By Helen Clarke
Humanity Hallows caught up with London-based band Eliza And The Bear at Fopp Manchester after a pre-gig acoustic set and album signing.
James Kellengher (lead vocals, guitar), Callie Noakes (vocals, keyboards), Martin Dukelow (vocals, guitar), Chris Brand (bass), Paul Kevin Jackson (drums) took centre stage and performed acoustic versions of “Oxygen”, “Friend” and “Light It Up”. The intimate space of the ground floor of the record shop gave fans a chance to experience their raw talent.
After the pre-gig signing at Fopp, the evening moved across to Manchester Academy 3. The room was alive with the sound of Model Aeroplanes and the crowd grew louder at the arrival of Eliza And The Bear.
The boys played a flawless set and, very keen to interact with the room, attempted to start a rave complete with strobe lights and Callie’s new favourite keyboard sound.
They played their two biggest hits, “Friends” and “Light It Up“, mixed with beautiful medleys. “It Gets Cold“, had everyone singing their lungs out both in the academy and on the 42 bus home – Or as it was sung by tipsy Manchester students, “It get coooooowld”.
Humanity Hallows caught up with the band for a quick interview:
Humanity Hallows: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
James: I had no idea, up until I was 16 I didn’t know. I just wanted to have a laugh.
Callie: I just wanted to see thirty (years-old) and go from there.
Chris: I wanted to be a rockstar!
Paul: I wanted to be a veterinarian.
Martin: I wanted to be known as ‘Quick Hand Dookie’.
HH: A mixed group of ambitions you might say, but they led each member to a successful band. Did you guys go to university?
James: No, none of us did except Callie.
HH: Which university did you go to Callie?
Callie: Salford University, I spent a lot of time there so it kind of became a second home.
HH: What do you think of the Manchester music scene?
James: We love it, yeah it’s great. It’s our second best selling town actually, Manchester.
Martin: I don’t think I know any Manchester bands.
Callie: Oasis! They’re from Manchester.
HH: What is your spirit animal?
James: Anna Kendrick. I know because someone asked me this the other day.
Martin: Does it have to be an animal?
HH: No, it can be whatever you want.
Chris: A banana, I’ll be a banana.
As you probably noticed by now, no-one in the band is called Eliza. Their name comes from a collection of poems by Eleanor Rees called Eliza And The Bear.
All in all, it was a great acoustic set and a phenomenal gig.
Humanity Hallows had an awesome time and think these lads will go on to do great things. Eliza And The Bear are definitely a band to keep an eye on! Check out elizaandthebear.com for more.
Photography: Helen Clarke
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