SLO LIFE Magazine Jun/Jul 2019

Upcoming Shows
Molly Malones . Los Angeles . June 7
Harmony Cellars . Harmony . June 14
The Siren . Morro Bay . June 21
Fernwood . Big Sur . June 22
The Crêpe Place . Santa Cruz . June 23
Claiborne & Churchill Winery . SLO . June 28
Talley Vineyards . Arroyo Grande . June 30
Tooth & Nail Winery . Paso Robles . July 19
Midstate Fair . Paso Robles . July 20
Led by the vocal talents of Brianna Lee,
B & the Hive charge forward fearlessly
in their musical pursuits. Without
missing a beat, the group expertly
navigates the line between bombastic and reserved with striking
effect, eloquently transitioning from more upbeat jams such as
their recent “Give Love,” to brooding, slow-burning ballads like
their cover of Chris Isaak’s 1989 single “Wicked Game.”
In the hands of a fledgling band, these constant shifts in energy
could easily become muddled and detract from the group’s
artistry. But in the hands of B & the Hive, they only serve to
heighten the experience and bring depth to the music. This
diverse range of sounds is what makes B & the Hive’s music so
gripping, on the stage and off.
Originally formed eight years ago in San Francisco by Lee and
Los Osos native Josh Barrett, B & the Hive ultimately decided to
lay down roots on the Central Coast and start building their lineup.
In time, Lee and Barrett connected with the blossoming local
scene, while also reconnecting with friends they had previously
made in the area, slowly growing the band into what it is today.
Eventually, drummer Hayden Gardner, keyboardist Hannah
Joy-Brooke, and lead guitarist Erik Novak all found their place
in the Hive, playing alongside Lee on vocals/guitar with Barrett
handling bass and audio production. With their musical family
complete, Lee and Barrett wasted no time in booking shows in
SLO, Seattle, and all the way to Nashville, opening for Alanis
Morirsette, The Goo Goo Dolls, Elvis Costello, Ben Harper,
Chris Isaak, and others.
Despite having maintained a nearly nonstop schedule over the
last few months, Lee and Barrett are committed to an equally
strenuous year ahead. With their line-up solidified, they say they
are finally able to record the substantial amount of material they
have built up over the last few months, while also doubling down
on tours throughout the West Coast.
Most recently, they recorded a music video at Tooth & Nail Winery in
Paso Robles and will be releasing a brand new single called “Phases”
in the coming weeks. In honor of the single’s release they will also be
performing a special show at The Siren in Morro Bay on June 21st
planned to coincide with this year’s summer solstice. In addition to the
solstice show there are numerous other tour dates scheduled throughout
the coming months, spanning much of the Central Coast as well as Los
Angeles and Santa Cruz.
B & the Hive is truly a family band with Lee and Barrett having been
together now for more than a decade and married for the last several
years. When asked about the difficulties that one would assume must
arise when working with a spouse, the pair couldn’t help but grin. While
they concede that work-life balance can be troublesome at times, they
insist that it’s no harder to maintain while working together than it is for
other couples that work separately.
In fact, the music and the relationship naturally came to support each
other, as Lee and Barrett’s passion for the music and for each other’s
company facilitated an incredibly deep collaborative environment that
is constantly accessible and always developing. This, in tandem with
Barrett’s audio production background, as
well as the couples home studio, streamlines
the band’s creative process and lends itself
to the remarkable diversity found in B & the
Hive’s music.
This summer is looking to be an exciting one
for this remarkable group of musicians. With B
& the Hive’s extensive touring schedule, there
is no shortage of opportunities to see them and
witness one of the most exciting groups in the
area right now. On top of that, the volume of
new material this band is set to release, along
with their already robust collection of previously
released music, is more than enough to satisfy
anyone who is a fan of the local scene and
looking to find their next favorite band. SLO LIFE
Los Angeles born, SLO County
raised, SHAWN STRONG’s
passion for the local music
scene and artists that have
created it, fuels his writing and
drives his commitment to living
the SLO Life.
JUN/JUL 2019 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | 39