Bleachbear: The Boundary-Breaking All-Girl Indie Rock Band
Bleachbear, an all-girl indie rock band, has been making waves in the local Seattle music scene with their dreamy, yet slightly grungy sound, fierce female presence and their ultimate love for making music. Since 2012, Tigerlily Cooley (vocals and guitar), Annabella Bird Cooley (drums) and Emiko Nakagawa Gantt (bass and keyboards) have been making music inspired by talents they grew up listening to such as Roy Orbison and Nirvana. Most importantly, as three high school musicians, they continue to break the mold of the typical music scene that usually caters to older, much more experienced artists. They have proven that with music age is not a boundary.
In 2014, they were named “Seattle’s Best Underage Band” by Seattle Weekly along with receiving airplay on KEXP, college radio, and even international stations. They have performed at various venues including The Vera Project, The Crocodile, Neumos, Folklife Festival, and The Fremont Fair. In 2015, they were also finalists at the EMP Sound Off!, which is the premiere 21 and under battle of the bands in the Pacific Northwest.
As one of my personal favorite local bands, I was very excited to get to interview these lovely ladies. Check it out!
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What is the story behind the name Bleachbear?
Tigerlily: We came up with the name Bleachbear as a reference to two music genres that we grew up on and that inspire our music: “Bleach” is a reference to Nirvana’s album Bleach and the ‘90’s grunge scene here in Seattle, and “bear” is a reference to the folk scene in the Pacific Northwest and our love of the outdoors.
For anyone who has not listened to your music, how would you describe it in 5 words?
Tigerlily: Glittery, angsty, catchy, nostalgic, distortion
Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations?
Tigerlily: Our musical inspirations have changed a lot over time. When I was writing our first album “Lost Parade” I was largely influenced by local bands like The Head and the Heart as well as singer-songwriters like Ingrid Michaelson. With the new record “Cowboy Movie Star” however I was inspired by 1960s girl groups like The Ronnettes and surf bands like Best Coast.
Why do you think it’s important to support the local Pacific Northwest music scene?
Tigerlily: It’s important because the music coming out of the Pacific Northwest has historically been pivotal, and it continues to be! Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Bikini Kill, Pearl Jam, The Head and the Heart, Death Cab for Cutie—the list of killer groups that have emerged from the Pacific Northwest goes on and on.
What has been the hardest thing about getting your music out in the music scene? What has been the most rewarding aspect of the process?
Tigerlily: The hardest part has been gaining publicity and a following. The benefit of the rise of social media and DIY music recording software like Garage Band is that anyone who wants to become a musician can! The downside is the industry is flooded with music and thus it’s competitive to break free from the masses. The most rewarding aspect of the process for me is after shows when I get to meet fans. I especially love signing autographs for other aspiring, young, female musicians!
Emiko: It’s hard because there are so many people in the industry that many people will automatically brush you off and not take you seriously. I think this has been especially true for us since we’re so young. However, it’s really rewarding to be able to share your music and perform with other bands in an interconnected community.
What is something not many people know about you?
Tigerlily: As a band, not many people know we are all in high school! Personally, not many people know that I finally got around to taking swim lessons my freshman year of high school. Guess I was too busy learning how to play guitar and stuff to learn how to swim.
Bird: In fourth grade I went a full year listening solely to The Beatles, nothing else. They were the only band on my hot pink iPod Nano at the time so that was it! I have all of Abbey Road memorized- song order and all!
Emiko: I am really good at making cupcakes!
What is your band’s favorite song that you’ve made and why?
Tigerlily: Mine is the new single “Sunken Submarine” off our album “Cowboy Movie Star” coming out this June! I always thought girl guitarists who play guitar solos are super badass so one of my goals with this album was to include some guitar solos, and this song has one!
Bird: One of my all-time favorite Bleachbear songs would have to be “Circus,” which is also off “Cowboy Movie Star.” It is definitely one of our most bouncy, lighthearted songs and its super fun to drum. It also has a really cool vintage-y feel to it, which I love.
Emiko: Mine is the title-track of our new album, “Cowboy Movie Star.” The feel is really fun and danceable and always manages to put me in a good mood. It’s also super fun song to perform.
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Bleachbear is redefining what it means to be a young, passionate, and very inclined band in the Pacific Northwest. I definitely recommend you keep your eyes out for what they do next, as I expect they are only going up from here. Their newest album, Cowboy Movie Star, will be released in June. But for now, check out the single, “Sunken Submarine!”