Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Be the Bear

Swedish recording artist, Be the Bear, is a one-woman music machine who is redefining the pop genre with her unique sound and lyrical voice. She’s pouring her heart and soul into her craft, and it’s resonating with listeners around the world. Today, she drops the remix to her infectious single, “Mermaid”, and Pop Culturalist got all the details.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Be the Bear: I fell in love with music at an early age. At seven, I used to invite my friends home from school to lie on the floor and listen to music and cry. Then as a teenager, I was harmonizing with songs non-stop, which grew into recording my own ideas. It’s a constant stream of inspiration—I call it my melody disease. My friends are used to me suddenly zoning out and rushing off to record something.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Mermaid”. What inspired the track?
Be the Bear: At the time, I was really worried about someone I love who was in a psychiatric hospital. This song was my declaration of love, my way of being there from a distance because visiting times were so brief. It was a truly terrifying experience seeing someone you love like that and not being able to stay with them. It took a while for me to release “Mermaid” because it was a gift, first and foremost. Now it’s a gift of love to anyone who needs it on either side of the wall.

PC: If you had to pick one single that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Be the Bear: I can’t pick one! I feel like I’m always growing as a writer. I’m becoming more and more honest and open; I’m sharing more intimate stories and thoughts. If I burst into tears while I’m recording, I feel I’ve done my job. My hope is that if I give my all, people will feel it while they’re listening to my music. Music is all about that connection.

PC: Can fans expect a larger body of work?
Be the Bear: Yes! I’m working on my debut album, which I’m recording and producing myself. I’m bringing my favorite musicians into the studio and collaborating with people I really admire. It’s very exciting—I can’t wait to share it with everyone! Most of the songs were written by me on a piano. I’m really focused on my storytelling and challenging myself vocally.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead in 2019?
Be the Bear: Let’s find out! Right now, I’m trying to be in the moment and focus on my album, song by song, and as a whole.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Be the Bear: Mother of dragons! I mean Game of Thrones, but what a disappointing ending. I also love The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Handmaid’s Tale.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Be the Bear: Anything with Tom Hanks. I love him.

PC: Favorite book?
Be the Bear: Life & Times of Michael K by J.M. Coetzee.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Be the Bear: I love anything Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Be the Bear: I think people would be surprised to know how much pop I listen to. I’m a huge Max Martin fan, but I have thousands of songs in my public playlists on Spotify. I collect everything I find that affects me.

PC: First album you bought?
Be the Bear: Michael Jackson’s Bad. I adore him.

PC: First concert you attended?
Be the Bear: Spice Girls

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Be the Bear: Debut by Björk. It changed my whole perspective on music and what was vocally possible. Some people say I sound like her, but it’s really unintentional. It’s very important to me to be my own. That’s why I try to do as much as I can by myself now, and why I never took any music lessons.

To keep up with Be the Bear, make sure to follow her on Instagram, and pick up “Mermaid” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.