AAA Backstage got to catch up with Pear (real name Steph Lees) of Pear and the Awkward Orchestra to discuss all things music, travel, vegan cooking and daschunds!
I gotta ask - Where does the name ‘Pear and the Awkward Orchestra” come from? Is it linear or…?
The name comes from me loving pears and their sweet juiciness as well as guitars being pear shaped. So for me they’re very connected to the type of music I make. The awkward orchestra part came from having some orchestral instruments at different times and from changing the line-up all the time to stay fresh and explore new and exciting instrumentation and arrangements live and in the studio.
Triple J Unearthed has given the band an opportunity to showcase your quirky and personal tone to a wider audience- how has being a part of the family shaped your career so far?
It’s been great, really enjoying being exposed to a wider audience and all the odd and amazing coincidences that brings, lots of new faces at gigs and lots of interesting people to connect with.
There have been comparisons of your band to the sweet melancholy vocals of Regina Spector and the slow burn of Bon Iver- What music has influenced your unique sound?
You know, my three favourite things to listen to are the Pixies, Sigur Ros and old jazz standards so I’m not really sure how they all came together to make my sound but I’m very glad they did. I really enjoy listening to a lot of different people, particularly digging the Dirty Projectors and TV on the Radio at the moment. I’m pretty chuffed to hear a comparison with Regina Spector and Bon Iver though, thanks very much whoever said that!
Your debut album “Smocks” has garnered great reviews, any chance of heading back to the studio to record a follow-up?
Definitely, I’m bringing a couple of new songs on the road and am just waiting for their friends to show up to head back in. Can’t say when but I can say it won’t be too long, I can’t wait.
I’ve read that Stephanie Lees is an amateur vegan dessert chef- what delicious baked goods are always a hit with the band?
I do like to bake with fruit and coconut, let’s see, I made some coconut, peach and lime cupcakes for a rehearsal last week and they went down quite well with the guys.
Last year saw Pear travel overseas to New York and Canada- How was the local reception and was it exciting to share your music with an international audience?
It was such a fantastic experience, to take my songs and have a good response across the States and Canada. I guess it’s hard to know before you go if what you’re doing is inherently connected to your country or if it’s relatable to everyone. I’m heading over again later this year for Round Two.
You’re doing a string of dates in and around your hometown of Brisbane during February, what can new fans expect from your shows on the “Castles” tour?
Well, the show I’m most excited about home town wise is a special acoustic show at an amazing vintage store in Annerley, we’re having a barbeque and baked goods party and we’re going to record the show as well so it will be heaps fun. Then we’re taking the Castle tour on the road down south, we’ve just done the Sunshine and Gold coasts and we’ll be heading to Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne later in the month.
Describe your dream gig… Intimate gathering or headlining a fantastic festival?
Oh that’s so hard! How about this: an intimate headline show at a fantastic festival where everyone feels like they’re not too far away from what’s happening. That would be my dream gig for sure.
If Pear and the Awkward Orchestra was an animal, what would it be?
Probably a daschund, I might just be saying that because I’m slightly obsessed, but also because they’re adorably awkward and very enthusiastic!
