Why did Grizzly Bear reunite after eight years? ‘We needed to see who else we were’

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Around twenty years ago, Grizzly Bear unexpectedly became one of the leading bands of the early 2000s indie rock scene, a time when the genre still felt fresh and exploratory. What started as a solo project by Ed Droste in his Brooklyn bedroom quickly grew with the addition of Chris Taylor, Daniel Rossen, and Christopher Bear. Their dreamy, folk-influenced sound captured the uncertain feelings of being in your early twenties – a time of trying new things, taking chances, and feeling both optimistic and unsure about the future.

After a break of eight years, the members of Grizzly Bear are back, now older and with lives that have taken them in different directions. They’re performing a small number of shows, including their first in Los Angeles for six years on Wednesday at the Shrine, and are open to creating new music, but they’re focusing on reconnecting with each other through playing together and seeing where that leads.

Grizzly Bear has always been authentic – what you see is what you get: four relatable guys who prefer plaid shirts, comfortable pants, and practical shoes. Despite their humble beginnings, they unexpectedly became leaders of a musical movement. They came to represent a turning point for indie music, a moment when it broke into the mainstream – signaled by stars like Beyoncé and Jay-Z attending their concert in 2012. From playing in Brooklyn lofts, they achieved top-ten albums, had their music featured in Super Bowl commercials, opened for Radiohead, and briefly made indie rock feel like the dominant force in music.

Even at the peak of their popularity, the constant touring – with its less glamorous realities like bus toilets and hotel room meals – and the pressure of public attention started to wear them down. Rossen, now speaking after years away from the public eye, explains that there wasn’t a dramatic split. “We simply needed some space to rediscover ourselves as individuals, outside of being in the band.” For a long time, none of them wanted to revisit that chapter of their lives.

It’s been eight years since Grizzly Bear released their last album, “Painted Ruins” in 2017, and the band members have been pursuing separate paths since then. Droste completely stepped away from music to become a therapist in Los Angeles. Rossen moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he raised a daughter, released his own music, and worked with Bear on the film “Past Lives.” Bear himself became a busy composer for film and television, while Taylor focused on producing. The band had naturally reached a point where they stopped touring and recording regularly. As Rossen explains, there were valid reasons for the break, but with a strong collection of songs, it felt wrong to never perform them again.

Each member of the band had a different reason for wanting to play Grizzly Bear songs again. Rossen explained that he’d finally reached a point where he could appreciate the music with fresh ears, admitting it felt good to step back and look at it. Revisiting the old material proved to be an emotional experience, and he found he’d actually gained a new appreciation for how beautiful the songs truly were after some time away from them.

The band’s lead singer was the most hesitant about getting back together. He worried about facing criticism again, admitting, “I didn’t want to put something out there and then be stressed about what people would think.” He now feels more prepared to deal with reviews. At the same time, Droste, who has been working various therapy jobs, finally had some free time. The other band members had asked about reuniting several times over the years, but it never felt like the right moment—until now. And to make things even better, Victoria Legrand from Beach House—a band they’ve always been close to—agreed to join their shows. Droste calls that “the cherry on top.”

Grizzly Bear reunited earlier this year, spending eight days rehearsing in a soundstage in Los Angeles. It took a little while to get back into the groove after being apart for eight years, but they eventually found their rhythm. Droste dedicated around eight or nine hours each day to singing, which was especially intense considering he rarely sings – even admitting he barely listens to music. He isn’t sure why. Over time, the band’s connection to music and their own voices has evolved; they’ve become something like seasoned, slightly rough-around-the-edges vocalists, but still create harmonious and lovely music.

After being separated for a while, the band members feel refreshed and aren’t putting as much pressure on themselves. According to Rossen, they’ve learned to respect each other’s limits, which has made things much easier. Droste’s experience as a therapist has also helped him grow personally. He explains that understanding yourself is a natural part of the job, leading to a better understanding of what he needs to stay healthy and productive. He adds with a chuckle that this has led to the best working relationships the band has ever had.

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Their dedication to connection extends to how they tour. With rising costs and a challenging music industry post-pandemic, they’ve intentionally made choices to prioritize the quality of the experience. A key example is choosing not to use a tour bus, believing the joy of performing live should outweigh the physical demands of travel.

Grizzly Bear’s first few years were about coming together and creating a sound that was both unified and intensely intimate. Now, after time apart, they’re focused on finding their balance again. Their recent performances feature songs from throughout their career, but they especially highlight tracks from “Horn of Plenty” – the raw, early demos that came before they became a bigger band. This feels like a natural progression for them.

Now that most of the band members are nearing 50, they’re eager to rediscover the excitement and boldness they felt when they were younger. They want to approach creating music with the same sense of adventure and open-mindedness that once fueled their creativity.

Playing their first shows in New York City in October brought back that familiar feeling – the energy of being on stage. The experience was a complete rush of sound and light, with the crowd roaring and the bass vibrating through them. This was a big change for Rossen, who has been living a quiet, home-centered life recently. However, after a few shows, he’s started to get used to it. “It’s intense,” Rossen admits, “but it’s been incredible to rediscover that I can still perform as a musician.”

Rossen’s daughter finally had a chance to see him perform, and it meant a lot to him. He shared, “It was wonderful for her to realize I have a life and career outside of home.” Their children have also now met, adding another special moment for both families.

I’ve always loved Grizzly Bear because they felt like a band that truly believed in the power of collaboration – a group of friends making something real and meaningful without compromising who they were. It’s sad that the initial excitement of that indie rock moment faded, but what I admire most is how they’ve come back stronger, sounding better than ever. They’ve found a way to create beautiful music on their own terms, and they finally seem comfortable and happy doing it – just four guys making incredible art.

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2025-11-11 23:02