The 2 Bears

All Music Guide:

The 2 Bears are a collaboration between producer Raf Rundell, co-founder of the 1965 label, and Joe Goddard of Hot Chip. The two crossed paths while DJ'ing a London party hosted by the latter's Greco-Roman Soundsystem collective. Later the duo teamed to host Follow the Bears, a program for Ministry of Sound Radio, and went about replicating some of the Detroit techno and Chicago house they had been playing, with Goddard making beats and Rundell singing. During 2010 and 2011, they released four EPs on Southern Fried. Be Strong, their first album, appeared in January 2012 through Southern Fried in the U.K. and DFA in the U.S.

Wikipedia:

The 2 Bears are a London-based musical duo formed in 2009 composed of Joe Goddard (of electronic band Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell. The duo produces original material amalgamating various styles including 2-step, house, hip-hop and soul and also host a radio show on Ministry of Sound Radio entitled "Follow the Bears". Critics offer various descriptions of The 2 Bears' sound including "pop-hip-house" "liquid-bmore-house-step" and "rave-garage". The 2 Bears have received UK national radio support from DJs including Fearne Cotton, Scott Mills, Greg James, Annie Mac, Huw Stephens, Kissy Sell Out, Dev, Rob Da Bank, John Kennedy and Nick Grimshaw. The 2 Bears have also created a Radio 1 minimix for Annie Mac. The duo have produced remixes for several established artists including Santigold, Metronomy, Toddla T and The View.

History [edit]

Raf Rundell and Joe Goddard 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, Raf 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 Raf & Joe 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 & Supabeatz. The 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 January 29 2012, and was preceded by the single 'Work' on January 2. 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.