Photos: Tom Christie
Author: Meilyn Huq
Leslie Bear has been playing under the moniker Long Beard since she first started playing house shows hosted by her friends in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Since the release of her cherished debut album, Sleepwalker, last fall, she’s toured the country alongside Fraternal Twin and we’ve all been itching to hear more.
For our compilation, Afterthoughts, Bear gifted us with a seraphic cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” Last week at Flemington DIY, we got the chance to speak with her about her experiences as an independent touring artist thus far and her plans for the future.
Do you have anything new you’re working on now?
Right now, I am in the process of writing new songs for either an EP or LP. It’s funny, because I get in the habit of branching a song idea into many songs at the same time, and will probably scrap all but one in the end. For now, it’s nice to just be playing around with ideas and letting whatever comes out be there, like a “creative dump.”
What’s the best thing about touring?
The best thing about it is definitely the getaway from everyday life- seeing new places, and meeting new people. Sounds cliché, but I’ve always liked being on the go and feeling more purposeful day to day.
I love that in performing, you have to face your vulnerability, and turn that into confidence or a certainty that you "belong there on stage” as my friend Laetitia [of Vagabon] once said. Even if you are reaching no one, it’s nice to know that you are allowing your songs to be heard and “exist” at least in the moment.
What is a place you go to for writing music?
Lately I haven’t been able to find any really special places to write, and so have just been writing in my room/around the apartment. I do find that writing by a window helps me though. In the past I’ve always liked writing, or at least thinking/reflecting on a “high” place like a roof, or attic, or top of a parking deck.
How do you think you’ve grown as an artist?
I think I’m definitely more accepting of my art now than I was at first. I used to be pretty apathetic about it, not giving myself enough credit and worried how everyone else would respond to it. I realize now, that was the wrong way to look at it. I put more care into it now, and take the “artist” role more seriously. This is something I do, that I love doing and need to work hard at, not only to grow as a musician, but to create something that at least I can believe in.
Listen to Bear’s contribution to our compilation here:
Be sure to catch Long Beard play along with gobbinjr, Lunch Ladies and Rhea for minikin’s tape release and fundraiser for We Make Noise at The Silent Barn! RSVP here.
Or catch her on her weekend tour with Tim Woulfe:
7/21 - Washington, D.C
7/22 - Richmond, VA
7/23 - Baltimore, MD
7/24 - Philadelphia, PA
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