, uploading their track “The Storm” to triple j Unearthed. Two years later, their debut album Moonfire, would go on to reach double platinum ARIA status, peaking at #2 on the ARIA chart, winning five ARIA awards including Album of the Year, and three spots in the triple j Hottest 100. In 2013, their sophomore album Harlequin Dream, would debut at ARIA’s #1 spot and go certified platinum. Their third album, Limit of Love would be their second #1 ARIA chart debut, and see them tour the world multiple times, become Splendour in the Grass festival favourites, perform on Conan O’Brien, and sell out two Sydney Opera House visits. While the band have enjoyed a ten-year career of outstanding accolades and cherished hits, they’ve also continued their reputation as one of the country’s best live acts, performing to upwards of 65,000 Australian fans every year, in addition to regular sold-out international tours. “State Of Flight” marks their first independent release, since their ARIA top 10 charting album, Suck On Light, released in 2019 to wide acclaim.
As one of Australia’s most loved acts today returns with a new burst of sublimity in “State Of Flight”, secure your moment to see it live on tour this June and July.
Check out our last interview with the band, pre covid in 2019 HERE
2022 TOUR DATES HERE
“STATE OF FLIGHT” IS OUT NOW
BOY & BEAR
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