Reed Calhoun and Sam Kearney first began their music collaboration ten years ago. But it was short-lived experience; the two were kicked out of their rehearsal studio after a week for being ‘too loud’ according to the landlord. Soon afterwards, Kearney joined the popular band Alberta Cross as a guitarist.

But after a few years of in-fighting and the hardships of constant touring, Kearny decided to leave the band. The first person he called was Calhoun. Though the two had previously collaborated for only a short time, the musical bond they formed was strong enough to bring them back together to pick up where they left off, and Calhoun, who also left a turbulent band, settled in Austin and the Bee Caves were formed. We’re so glad the guys got back together.

The pair locked themselves in a room and performed over and over with a freestyle approach, mixing genres including experimental, folk, psychedelic, rock and avant garde. Eventually they produced a handful of terrific songs for their DIY debut EP, Animals With Religion. Standout tracks like the folksy “Running Home To You” and the placid “Black Mason Hills” prove just how important Bee Caves is to the DIY scene.

The EP also features White Denim drummer Josh Block with mixing and mastering by Jim Vollentine (Spoon, Trail of Dead, Alberta Cross, White Denim, Heartless Bastards). Kearny lists the the duo’s musical inspirations to include Nick Drake, The Beatles, Bjork, David Bowie, Radiohead, and My Bloody Valentine.

-Indierockcafe.com