Interview: Aaron Bear
Aaron Bear, the spiritually-inspired namesake of musician and songwriter Aaron “Bear” Berger, offers loving intentionality and a belief that music is medicine. His emotionally reflective lyrics and soulful expression have made him a natural favorite throughout New England. Bear's music is inspired by his journey of the opening heart. This calling cultivates a deep connectivity with a growing fanbase and Aaron is evolving into a leader in the conscious musical community.
What led to you becoming an artist?
It truly feels like Spirit pulled me into music as part of my karma, my life path. I bought a cheap drumset in 6th grade because all of my friends were playing guitar and I thought it would be a good way to explore relationships with people - basement jams, making noise, experimenting. I started performing as a singer songwriter after some encouragement from my friends. Performing and writing music has been an anchor in my life ever since.
What inspires your music?
Most of my music comes from my relationships with other people. It’s often the stuff that can’t be said in words and has to come through as music. Nature, my path with Spirit, and life-changing experiences also weigh heavily into my songwriting. My newest song "Lessons" came from a 3 day fast and shamanic ceremony. Following that experience I journaled about 11 pages into my little blue book. I had these chords inspired by Ben Howard's "Old Pine" but I couldn't figure out what to do with them. I opened my journal, played the chords, and started reading my journal entry out loud. The song was born through this experience and the lyrics hold a really deep meaning to my life. That's how I try to find inspiration - from the depths of this life journey.
Who are some of your influences?
Musically I am a huge fan of Trevor Hall, Ben Howard, and Benjamin Tod. When I was younger I was really into rap. But throughout high school and college I was huge into jam bands. You probably couldn’t tell from my recorded music, but in live performances I love to jam and improvise. Now I mostly listen to mellow folk tunes, but I have been really into this band Goose for a while now. Lost Dog Street Band hits me deep, too.
What are some of your favorite memories from your career?
One of my favorite memories was playing at my friends' wedding ceremony. I made eye contact with the groom and father of the groom while the bride walked down the aisle, and we all felt this cosmic moment that felt so good. Those types of memories are one-of-a-kind and close to my heart.
What have been some of the greatest challenges of your career?
I think the biggest challenge is continuing on the path of music, appreciating where I am and all I have, even when I fall short of my career goals. A lot of times it feels like the decision to play music is beyond me - it’s something I have to do whether I want to or not. But I am grateful to music for always being there for me. And I’m so grateful to my fans who keep supporting the process.
Which of your songs/eps or albums is your favorite? Why is it your favorite?
I don’t love to play favorites, but I think the message behind my song ‘ancient’ is really powerful. I love the recorded track because Tommy (producer, sound engineer) really captured the essence of the song. It’s sad, raw, and uplifting all at once.
Who are some collaborators who helped you create your favorite work?
Tommy Hazerian has produced all of my music. He is an epic wizard in the studio, wearing the hats of producer, sound engineer, motivator, friend, and collaborator all at once. I have a lot of gratitude for that man.
What are you most excited to bring to your fans in the next year?
Oh man I am so excited to get back into the studio and create some more magic for my fans. We’ve got two more singles to drop in 2023 and they have a way different feel than all of my previous works. After that, we have lots of songs to start tracking, and I’m looking forward to all of it. With more live shows booked and some epic live renditions to come, I’m stoked to jam for you all!
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
Release these singles and record the next album! Play some bigger stages in New England and keep the momentum going. But more than anything, my goal is to keep connecting deeper with the music that flows through me so I can bring it into this world with honesty, integrity, and love.
How can your fans best support you right now?
Please go listen to my new song ‘Lessons’, and honestly reaching out and telling me how the music impacts you goes a really long way. Connecting with fans is what keeps me going, so please don’t be afraid to get into my DMs. If you love the songs, please share them with your friends and family!
Aaron Bear’s Links: