[1][2] Bear joined the group with singer Ed Droste for contributions on their first record, Horn of Plenty.

[3] Bear worked with fellow Grizzly Bear bandmates Daniel Rossen and Chris Taylor on Rossen's project Department of Eagles, contributing drums to their second album, In Ear Park.

Bear continues developing his independent career most recently working on arranging soundtracks for the HBO series High Maintenance.

[4] Bear has also performed live and recorded drums with the band Beach House, and contributed drums and percussion on 9 out of 15 tracks on the 2020 album Shore by Fleet Foxes.

Bear and Rossen also composed the music for the 2023 film Past Lives.