Giant Bear returns to our neck of the woods

Giant Bear will return to Shreveport this Friday for a show at Jackrabbit Lounge. The performance will kick off two months of touring for the Tennessee band. The tour includes dates at South By Southwest, an appearance on My Old Kentucky Blog's Sirius Radio podcast and the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. The show starts at 10 p.m. and there's a $5 cover charge.

Following the tour Giant Bear will return to the Memphis' Sun Studio to record their follow-up to last year's self-titled LP.

Expect to see more national Indie acts in town in the coming months. Several bands are scheduling stops in Shreveport on their way to South By Southwest in Austin, Texas. Here's a previous write up on Giant Bear from when the group played here almost exactly a year ago.

Giant Bear blends genres

When Giant Bear combines rock, folk and funk with classical music they create a sound all their own called "orchestral funkability."

The Memphis, Tenn., band will stop tonight at Lil' Joe's Bottleneck in Shreveport as part of their "New American Wilderness" tour.

"Our music has really rootsy elements to it, but the beat is driven and danceable. I guess that's where the funkability comes in," band member Mike Larrivee said.

Having released its first full-length album in the spring, Giant Bear is in the process of recording a second album. Tonight's live performance will blend fan favorites with a preview of new songs as well.

Giant Bear was named the critic's pick at the Midpoint Music Festival. The band also has been invited to perform a slew of other festivals including the Joshua Tree Music Festival, The Wilderness Fest in Big Sur, Calif., The International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., and the Organic Farm Aid Festival.