By CHERIE DONNELLAN
A musical journey from the southern Sun to the flight of an arrow awaits on Boy and Bear’s latest album, according to Jon Hart.
The band’s banjo, mandolin and keyboard player creating Harlequin Dream gave him more satisfaction than ARIA-asward-winning debut almum Moonfire.
“It has a classic pop feel; it has awesome choruses and cool instrumentation,” Hart told the Independent.
The indie folk-rock band from Sydney will play Geelong’s Wool Exchange on 1 November.
Hart said the title track from the new album was one of the first songs Boy and Bear recorded last October.
The band was searching for a “new direction” when it toyed with Harlequin Dream’s arrangements but it “never sounded quite right”, Hart said.
Then came the introduction of a saxophone solo and experimentation with string instruments and “synth elements”.
The resultant sound clicked and the song “survived to make the album”, Hart joked.
Opening track Southern Sun had become a favourite for Triple J disc jockeys since the album’s release in August.
The song was also an “old favourite” for Hart.
“It had a good feeling when we were recording it,” he said.
“We had real strings in the track, rather than faking them [digitally].”
Hart was quick to nominate Back Down the Black as a track he “loved”.
“I love its long chorus, the lyrics and the melody. I can’t explain [my love] – it’s just so easy to relate to.”
But Back Down the Black and others including End of the Line were songs that took time to perfect before playing live.
Hart hoped the band’s intensive tour preparations would prepare it for playing to the Geelong audience.
“I’m not going to give too much away but we’re going to keep the arrangements interesting for people who’ve seen us play before and heard our new album.”
Hart had some advice for fans yet to experience Harlequin Dream.
“Listen to it before you come to the show so you can see the arrangements come to life.”
