INTERVIEW WITH PNW-BRED PUNK SINGER VERA BLOOM
Meet Nashville-based and Pacific Northwest-raised Punk Artist Vera Bloom. Her vibrant, raucous, and melodic punch of Popish-Punk music whispers echoes of PNW grunge and the merits of the Riot grrrl scene. The artist recently released her second EP titled “It’s Me” on September 30th. We chatted about her music, what influences it, and some of her favorite music of the year so far. You can check out the interview below.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I’d like to start off with an icebreaker question. Would you consider yourself more of a Morning Bird or Night Owl?
VERA BLOOM: Morning bird!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Now that your EP, It’s Me has been out for a few days now. What has the response been like? Have you had a chance to soak in it? What song was the most difficult for you to write?
VERA BLOOM: The response has been wonderful! I am definitely still soaking it all in, and there's still so much I want to tell people about the songs, but yes, overall the response has been great and people have been really excited and supportive about the EP. Hmm, the song that was most difficult was probably “Boxes.” It wasn't emotionally difficult, it just didn't flow as easily as the others did. Usually, I can write a song in a couple hours, but with “Boxes” I had written an incomplete version and set it aside for almost an entire year. I was browsing my voice memos last winter and came across it and decided to completely rework it.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: There have been some comparisons to grunge and many of those icons. How do you bridge the gap between honoring the icons and the sound of Washington with your unique identity?
VERA BLOOM: I don't really try to sound grunge and I think that's how I honor it? The older I get the more important my hometown and upbringing becomes to me. The more I find myself embracing it all and it helps me understand who I am better. I think because I've been self-reflecting a lot on this over the years and also on a mission to be authentic and stay true to myself, my unique identity is shining through but simultaneously so is the sound of Washington and the PNW.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What’s a typical writing and recording process like for you?
VERA BLOOM: I'm constantly writing down little snippets of lyrics and melodies. But, I can usually tell when an actual song needs to take form, and that generally takes me 2-3 hours to mostly finish. I write most of the song, a couple verses and a chorus, and take it to Garageband where I start working on the full band arrangement. They're really crappy demos, haha, but it's an important piece to see where the song can go before taking it to real-life human players. I give this demo to the band and we start rehearsing it, playing it live and shows, and then eventually take it to the studio to get it recorded. That's been the process for the last 2 EPs!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Where do you normally draw inspiration from as a musician and songwriter?
VERA BLOOM: My songs are pretty much always about my life and the feelings, fears, loves, and emotions involved. Musically, I just see what comes out while I'm writing and it really is a big flow and improvisation. The band I like to play with definitely helps produce the songs organically. They bring tones and rhythms to the table which help the arrangement of the song evolve.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who were some of your musical heroes growing up? And have they changed now?
VERA BLOOM: I really liked Sheryl Crow growing up. She was the first artist I saw myself in, so she's pretty monumental for me. As I've grown, my tastes have definitely evolved, and I've grown a lot as a person, and, today I resonate a lot with Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, and Donita Sparks.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What is your favorite album or song of 2023?
VERA BLOOM: I'm one of those terrible people that listen to a lot of older music so, I don't think I have a new favorite. One of my favorite albums over the past few years is Catherine Wheel's Ferment from 1992...I know I'm terrible.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Throwing in another fun one here... If you could live in any fictional universe, which would you choose?
VERA BLOOM: I'd love to experience Willa Wonka's chocolate factory.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What has been one of the most rewarding experiences of your career so far?
VERA BLOOM: Opening for L7 last October for two nights of their big 30th Anniversary of Bricks Are Heavy was definitely a highlight and extremely rewarding. This release has also been rewarding and, I'm so grateful for the people supporting me and enjoying the music!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And, lastly, what's next on the horizon for you?
VERA BLOOM: Rinse and repeat, baby. 2024 will be a year of live performance and writing more music and I can't wait!
PASADENA'S CRUEL WORLD FESTIVAL DELIGHTS WITH A HOST OF EIGHTIES GOTHIC NOSTALGIA
Not even the 95-degree heat could stop the beat or the fun at the first Cruel World Fest.
Last weekend kicked off the first Cruel World Festival held by Goldenvoice. A music powerhouse behind many of the biggest annual California festivals like Stagecoach and Coachella. Cruel World Fest had thousands partying into the night to eighties icons like Bauhaus, Morrissey (yes, that Morrissey), Devo, Missing Persons, Blondie, The Church, Berlin, The Psychedelic Furs, English Beat, and many more.
Held in Pasadena at the Brookside Park and Golf Course in Pasadena, so the heat was an issue, but otherwise, the two-day eighties goth oasis was an exhilarating blast from the past. It was also a day or two to be grateful, enjoying the sun, the music, any new friends made, and the vibes. After all, it has been a difficult and trying two and half years. Even though there were a few fest hiccups like Echo and the Bunnymen dropping out or your garden variety festival hiccups. It was sure to be an event for the ages and truly an event for Alternative and classic Alternative music lovers.
Living legends at the Cruel World Festival anchored by many next wave acts or niche artists of the time. Like The KVB, a husband and wife duo with a penchant for 90s melancholy via Shoegaze guitar rhythms, neon 80s synths, and dark melodies for ages. Despite the somewhat penchant for dark and brooding music, the duo was so lovely in my chat with them (that will be out soon). Solo artist TR/ST brought his vibe of sin-soaked angsty synth beats much to the surprise and delight of many. You also had your underground mainstays like Cold Cave and my faves Blaqk Audio, with each band garnering super loyal and supportive fanbases. They each brought a unique sense of new-age sleekness and style that the newer brand of goth-tinged synth-rock or pop showcase.
For me, and no doubt so many others, there was no question that Bauhaus stole the show. A magical feeling was prominent in the air as the moon was high. Bauhaus set the scene from the beginning with a fog machine to heavy strobe lights. The audience was feverish by the time Peter Murphy's booming baritone rang out. Singing through a catalog of Bauhaus classics like 'She's In Parties'and the obvious crowd fave, 'Bela Lugosi's Dead'. It was a night to remember one perfectly accented by the elusive (and perhaps reclusive?) Morrissey. His vocals are as dramatic as ever, from every ad-lib, yelp, and yodel.
The crowd clung to every word as many of them had grabbed barricade spots way early in the day, standing for hours. Other highlights were Berlin, lead vocalist Terri Nunn's crowd interaction was like no other, Automatic, The Church, Missing Persons, and Devo. While I missed the chance to photograph every band like I wanted to, the heat that day was more than I expected. You can check out my photo galleries from the festival below. I had a great time, as did many other fans of all ages. So, closing out, I'll see you at Cruel World 2023 and, yes, that means you too, Bunnymen.
