The Croydon, south London quartet distill folk-punk, emo, and indie pop to create perky, lyrical, agreeable songs exploring themes of hope, friendship, change, and personal challenge. Vocalists Iain Gillespie and Callum Litchfield were childhood friends who went on to play in the November Criminals with Nick Peters. When that act dissolved, the trio opted to form a new group in 2014, naming it Bears in Trees after a random name generator served up “Bears in Submarines” which they deemed too lengthy a moniker. On meeting George Berry at music college, Litchfield asked him to assist with producing the band’s earliest material. Berry’s significant contribution to these sessions led to him becoming Bears in Trees’ permanent drummer. As the bandmembers settled into their roles, trained flutist Litchfield focused on the ukulele and piano, while bassist Gillespie and guitarist Peters composed lyrics.
