The Act: CHINA BEARS

The Track: 'NORTH STAR'

The Format: DIGISINGLE

The Release Date: APRIL 10TH 2024

The Truth: Originally formed in Somerset by twin brothers Ivan (lead vocals / guitar) and Frazer (lead guitar), the China Bears line up was completed after meeting James (bass) and Dean (drums) at university in Guildford. 'North Star' is the Bears' brand new single, and the second track to be taken from their debut album, entitled 'Participation Trophy' and due out on July 12th.

'Participation Trophy' is available to pre-order right now on a variety of fruity formats and bundles as well as the chance to win tickets for the October tour - full dates below and full details over at https://chinabears.tmstor.es/?utm_campaign=TM%20Breakthrough%20Vol.%2031&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Mailjet

If melodic diligence counts for anything in what is left of the music industry China Bears are masters of their arty leftfield craft: throughout a series of terrific tours and exquisitely-balanced EP releases with names like 'I've Never Met Anyone Like You', 'Statue Still' and 'All That Distance', they have displayed an innate ability to blend the alt.rock rush with the acoustic hush.

Whether it’s ripping apart the stage with their misery-anthemic indie or encapturing the room to pin drop silence singing their songs shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the crowd, China Bears have gained recognition for their emotive high energy and intimate performances which have drawn knowing comparisons to The National, Death Cab For Cutie and Frightened Rabbit.

2024 will see China Bears cash in on all that magical work on the margins. Fresh from a vibrantly successful second trip to SXSW, their 'Participation Trophy' album was recorded in the autumnal sunshine of Leith with Rod Jones from Idlewild at the production controls. 'Easy Kill' was the perfectly imperfect entry point in January, it being muscular and moving and epic and ever-so-quietly putting the 'emo' into 'emotional', and 'North Star' fits that same dynamic dynamic.

"The writing of “North Star” was a purely cathartic process," explains Ivan. "Initially a song about dealing with grief and loss, it transcended into hope and following your heart. Without trying to sound too morbid, time isn’t always a given, but if you’re spending it chasing your passions and ambitions, surrounded by those who make you feel alive, then maybe it’ll be okay after all."

Having kicked off the new year with an intimate show at Hackney Two Palms for the Pandamonium Festival and astounded half of Austin in March China Bears take their angst and angular emotions to these places here:

October 1st SHEFFIELD Sidney & Matilda
October 2nd NEWCASTLE Head of Steam
October 3rd GLASGOW Broadcast
October 4th MANCHESTER Off the Square
October 5th NORWICH Voodoo Daddy's
October 8th NOTTINGHAM Bodega
October 9th BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds
October 10th LONDON HACKNEY Oslo
October 11th BRISTOL The Exchange

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