"There are times when the embarrassment of riches that is Colorado’s fecund musical community truly astounds. If you keep your eyes peeled, your ears open and your brain permeable, you’ll discover tasty new musical nuggets on an almost weekly basis in our quadrilateral state. Today, that nugget is Bearsnail, the acoustic punk project that will release its debut CD, “Imperfect Goodbyes,” this weekend. Read on and steal a track from the album so your friends will know how cool you are.
Kyle Harris began playing guitar in a Southern Baptist church in Missouri when he was just 12 years old. Six years later, he lost his faith, discovered filmmaking and found his passion in railing against capitalism and advocating for queer rights and identity. With an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in his back pocket, Harris found his way to Denver in 2005, programming and producing documentaries for Free Speech TV.
Somewhere along the way — between growing disillusioned with nonprofit politics and teaching at Colorado Film School — Harris started writing and playing songs again just last year, under the name Bearsnail. Since then, he’s written over 100 songs, 12 of which appear on the artist’s surprising debut, “Imperfect Goodbyes.”
On first listen, Bearsnail sounds like ironic twee pop — Harris’s endearingly off-key vocals and brutish acoustic guitar suggest the unholy collision of Jonathan Richman and Billy Bragg — but a closer listen reveals disturbing depths. Harris’s preferred subject matter includes domestic abuse, failed love and a surfeit of suicides. Though his quirky vocal delivery hints at humor, there’s very little that’s funny about the pain out of which “Imperfect Goodbyes” arises.
“This song is a way for me to pray that I never have another lover try to kill themselves in my presence,” Harris sings on “Tribute Song.” And though lyrics like that might sound over the top, Bearsnail’s quirky, sincere and self-effacing delivery make it all very real and compelling. Steal “Guts” for a sample of Harris’s uniquely honest songwriting and performance style, then pop down to the Meadowlark Bar on Saturday, Oct 15, to see the man in action and pick up a copy of the CD." --Steal This Track, Eryc Eyl
"Kyle Harris has lived all over this country and seen the ups and downs of personal, professional and political life. But instead of cultivating a world-weary sound, Harris, who makes music under the name Bearsnail (due at the Meadowlark on Saturday, October 15), seems to have found a certain appreciation for the vitality of life and simple pleasures that you'll lose sight of if you're in too much of a hurry for the next big thing. With songs informed by folky pop, campfire sing-alongs and "acoustic punk" in the vein of Drinking Gourd and the Fainting Fansies, Harris's debut album, Imperfect Goodbyes, is full of kids' songs for adults. Even when they're about life's dark moments, Bearsnail's tunes bear an innocent, expansive spirit." Westword, Tom Murphy
All Songs Written and Recorded by Kyle Harris
Musical Arrangements: Riley Cockrell and Kyle Harris
Vocals: Kyle Harris and Riley Cockrell
Guitar: Kyle Harris
Bass: Riley Cockrell
Cover and Liner Art: Anna Inazu
CD Art: Hillary Estner
Graphic Design: Hillary Estner
GRATITUDEI
have incredible friends and collaborators who put up with me when I’m horrid and
help me celebrate when I’m well. Thanks a million to Hillary Estner for tolerating my
late night singing, giving me encouraging words when I can’t scrape myself off the
ground, designing the CD face and booklet, and being an incredible partner, sweetheart,
and friend. Riley—Your voice, your bass playing, your kindness, and your gentle
critique humble and challenge me. Anna—I am so in love with each of your paintings
and appreciate all your support. I love you Mom and Dad, Chet Easton, Rae Swersey,
Matthew Jackalinski, Chad Hagedorn, Rowan, Chris Nelson, Benji Nelson, Gray, Morgan,
Mandrake, Jessi Quizar, Chris Bravo, Brandy Darling, Kai, Jesse Weight, Stephen Hook,
Matt Diemer, Matterman, Seth Donovan, Emily Forman, Noah Bardwell, Israel Rose Oka,
Leslie Wilbur, Geyl, Katie Miller, Mabel Darling, Laura Ritter, Molly Growler, Bart Lantz,
Sarah Levin, Mano, Sarah Slater, Gregory Hoenig, Gabi Tobar, Zeke, Jordan Garcia,
Meche, Kevin Price, Kelly Shortandqueer, P&L Printing, Kyle Usher (my first
songwriting buddy). Thanks to all the other amazing, loving people who’ve had my back
and encouraged me, helped me book shows, danced and sang-along, listened to me play
and given me sweet dreams at night. Thanks for letting me sing raw, emotional songs to
you.
Love, xoxo, kisses, Kyle
In Loving Memory of Hal Harris and Erin Maria Norton.
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