Boy & Bear are an Australian folk rock band, based out of Sydney, New South Wales. The band began as a solo project for singer-songwriter Dave Hosking in 2009) before quickly expanding into a full band. In February 2009, Hosking uploaded a track, "The Storm", to the Unearthed program on radio station Triple J, it became a featured song at the station. Hosking had met Killian Gavin who was a singer-songwriter and guitarist in Ovell, and the pair started jamming together. Tim Hart, from another university band Wintersound, joined as a drummer and singer-songwriter. Then they expanded with Jake Tarasenko (ex-Tripartisan Approach) on bass guitar. All four had fronted their own groups and became friends after regularly sharing the stage at gigs.
After winning the 2009 Unearthed competition, they gained a performance spot at the Australasian music festival Homebake. In 2010, Tim's brother Jon Hart joined the band as an official member; contributing vocals, mandolin, banjo and keyboards. They toured Australia opening for Angus and Julia Stone as a three-piece, with Tarasenko and Hart in London playing in Laura Marling's backing band. In May 2010, Boy & Bear released their debut extended play, With Emperor Antarctica. They then recorded the song "Fall at Your Feet" for He Will Have His Way, a tribute album to singer-songwriter brothers, Tim and Neil Finn. Boy & Bear's version of "Fall at Your Feet" was listed at No. 5 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2010. Another of their tracks, "Rabbit Song" was placed at No. 45.
Photo Credit: Luke Kellet
