The online, independent music scene can be overwhelming. After signing up with MySpace, most users find themselves dodging new artists with delete and block buttons. Despite the exorbitant amount of new music available on the Web, a few select artists are able to protrude, offering music fans something the majors can't.
Meet Podington Bear. Although the name sounds familiar, this cute cub is not a children's book character. P Bear (as he is also called) is an anonymous and ambitious musician who releases electronic songs via podcast three times a week -- every week -- all year long. At that rate, he'll produce a whopping 156 songs in 2007.
Five months in, the Bear has created quite the buzz. "If you make music yourself, you'll probably either feel inspired by or grow jealous of Podington Bear," Wired magazine's Eliot Van Buskirk wrote. NPR compared Podington to the Aphex Twins and Brian Eno, adding, "he or she shares their ability to inject heart into a genre that can be icy and clinical by nature."
Despite the desire for anonymity, Podington agreed to a phone interview. The artist is based in Portland, and is a he. But that's all the personal details P Bear is willing to share. Podington has no plans to reveal his true identity this year, but says that he's been involved with music for the past decade. This is his first time hiding behind a mysterious identity, and he says that beyond a gimmick, it's an opportunity to recreate.
The Podington Bear project was inspired by the popular explodingdog.com, which features drawings inspired by titles e-mailed into artist Sam Brown. Podington decided to explore the idea of combining art, the Internet, and syndication.
P Bear started creating music a few years ago in the winter of 2003-2004. Last New Year's Eve, he decided it was time to share his work. "I think someone, somewhere will like these."
With 4,000 subscribers, Podington says the response has been great. And this is without much self-promotion. His audience is a result of word of mouse and press coverage.
Podington Bear's music is quite simple. Using only a keyboard, headphones and music creation apps Reason and Live, he creates appealing, instrumental landscapes. "If you think you're hearing a real instrument, you're not" he says. Podington has a hard time describing his sound, as most artists do, but offers up "electronic and melodic." P. Bear is a natural talent, self taught when it comes to music and computers. However, he admits that he did play trumpet for a year in primary school.
A release schedule of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout 2007 is demanding. Surprisingly, Podington admits he is never more than two songs ahead. Most of the tracks start as song seedlings that are nurtured, but none are done ahead of time. "Each post is a deadline, I work up to the minute often."
For May, Podington has been sharing what he describes as "song portraits". These are tributes to some of his favourite artists including Bjork, Thom Yorke, LCD Soundsystem, and Mouse on Mars. "I like to adopt various keynotes or aspects of other people's work that I admire, and see if I can get away with something like it. As well as give it a little twist."
He is secretive when asked about future podcasts, only revealing a teaser. "I'm working on some remixes and another month of tracks with vocals."
Podcasting is a personal medium, offering users custom programming and portability. Podington chose podcasting as his means of distribution because he feels it makes it easier for listeners to participate. "There's just the one technological hurdle — for the user to click on the button." He feels that podcasts allow him to build a relationship with his creative expression. "It's like getting a magazine subscription, but with songs."
Podington's brand extends to a MySpace page and website featuring a blog, t-shirts and a box set. He says with a laugh that the box set came from a moment of delusion. Why pay for something that is free? Podington sees the irony, and says it's a gamble. He didn't do any market research into the idea of a box set, but says there are enough people interested to cover the costs incurred so far.
Podingtonbear.com also has a section welcoming tips and donations. He has only received one donation to date, but admits that he didn't have any expectations. Even Prince wasn't successful with the tip format.
He does welcome song licensing, saying it would be "pretty cool." Beyond that, the podcast will end when the year does. "I'm seeing this as a finite thing. I can't sustain this after a year."
P Bear is humble, with no goals beyond completion. "I don't have the grand goal of being a fulltime musician," Podington explains. "I'd like to have a small income from it, that would be really nice."
Like the friendly cartoon bear his name suggests, Podington is simply a playful artist. "I just have fun making these little tunes."
Jennifer Hollett is a broadcast journalist and freelance writer.
