Vancouver’s The Lion The Bear The Fox is three huge voices joined as one, telling the truth through compelling story, honest narrative and unbridled passion.
Originally known for their respective solo careers, Christopher Arruda (the lion), Ryan McMahon (the fox) and Cory Woodward (the bear) joined forces back in 2012.
These three men had actually set out on tour to promote their respective solo efforts. Woodword was gearing up to release a full-length album, and Arruda and McMahon were making the trek to keep traction with the audiences they'd built up over the years.
Over wine, campfires, nights in cheap hotel rooms and woodland cabins, an unshakeable bond began to form.
They shared stories of their lives, successes and failures in the music industry, and ultimately their dreams of what they hope to accomplish as artists.
By the end of a tour where three distinct voices came together organically to supported one another, this trio had a setlist worth of material.
By uniting three distinct, equally powerful voices and songwriting approaches, Arruda, Woodward and McMahon have stumbled onto a magic much greater than the sum of its parts.
They were immediately selected as one of the top 20 unsigned bands B.C. by the Peak Performance Project in 2013.
The fall of 2013 saw the band release their self-produced breakthrough EP We’d Be Good Men and take Western Canada by storm. They toured extensively over the next two years, including stops at Canadian Music Week (Toronto), Contact East (PEI), OSAC (Regina) Mission Folk Festival and The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver. They've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with artists like Tom Wilson, Good For Grapes, Elliot Brood and Kim Mitchell.
As their catalogue and fan base continue to grow in 2016, Lion Bear Fox are further cementing themselves as a Canadian band to watch.
With the help of friend and producer Nygel Asselin (Half Moon Run), the trio spent ten days in the Vancouver Island wilderness crafting “the record of their lives,” a collection of songs steeped in character and full of warmth.
One part folk, one part rock - with a pinch of gospel and a dash of growl, the self-titled LP is a testament to the trio’s strength as songwriters.
Lush acoustic guitars are bookended by buzzing electrics and screaming organs, all tied together by rich percussion and three voices in mighty harmony.
The Lion The Bear The Fox perform at the Acoustic Emporium (45892 Wellington Ave) on April 29. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Visit thelionthebearthefox.com to preview their music.
