Inside the Making of “Purple”: An Interview with Cudbear’s Bennett Jones
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of seeing this explosively energetic and yet hauntingly melodic three-piece, do yourself a favour and look up their next live performance.
Cudbear, from Barrie, has just released their latest album, Purple, marking a pivotal moment in their journey.
From navigating lineup changes to refining their creative process, frontman Bennett Jones offers insight into the making of the album, their evolving sound, and the challenges of being an independent band. In this conversation with The Indie Distributor, Bennett reflects on the band’s growth, their approach to songwriting, and what’s next for Cudbear. Dive into this candid discussion to discover the inspiration behind Purple and the band’s plans for the future.
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The Indie Distributor: We’re here with Bennett from the incredible three-piece Cudbear from Barrie. They’ve just released a new record called Purple, and it’s fabulous. Bennett, I wanted to ask you a few questions about the record and your experience making it.
When talking to musicians who’ve been through the recording process a few times, the decision to compile everything into a full LP is always interesting. Was this something you planned in advance, gathering singles into an album, or was there a different process behind Purple?
Bennett Jones: This record was a bit unusual. We found out our drummer wanted to pursue something else, and at that point, we had written so much music. I really pushed to make a record because I didn’t want those songs to go unrecorded. I don’t have regrets, but I do wish we had recorded even more music when we were a unit—we probably had enough for two albums at the time.
Purple ended up being the best selection of what we had. Some songs were written when the band first formed, and others came just months before we went into the studio. It’s a mix of old and new, but I think the flow works well, and it captures everything we wanted to say at that moment.
The Indie Distributor: It’s a current statement. Between your 2019 release and now, you’ve gained a lot of experience. What did you learn in the process?
Bennett Jones: Every record has been different. We also did an EP in between, and when looking at our discography, we were reflecting on which project was the most fun and what direction we want to go next. I don’t have a favourite, but *First Bite* has a youthful angst to it—we were 19 or 20 at the time. That energy is something we’re trying to channel again.
I’ve learned to always be writing and recording. You never know when you’ll need to put together another album, and when that time comes, you want to be prepared. Our EP was a bit more experimental, like the piano-driven song that transitions into electric. It was fun, but I prefer concise, clear artistic statements. Purple is direct and in-your-face, and I like that.
The Indie Distributor: That clarity really comes through. Do you have a new drummer now?
Bennett Jones: Yes, we brought in Keegan Ross. He also plays in Gout and O27, but he’s now part of Cudbear. We went on tour in 2024 and did everything independently—we don’t have a tour manager or label. This year, we’re planning more shows and looking at the possibility of working with a label or management team. Most of the artists we admire have some kind of team supporting them, and we’ve started to consider that as a next step. Ideally, we’d love to make a living off of music, touring half the year and writing in between.
The Indie Distributor: That transition isn’t easy. It’s a shift in autonomy, and indie artists have to be ready for that. On Purple, did you work with a producer?
Bennett Jones: We worked with Zach Johnson. He produced and mixed the record. He was great to work with, especially for me because I like doing a lot of overdubs and harmonies. He made the tracking process smooth and efficient. We’ve always referred to our collaborators as engineers rather than producers since we bring in fully formed songs. A producer, to me, is someone who shapes the sound and pushes the band in new directions.
The Indie Distributor: That makes sense. So, do you have physical copies of the album?
Bennett Jones: Yes! We pressed 200 CDs through Indie Pool in Toronto. CDs still sell well at shows, along with T-shirts. Even though CD players are becoming rare, people still collect them, and they’re an affordable option for bands.
The Indie Distributor: Purple is an intriguing title. What’s behind that name?
Bennett Jones: It just felt right. After coming home from the studio, I kept thinking that Purple captured the emotion of the record perfectly. Interestingly, Cudbear is also the name of a purple dye, which was a coincidental but fitting connection.
The Indie Distributor: That’s a cool fact! What’s your songwriting process like? Do you write together in a room, or do you bring ideas individually?
Bennett Jones: Ideally, we write together because that’s what rock and roll is—people in a room, sometimes irritating each other, channelling that energy into music. But it varies. Sometimes Adam and I hash out ideas and bring them to the drummer. Other times, I’ll take something as far as I can before presenting it at practice. We haven’t found a perfect formula yet.
The Indie Distributor: That’s fair—sometimes keeping it flexible is the best approach. What’s next for Cudbear?
Bennett Jones: We’re tracking new songs and have about half an album done. We’ve been playing some unreleased songs live, and people have been asking for recordings, so we’re considering a Purple deluxe edition or starting a new album. We also met a producer at Gussapolooza, Sig Freed Mier, and we’re hoping to work with him this year.
Beyond that, we want to keep playing shows and figuring out ways to fund our music. We’ve talked about doing some cover gigs since they pay well and could help sustain our original work.
The Indie Distributor: That’s always a balance—deciding how much time to dedicate to covers versus original material. Given how much the industry has changed since 2019, do you have any advice for emerging artists?
Bennett Jones: Focus on the music first—practice every day. There are more resources than ever, but the industry is also more saturated. The key is to not give up. If you take yourself seriously, others will too. Stay professional and persistent.
The Indie Distributor: That’s solid advice. Any upcoming shows?
Bennett Jones: We’re playing the Queens Hotel in Barrie on March 15th, and we’ll be back at Gussapolooza in 2025 as a headliner. It’s going to be a great weekend!
The Indie Distributor: Awesome! Thanks for your time, Bennett. Purple sounds fantastic, and we’ll be promoting it so more people hear it. Where can people follow Cudbear?
Bennett Jones: Instagram is the best place right now. We’re also on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.
The Indie Distributor: Perfect. Thanks again, Bennett!