Jerome Alexander - acoustic guitars, pianos, glockenspiels, samples, drums, loop pedal, melodica, toy piano, harmonium, voice.
During live shows I am now joined by a rotating cast of friends to help me perform the songs, those who have contributed so far include:
Adam Harvey Alan James
Jamil Samad
Tim Gill
John Owen
Sam Lund Harket
Laura Ashby
Influences
life, stories, countryside, cities, forests, roadtrips, bonfires, the beach late at night, summer fields, Snowdonian cottages, changing seasons, Peter Broderick, Explosions in the Sky, Yann Tiersen, The Album Leaf, Library Tapes, Beirut, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mono, Ólafur Arnalds, Manyfingers, Eluvium, Arvo Part, Philip Glass...
Sounds Like
- Mixmag
"Message To Bears is the work of young and talented musician, Jerome Alexander. Incorporating acoustic guitars, glockenspiel, drums and sampling, he has created a rather gentle and affecting ep here, that nods to both Jose Gonzalez and Eluvium. There are some moments of uplifitng beauty on "Ep 1", whether it is through a simple guitar melody or the introduction of some light drumming. A collection of folky instrumental acoustic tracks, each song contains something that will make you want to go back for more." - Boring Machines
"From what I've read, and to the best of my knowledge, Message to Bears is only one person, a man from the UK named Jerome Alexander. He seems to be a natural-born instrumentalist, gifted at creating some very emotional, delicate music. The music he's recorded is subtle and beautiful, rich is tone and texture. It's soothing in the purest sense. When I listen, I imagine wide-open landscapes that haven't yet been touched by modern civilization. I suppose that kind of thing only exists in movies, which is rather fitting, because this album could very well be the score to a film. The music itself falls somewhere between EITS and Eluvium. Very guitar based, acoustic finger picking that definitely has its scopes set pretty high.
Luckily, it never fails in its attempt." - Decoy Music
"Electronica that doesn’t make me wince. Instrumentals that do more than float aimlessly looking for a place to roost, or trying to get your attention by flashing and spashing you with isolated and losts sounds. This is just a current, a jet-stream, it moves you - not in the “it moved me to tears” half-emotion. No this is surreal, and dynamic.
There’s no pretense, and it certainly doesn’t sound underground - this is open to the fresh air. Resonating through all sorts of frequencies that I really don’t understand." - Nothing But Green Lights
"But I’ve left the best to last: the wonderful, impressionistic ‘Plane Over Evening Sky’. Again, we get a rapt, concentrated opening statement from the acoustic guitar which then widens almost cinematically with the inclusion of layers of lush guitars. Bells, string washes and even hand claps are subsequently incorporated into the texture to create an almost religious experience." - Oxfordbands.com
EP1 packaged in brown recycled card sleeve with screen printed back and front covers. ltd. 100. SOLD OUT
Split with The Soul's Release
Packaged in brown recycled card sleeve with window for cover. SOLD OUT
Hello, I am Jerome and I write music as Message To Bears. If you would like to contact me feel free to send me a message on here or an email to messagetobears@live.com
Thankyou.
Latest album - Departures "Full length CD album from Jerome aka Message to Bears, Oxfords premiere ambient folker. Here he brings us 10 tracks of his gorgeous acoustic guitar driven melancholy, beginning with the the aptly titled “Running Through Woodland”, the track sets a menacing pace with layers of guitars and cellos. “Hidden Beneath” is driven by a stomping pulse and delightful percussion. Plenty of glock action and viola sweeps, uplifting choral vocals and delicate piano lines, this is Jerome at his finest yet, showcasing a brilliant melodic ability, combining classical instrumentation into a folk/pop structure taking cues from bands such as Explosions in the Sky. This is an album that will leave you speechless every time you listen as you uncover new hidden details, textures and melodies. I couldn’t be prouder to release this.
500 copies on CD housed in an arigato pak, with insert. Hand numbered, each with an individual old photograph and all wrapped in brown paper, hand stamped and tied with string, which perfectly compliments the music."
This record left our Phil feeling ecstatic.
Message To Bears I know sod all about. I remember hearing the last single and thought it was OK but I wasn't particularly taken by it. The new album Departures arrived early this week wrapped up in string and brown paper and I took it upon myself to check it out forthwith as it looked amazing. The 2nd time I heard it I was totally blown away. I had the whole goose pimple bumpy arm thing which I rarely get with new music these days. It's gorgeous acoustic guitar music punctuated by some neo classical beauty. There's some amazing tracks on here.. check out Pretend To Forget though you don't get to hear the strings come in which totally haunt you (the downside with 30 second clips...). It's a beautiful piece of music. Throughout the album there's moments of sheer delight as the guitar and classical instrumentation (albeit produced on a computer) work hand in hand perfectly. Some of the strings and chord progressions veer on the mardy side and remind me a bit of Max Richter at times. It's all very emotive and moving. One or 2 of the tracks sound a wee bit like Tunng with the clicky electronics and acoustic guitar situation. Parts of it remind me of the Harps Old Master album by Phelan Sheppard and I think if you're a fan of that particular thing of lovelyness you'll like this. It's a complete fucking delight if I'm honest and it comes with my complete recommendation. Absolutely fantastic and I implore you to check it out!!" - Norman Records (album of the week)
"Jerome Alexander's (aka Message To Bears) first mini-album got full marks here, and he's done it again on another limited-run, hand-crafted CD. Sparkling acoustic guitars weave around heart-stopping cellos and haunting ambient effects to give the audio equivalent of dew-drops on grass turning into jewels at sunrise. Simply stunning." - Mixmag Magazine
I've uploaded a new song (a remix), would love for you to give me some feedback. I really dig your stuff, actually I downloaded Departures... so melancholic! I'm trying to have some more acoustic guitars in my new tracks...
Hey Hey MTB and the cubs! How goes it!? Just been checking out the gig in London, looks like there are some groovy acts on! Wish I was there as one of the cubs for the night!
Dear Mr. Bears, I would very much like to see you perform live. Unfortunately, London is so far away for me at the moment that I cannot make it. Thank you for the kind invitation, though. I like your music very much, it helps me with my studies. Kind regards, Robert
P.s I think uv already spoken to fran.. he said you made some good music.. I hadnt listened til jus now coz im going through all our comments.. i really like it man, chilled as. Josh x
Hey J-Rome! Now that we can finally show you the true TL sound have a listen, and start imagining the potential of Message To Liesel. Share the vision!
- Mixmag
