The bear has awoken from a four year slumber. Grizzly Bear surprised fans on Wednesday morning (Apr. 13) by announcing that they are gearing up to record the long-awaited follow-up to 2012 Shields. After a nearly year-long Twitter silence, a series of tweets announced both the new recordings and a special show this weekend.
“We r passionate to make amazing music for years to come!” they tweeted, adding that bassist Chris Taylor just became a dad. “We are starting to record the new album next month with tons of songs!”
1: Chris Bear had a beautiful baby 2: We are starting to record the new album next month with tons of songs! 3: we playing a Bernie Rally
— Grizzly Bear (@grizzlybear) April 13, 2016
Clearly wanting to share the good news after such a prolonged silence, the band is eager to get back to work. “We are all super excited to record this new album next month. We feel great about it, and excited.”
I just want you to know, politics aside , we are all super excited to record this new album next month. We feel great about it, and excited
— Grizzly Bear (@grizzlybear) April 13, 2016
We love ?? all! We r passionate to make amazing music for years to come! And we are passionate about changing the political system in the US
— Grizzly Bear (@grizzlybear) April 13, 2016
Thanks so much to all of you all that still care! We are ready to unleash a fresh album and hopefully under a fresh government! Love! ??????
— Grizzly Bear (@grizzlybear) April 13, 2016
In addition to working on new music, Grizzly Bear will break a two-plus year live performance hiatus with a gig in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Sunday in support of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. The free show, their first since January 2014, will also feature appearances from actors Justin Long and Danny DeVito and Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
once in a lifetime chance to elect a true progressive. We all know the Repubs will never hand deliver such easily defeatable candidates
— Grizzly Bear (@grizzlybear) April 13, 2016
Singer Ed Droste — who along with band mates Daniel Rossen, Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear endorsed Sanders in a Facebook post earlier this month — also posted a lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday morning in which he enthused about being involved in the political process and getting excited about democracy. “I’m so optimistic and hopeful New York can change the tides,” he wrote, saying he’s canvassed for President Obama in the past and phone banked for Sanders, but “never before have I felt so inspired by a candidate’s purity and integrity.” Check out the full post below:
He’s already started stumping, joined by actors Shailene Woodley, Kendrick Sampson and Kal Pen during a rally at Columbia University on Tuesday.