Bright, ukulele-led indie pop with the heart of a midwest emo band. Earnest harmonies and suburban stories for long walks and deep talks with best friends.
Bears in Trees sound like the warmth of a shared secret. Their music is anchored by the bright, percussive pluck of the ukulele, which they treat with the same rhythmic urgency as a punk guitar. It is a sound that feels lived-in and communal, characterized by vocal harmonies that sound like a group of friends singing around a kitchen table rather than a polished studio booth. There is a distinct 'organic' quality to their production that favors acoustic textures and clear, honest delivery.
What truly sets them apart is their 'dirtbag boyband' identity, a self-aware blend of boyband-style camaraderie and the gritty, vulnerable lyricism of the UK indie scene. They manage to be incredibly earnest without being saccharine, tackling heavy themes of mental health and existential dread with a playful, almost whimsical musicality. The interplay between the four members is palpable, creating a sense of belonging that invites the listener into their inner circle.
Newcomers should start with the EP 'I Want To Feel Chaotic', specifically the track 'Ramblings of a Lunatic'. It perfectly encapsulates their ability to pair frantic, wordy verses with soaring, cathartic choruses. From there, 'How to Build an Ocean: Instructions' shows their growth into a more expansive, confident sound while retaining the DIY spirit that defined their early Croydon roots.
Bears in Trees are an English indie rock band from Croydon, South London, England. The group consists of bassist and vocalist Iain Gillespie, drummer George Berry, vocalist Callum Litchfield and guitarist Nicholas "Nick" Peters. The band rejects traditional genre labels, dubbing themselves a 'dirtbag boyband.' In October 2020, Bears in Trees signed to Boston label Counter Intuitive Records. However, the band subsequently went independent with their 2024 album How to Build an Ocean: Instructions after rejecting a "major record label deal."
Shares indie pop, indie rock (subgenres); playful, vulnerable, wistful (moods)
Shares indie pop, indie rock (subgenres); bedroom production, analog warmth, stripped back (production style)
Shares indie pop, indie rock (subgenres); gentle, harmonized, androgynous (vocal style)

Shares bedroom production, analog warmth, stripped back (production style); playful, vulnerable, wistful (moods)
Shares gentle, harmonized, androgynous (vocal style); indie pop, indie rock (subgenres)
Shares indie pop, indie rock (subgenres); bedroom production, analog warmth, stripped back (production style)
Shares indie pop, indie rock (subgenres); gentle, harmonized, androgynous (vocal style)
Shares bedroom production, analog warmth, layered dense (production style); gentle, harmonized (vocal style)
Shares bedroom production, analog warmth, stripped back (production style); indie pop, indie rock (subgenres)
Shares androgynous, sunday morning, stripped back, indie rock (vocal style)
Shares friendship, folk punk, sunday morning, stripped back (signature)
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →