Around a campfire in the woods of Northern Michigan is where a group of longtime friends first had the idea for the musical coalition that is now Bear Lake. Having played for years in numerous other bands around the Midwest circuit, these friends acquired some free recording time (thanks to a year of studio servitude by Steve Stetson) and decided to lay down tracks for what eventually became their debut album, "Catch the Sun" (though no one would have foreseen it at the time). The album was mixed at Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak, MI (Electric Six, Kid Rock, The Go, and Sponge) under the guidance of Eric Hoegemeyer and Al Sutton. The tracks for the album were recorded in just two days, but the members knew immediately that this was a band and that it was going to be something worth pursuing. Now, just five months later, Bear Lake is getting ready to release their second album "Places on the Side" to the world. This album was also recorded at Rustbelt with the help of Al Sutton and Eric Hoegemeyer. Along with the album, Bear Lake is getting ready to go on their first major Midwest tour in January 2009. Though this band is very much still in its inception, Bear Lake is really excited about sharing their quickly-expanding arsenal with the world. "Catch the Sun" can be purchased on both I-tunes and CDbaby. "Places on the Side" will be available in mid-September. New music will emerge here on a fairly regular basis as we continue on this "Experiment In Songwriting," and we hope to see you back often! Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy. PRESS/REVIEWS "One listen to a song like catch the sun is enough to grab your attention. This is a band full of confidence - not the show-off confidence of some crowd of wannabes, but the quiet confidence of a band that knows how to write a great tune. Catch the Sun is one of those great American road songs - the bass and guitars propelling the listener right from the outset to the chorus, just as singer Matt Hines sings about leaving sorrow behind, in time to catch the sun. The song is spacious and optimistic, and you'd be hard-pushed to find a better song to stick in your car-stereo in the morning to raise the spirits. Faded is another stand out track. The musicianship and production is spot on, oozing quality and experience. The chorus marks out the band's key strength - they can build a hook, both musically and lyrically, that leaves you with a clear idea to take away from the song on just one listen. The music punctuates the punchline of the song perfectly: "Patience is dangerous, when you've got shit to do". Traverse City opens and it could be the shins, or counting crows (Sullivan Street drifts into my mind as I listen). But listening through it has it's own sound well crafted out, with gentle nostalgia washing over the listener. The band is based around a group of friends, all in their mid 20s that broke their teeth - musically speaking - in various different bar bands around Michigan, before deciding to throw their lot in together as Bear Lake. There's a wealth of experience on display, and a maturity that adds meat to the melodies. This is a band where no-one is pushing or shoving himself into the limelight, and where everyone contributes perfectly to a rich and lush sound. The other thing that make's you sit up and take notice of Bear Lake is the diversity on show. Many bands, when capable of writing a killer tune like Catch the Sun, presume that the next smart move is to write eight or nine tunes in a similar vein. There's a world of difference between the American rock of Catch the Sun and The Victor, which takes its signature liberally from the Beatles (respectfully done, which makes it alright), while mixing it up with a simple but clever and well-paced heavy-guitar and drum fest. Clever, well-crafted, and original - what more do you want?" -Three Monkeys Press - Catch the Sun - Bear Lake - By Rita B. http://www.threemonkeysonline.com/reviews/bear_lake_catch_the_sun.html "This Northern Michigan-based eight-piece ensemble purveys a vibrant, pulsing rock groove, calling to mind such atmospheric collectives as The Flaming Lips (if only they were more sinister), Muse (if their singer didn't boast a boat engine vibrato) or Creeper Lagoon (if only they'd kept their lineup intact). Lush harmonies come by way of Matt Hines (Lead Vox), Jon Rice (Rhythm Guitar/Vox), Brian Kwasnik (Piano/Vox), and Keith May (Bass/Vox), lifting what might be ordinarily redundant tunes about city life versus nature dwelling into lulling, hypnotic opuses for pop fans." -Synthesis Band You've Never Heard Of Band of the Day: Bear Lake Synthesis Magazine Author: ryan 13 February 2008 "The 6-piece which includes the piano, organ, percussion and a rhythm guitar help the band display a full sound that seems a throwback to something from the past. The song "The Victor" could be a part of The Beatles early back catalog with its dark lyrics and jaunty beat. The song becomes the band's clear standout number. On "Brown" lead singer Matt Hines wails like a 70s rock star over a heavy guitar. Bear Lake's debut transforms them into a band certainly worth listening to." -Bear Lake - Catch The Sun - Beyond Race Magazine Sunday, 03 February 2008 22:55 Author: Shannon Carlin "The Shins or Heatmiser-era Elliott Smith on the happy meds." -Shannon Carlin