Indie Rock Hit Parade Live Session: Chinese American Bear
The Seattle band performs songs from their new album, Dim Sum & Then Some, live in our studio
Chinese American Bear | photo by Paige Walter for WXPN
Joining us in the studio for this Indie Rock Hit Parade live session is a group whose multicultural approach to pop is universally irresistible. Led by Anne Tong and Bryce Barsten, Chinese American Bear have been favorites in the Seattle scene since forming in 2020. Tong and Barsten’s partnership runs much deeper, though; the couple first met as high school students in Spokane, and their life experiences color the band’s playful lyrics.
Chinese American Bear’s latest album, Dim Sum & Then Some, offers some of their most effervescent material yet. At the very start of their summer tour, the group (which also features drummer Rex Liu) stopped by our studios to perform a selection of new songs, along with a standout from their 2024 LP, Wah!!!. As a special bonus, the trio is further joined by violinist Brianna Leary on two of the performances.