Countless bands have cited the Beatles as inspiration, but few have recaptured their early sound with the same attention to detail as The Last Bees.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Ian Ash- lead vocals, guitars, keyboards

Chivo- bass, backing vocals

Brian Farvour- drums

For starters, what bands were you a part of prior to The Last Bees? How long has the band been around?

I have always been a solo artist, and have played and written music since I was a kid.  Throughout the years, I have performed with back-up musicians when needed, and as a solo singer/songwriter show.  In the last few years, it was me (as Ian Ash) and at one point we dubbed the band “The Dream” - so often times we would be billed just as that: Ian and the Dream.

This worked for my solo shows and I enjoy playing with these back up musicians very much.  Only recently did I decide to actually shy away from a solo career and jump into a more unified band environment… The Last Bees (band concept) has always been in me, but I never felt like the music I was playing fit the concept of what I imagined The Last Bees would become. 

I dug deep for a while and really search inside myself exploring exactly what it was I loved about music… and alas, what I kept coming back to all the time was the early British sound and lo-fi pop explosion that was the reason I fell in love with music in the first place.  I locked myself in my music room, and wrote the entire EP in under 2 weeks.  I recorded every instrument and sang every word.  It’s amazing how once you find your real passion, it just comes out of you effortlessly.  Hence The Last Bees was founded. 

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

 This is my first real band endeavor after years of being a solo musician and playing with backing musicians. I want my band to feel a part of this new direction and I welcome their input more than ever.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

I write all the songs.  I want to sing about life, love, heartbreak, and on occasionally  get really deep with songs like  "True or False”, where I come from an angle of being crushed and heartbroken by a horrible person. I also write about themes like perseverance, staying positive, or reflecting on people's motives. Absolutely, the topics change over time because I as a person am constantly evolving.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making? 

Besides the Beatles, there's modern artists like JD McPherson that have a great retro sound. I was inspired by what Greta Van Fleet is doing- it made me want to go and write music in a throwback style. I also like Pokey LaFarge, Tame Impala, and Weezer

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Definitely The Beatles. When I came home and saw my parents watching The Beatles anthology on TV- I was hooked and music was all that mattered from that point forward.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

I always do my vocal warm-ups. I have a routine that works well for me that I got from my voice teacher years ago. Other than that, I just make sure my head is in the right place- I might meditate a bit or visualize how I want the show to go.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?  

We are just getting started.  Ask me this again in a year. :) Though, co-writing with Jim Peterik (author of “Eye of The Tiger”, “Vehicle” and others) currently ranks up there!

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

I'd want to hit the road with Oasis, if they ever re-unite! We'd hit it off on our mutual love for The Beatles, and maybe Noel Gallagher and I would have some fun mocking some artists we feel are less than inspired. But really, who wouldn't want to party with those guys?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Not today :)