Meet Alberto Kanost, the soulful indie-folk artist behind Bear in the Forest. Born in New Orleans and raised in Milwaukee, Alberto shares his journey from learning guitar in middle school to finding his voice as a singer-songwriter inspired by nature, spirituality, and activism. In this intimate Meet the Artist feature, he talks about how Bear in the Forest began as a high school talent show name, evolved through years of self-taught guitar via YouTube, and grew into a unique sound he calls “gospel folk” — blending heartfelt storytelling, earthy spirituality, and indie-folk rhythms. Influenced by legends like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Laura Marling, Tallest Man on Earth, Mumford & Sons, and Bon Iver, Alberto’s music celebrates connection — to each other, to the land, and to the magic of simply being alive. 🎶 “I want people to feel joy, to feel a deeper connection to life and the earth — to feel the magic of being.”

“Wild Rice Flower” is a love song born from the meeting of spirit, land, and resistance. It tells the story of falling in love with someone whose heart is rooted in care—for people, for the earth, and for the living traditions that sustain both.

The song was inspired by a real connection that began at a protest for the Palestinian movement and deepened through shared work in environmental justice in Madison. She studies and plants wild rice—manoomin—and tends to the land with reverence and love. There was something sacred about that intersection: the care for community, the care for the planet, and the way love can bloom through both.

Written in a reflective, folk-inspired style, “Wild Rice Flower” weaves themes of nature, ancestry, and belonging. It’s about how the world can feel vast and heavy, yet still hold moments of tenderness that remind us of what’s worth protecting.

🎶 “You were the wild rice flower woman, saw you in my dreams… we are the wild rice flowers blooming.”

This song is a celebration of connection—to each other, to the land, and to the spirit that moves through both.

If you connect with this piece, please like, comment, and share it with someone who believes in love, freedom, and the beauty of the earth.