The 2 Bears
{{Short description|British musical duo}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The 2 Bears
| image = The 2 Bears.jpg
| caption = The duo performing, with their
logo projected above
| origin = London, United Kingdom
| genre = {{hlist|Indietronica|house|alternative dance}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = {{hlist|Southern Fried|DFA}}
| website = {{url|the2bears.co.uk}}
| current_members =
- Joe Goddard
- Raf Rundell
}}
The 2 Bears are a British musical duo formed in 2009 composed of Joe Goddard (of electronic band Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell (previously of 1965 Records). The duo produces original material amalgamating various styles including {{nowrap|2-step}}, house and soul and also host a radio show on Ministry of Sound Radio entitled Follow the Bears.{{cite web |url=http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/radio-djs/145/follow-the-bears/ |title=Radio: Follow the Bears |publisher=Ministry of Sound |accessdate=9 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213034832/http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/radio-djs/145/follow-the-bears/ |archive-date=13 February 2011 }} Critics offer various descriptions of The 2 Bears' sound including "pop-hip-house"{{cite web |last=Ottewill |first=Jim |date=3 June 2011 |title=Review: The 2 Bears - Bear Hug EP |website=Resident Advisor |url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=9191 |access-date=19 July 2011}} "liquid-bmore-house-step"{{cite web |last=Pelham |first=Duncan |date=9 March 2011 |title=[insert bear pun here] |url=http://pelski.co.uk/insert-bear-pun-here/ |access-date=19 July 2011 |website=Pelski}} and "rave-garage".Ralph Moore, Mixmag, June 2011. The duo have produced remixes for several established artists including Santigold, Metronomy, Toddla T and the View.{{cite web|last1=Goddard |first1=Joe |last2=Rundell |first2=Raf |url=https://soundcloud.com/the2bears/sets/remixs-25/ |title=The 2 Bears – Remixes by The 2 Bears on SoundCloud – Create, record and share your sounds for free |publisher=Soundcloud.com |date=10 March 2011 |accessdate=9 December 2011}}
History
{{sources|section|date=May 2024}}
Raf Rundell, a former press officer, and Joe Goddard, one fifth of electronic music band Hot Chip, met while working together at the Greco-Roman soundsystem parties. Joe has told how the band originated from the suggestion of a friend who proposed that he, Rundell and Joe Mount (from the band Metronomy) form a band called 'The 3 Bears'. The band ultimately formed as a two piece without Joe Mount.
During their formative studio sessions Rundell and Goddard created the tracks "Mercy Time" and "Be Strong", which went on to appear on their first EP Follow The Bears, released by Southern Fried Records in early 2010. Follow The Bears was supported by a subsequent remix EP featuring contributions from Derrick Carter and Supabeatz. The 2 Bears went on to release a further two EPs on Southern Fried Records, Curious Nature EP in the latter part of 2010 and Bearhug EP in early 2011. Both were accompanied by further remix EPs with contributors including Maxxi Soundsystem and Midland.
The 2 Bears' first complete album Be Strong was released on 29 January 2012 and was preceded by the single "Work" on 2 January. The single was included on the XFM playlist. They also made a mix album, 2 Bears 1 Love which featured Wiley, Toddla T, and remixes from the 2 Bears.{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/watch/the-2-bears-work |title=The 2 Bears | Work |date=7 December 2011 |publisher=Contactmusic.com |access-date=9 December 2011}} Their second LP titled The Night Is Young was released in October 2014 on Southern Fried Records.
Discography
=Albums=
=Remix albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Album details |
|---|
| scope="row" | The Night Is Young (remixed)
|
|
| scope="row" | Bears in Space
|
|
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| EP details |
|---|
| scope="row" | Follow the Bears EP
|
|
| scope="row" | Curious Nature EP
|
|
| scope="row" | Bear Hug EP
|
|
| scope="row" | Lambs Bread and Weepers EP
|
|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" | ||
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Single ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album | ||
|---|---|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK Dance ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK Indie | ||
| 2011
! scope="row" | "Bear Hug" | 187 | 26 | 13
| rowspan="2"| Be Strong |
| 2012
! scope="row" | "Work" | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Work" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 47 on the UK Physical Singles Chart Top 100.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-singles-chart/20120325/1/ |title=Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 25 March 2012 - 31 March 2012 |work=Official Charts Company |accessdate=26 May 2020}}}} | — | — |
| rowspan="2"|2014
! scope="row" | "Angel (Touch Me)" | — | — | —
| rowspan="2"| The Night Is Young |
| scope="row" | "Not This Time"
| — || — || — |
==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.the2bears.co.uk}}
- [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/18/2-bears-goddard-rundell-interview Interview in Observer, 18 December 2011]
{{The 2 Bears}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2 Bears, The}}
Category:English electronic music duos
Category:Musical groups established in 2009
Category:2009 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Electronic music groups from London
Category:British electronic dance music duos