Bear's Tapestry — 30 October 2019 on Rocket Shop Radio Hour

Bear Borges, of Bear’s Tapestry, joined host Tom Proctor on ‘Rocket Shop‘, Big Heavy World’s weekly local Vermont music radio hour on 105.9FM The Radiator. Catch up with them at facebook.com/bearstapestry and at their show:

Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:00pm at Sidebar, Winooski.

On Wednesday, October 30, Bear’s Tapestry delivered a minimalist performance at Big Heavy World. Bear Borges, Bear’s Tapestry’s lead vocalist and guitarist, strummed and sang for host Tom Proctor and crew. With the rest of the band absent, Bear had the opportunity to showcase his abilities as a solo artist, and demonstrated his phenomenal ability.

Bear opened with the original song, “Flowers.” Bear’s Tapestry usual indie-rock took on an Americana when Bear played. His provocative and poetic lyrics, paired with gravely vocals and an acoustic guitar, conjured regular allusions to Bob Dylan. Makes sense, as Bear’s Tapestry compare themselves to indie-rock and indie-folk groups like The Dead Shakers, Blake Mills, Fleet Foxes, Iron and Wine, Clever Girls, and Hiss Golden Messenger. The band combines “the vulnerable, honest lyricism of folk, with the roller-coaster transitions of contemporary indie-rock and nuanced rhythms of jazz.”

Bear pens most lyrics, and prides himself on their messages which challenge listener’s to find a deeper understanding. Many songs invite listener’s into emotional narratives, drawing listeners into moments of personal introspection.

The songs are equally introspective for Bear himself. He tends to write from experience, and draws heavily upon moments of vulnerability. When asked how he feels to invite audiences into his vulnerable space, he says, “It’s best if I close my eyes and pretend it’s just me.”

That said, when there’s a band behind you, those same emotions can empower you, says Bear. Anger becomes a force, especially when the drums hit, the guitar roars, and floor shakes.

Bear didn’t have the chance for such explosive emotional output this night, but if you find the full Bear’s Tapestry on stage around Burlington, you might hear something guttural.

Bear’s second song, “Singing the Blues,” continued the evening’s emotional, fireside tones. Bear did note, before launching into song, that “Singing the Blues” is not, in fact, a blues song.

Bear started exploring music when he was ten, picking up a guitar and strumming away for five years before his found his first muse. Between his mid to late teens he began writing, and soon after found his first band, which experienced surprising success (as far as high school bands are concerned). Like many young musicians, musical creation served as a form of catharsis: a medium for emotional exploration.

This remains true to some extent, though Bear now finds inspiration in a wider array of moments, ideas, and things. Musical themes, other artists, the range of his own voice, and just the ways in which “life happens” have all served as inspiration for one song or another.

The formation of Bear’s Tapestry came about later in Bear’s life, after he moved to Burlington. Upon moving into Burlington’s tightknit music community, Bear met a friend who got him connected with producer Charlie Hill. Bear was hoping to put a few songs together, but needed a band. Charlie and Bear discussed hiring a band, but Bear ultimately decided on finding the members himself, and so the hunt began. Bear quickly found bassist Dan Kruglak through a connection of Charlie’s, and then began scouring open mics across Burlington until the line-up of Bear Borges, Dan Kruglak, Ian Steinberg, Andy Kareckas, and Jackie Buttolph was finalized.

Bear whipped out his harmonica to complete his Bob Dylan Halloween costume, and ended the night with the song, “Garden Heart.”

If you’re looking for recordings, Bear’s Tapestry has a few in the works. The group recently recorded four songs, with plans to release them by December, and have more recordings planned for the future. The former feature a smaller, more intimate sound, similar to what you can hear on the podcast.

Bear’s Tapestry also has a few upcoming gigs. They’ll be at Side Bar on November 2, with doors opening at 7:30. Costumes are welcomed, and encouraged. They’ll also be at Foam Brewers with Reid Parsons on the first Friday of December, and at Bolton Valley with Adventure Dog on February 2. More details will be found on their Facebook leading up to events.

Text by Luke Vidic.

Photo by James Lockridge.