TAKEN FROM THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM ‘PARTICIPATION TROPHY’ – OUT 12TH JULY
PRE-SAVE HERE | PRE-ORDER HERE
NINE DATE UK HEADLINE TOUR ANNOUNCED
FOR OCTOBER 2024
Rising indie four-piece China Bears have today released their vibrant new single ‘Total Communication Breakdown’. Listen here. The lively indie anthem is the third offering from their highly-anticipated debut album ‘Participation Trophy’, out 12th July 2024 via Fierce Panda Records. Pre-save here.
‘Total Communication Breakdown’ is a punchy, energetic indie gem. The song boasts a typically anthemic feel with rousing, guitar-led melodies and a powerful, catchy chorus making it a track that will leave a lasting impression.
“This is the last song we wrote for the album,” explained lead singer Ivan, “listening through the album demos we felt like we were missing a pure cathartic rock-esque track. With refining from producer Rod Jones (Idlewild), we came out with Total Communication Breakdown.”
Speaking further on the track, he said “This song really magnifies the moments of isolation you go through during the initial stages of separation with someone, fighting every urge to not reach out to them, but also coming to terms with them not reaching out to you. Sometimes it can be really hard to see yourself coming out better off the other side in matters like these. We’ve been playing this song at our recent live shows and it’s been such a fun track to play to get everyone going.
Originally formed in Somerset by twin brothers Ivan (vocals, guitar) and Frazer (lead guitar), the China Bears line up was completed after meeting James (bass) and Dean (drums) at university in Guildford.
If melodic diligence counts for anything, China Bears are masters of their arty leftfield craft. Through a series of terrific tours and exquisitely-balanced EP releases ‘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.
Rousing and romantic, debut album ‘Participation Trophy’ feels cinematic in its grandeur, whilst also feeling incredibly personal in its storytelling. It was recorded in the autumnal sunshine of Leith with Rod Jones from Idlewild at the production controls. From the driving ‘I Will Break My Own Heart’, the twinkling ‘Beck and Call’, the electric force of ‘Total Communication Breakdown’ to the blossoming ‘Gracie’, there is a song to accompany everyone’s own life soundtrack. The album is available to pre-order now in physical format (LP, CD, Cassette) here.
Whether it’s ripping apart the stage with their misery-anthemic indie or captivating 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.
China Bears will be touring the UK this October, playing nine headline shows across the country. The tour will see them play venues in Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, Norwich, Nottingham, Birmingham, London and Bristol. Tickets here. Full list of dates below:
UK LIVE DATES
1st October | Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield
2nd October | Head of Steam, Newcastle
3rd October | Broadcast, Glasgow
4th October | Off The Square, Manchester
5th October | Voodoo Daddy’s, Norwich
8th October | Bodega, Nottingham
9th October | Hare & Hounds 2, Birmingham
10th October | Oslo, London
11th October | The Exchange, Bristol
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
