Behind The Music with Bjéar: “Over the years I tried to put music in a box. Eventually I just had to do it”
From hardcore to jazz to Bon Iver, Bjéar’s influences reach wide, but their bold and emotive electronic sounds are quintessentially their own. We sat down with Bjéar ahead of their Foyer Friday set to speak about why they love Adelaide’s music scene.
Describe your music in three words.
Bold. Emotive. Captivating.
How did you come to where you are today? Was music always on the cards for you?
I always played guitar in church and in hardcore bands for fun but didn't focus on and commit to it until I was about 23. Sometimes it feels like it (whatever you might be passionate about) is choosing you and not the other way around. Over the years I tried to put music in a box - it was my hobby - but eventually I just had to do it.
Favourite music memory?
As a musician it's probably Bjéar's debut album launch at the Ed Castle in 2017. As a fan it's seeing Sufjan, The National, and Bon Iver at a beautiful festival in Wisconsin in 2015. But there are many.
What influences your music?
There are artists like Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, Talk Talk and so on, as well as several films and even novels. I love the artists behind these works because there are moments where I can go... "wow, that's such a specific sound, line, general concept or emotion and I feel like it's always been there in my subconscious" and through those moments I am, I guess, validated and even feel part of an exclusive community in some way. So I guess out of that, I'm deeply inspired to create those sorts of moments for others out of my own unique experience.
What do you love about the music scene in Adelaide?
I love that in a relatively small city I can go out and see just about any genre of band play. I especially love jazz and I feel really spoiled to be able to see incredible jazz artists just about every week.
What can we expect from your Foyer Fridays set? Will you be debuting any new music?
Expect something different, expect to smile, expect refreshing arrangements and sound that you might not be able to hear very often. Yes. Can't wait.
What are you most excited about your upcoming gig at Woodville Town Hall?
I'm just so excited to share my music in such a beautiful venue with some of my favourite musicians playing alongside me. As always, I hope to meet people from the community that might not have heard of Bjéar before.
Seabass and Bjéar
Foyer Fridays Main Hall Sessions
Friday 22nd October, 7pm
Tickets are $20 from Humanitix
