Bloomers! As most of you probably already know, our Kickstarter campaign was a huge success! Because of you, we are going to have something we've never had for our recordings: a budget!
THANK YOU!!!!
We'll be getting in touch with all of those people to send the rewards that we're able to complete right now - but obviously the album is going to take a while to send out.
We've been in the dungeon recording a lot lately - I think Matt and Hildee are down there right now, actually - and I'm getting excited. These new songs are kind of all over the map, and because we're planning on making it a full length, we're able to get out of the box a bit more and experiment with things. Don't worry - you'll still recognize that Manic Bloom sound of Epic Melodic Rock. But perhaps you'll even hear some epic melodic hip hop? Maybe.... Matt screaming? If you're good.
I'm amazed at what has happened with MB since the beginning... When we gathered in a cramped living room and talked about what we wanted to create, we were honestly a little short sighted. Don't get me wrong - it seemed as if our heads were in the clouds at the time, but after 5 years writing/recording/performing together, the music I'm hearing coming from my speakers right now was really unimaginable to me then. We've pushed each other, laughed with each other, made each other mad, encouraged each other, bled with each other... I think you'll hear that on the new record.
We've also spent 5 years connecting with awesome people who have supported us, listened to us, encouraged us, pushed us, and also more people than I'd care to admit that literally just told us that we suck. Obviously I'm far more grateful for the Bloomers, but I'm also happy with the naysayers for two reasons... 1: It means we're not doing something boring if people go out of their way to tell us to stop. 2: It drives us even more.
At the beginning, I didn't know that we'd get to have such a connection with our fans. I feel like I know you, and you know me.
Man oh man oh man, I want to share some of the new music with you. But I want to wait... Hopefully the anticipation will make it sweeter. On top of that, there are still a lot of changes being made, so I don't want to make people wonder if we know what we're doing. Partially, we do. But - we're in the same boat as we were five years ago... Discovering more than creating. Chiseling away at a soundscape that starts as silence.
While writing this, I actually just started listening to songs I wrote in high school to compare this new stuff not just from the past five years, but even more. (I'll let you wonder just how much more that is!! :) One of the major reasons I'm able to see the distinct difference is because of my brothers in the Bloom. I almost have a hard time claiming my part in these new songs, because I feel like after the five of us start collaborating on something, it takes on a life of its own that is far greater than what we contribute individually.
I had a conversation with someone not long ago about the creative process, and he basically said that after he starts something, he doesn't know where to go with it, and never finishes it. Let me tell you: if you know exactly where you're going to end up, you're probably limiting yourself. If that's you - either you limit yourself, or you're just afraid of creating - JUST DO IT! Somewhere in between the best and worst that can happen is simply that you stand back (perhaps with other people), and realize that a piece of you has been fixed in what you've created. And most likely, you'll learn in the process and won't be able to stop. The world tries to get in the way and convince us we shouldn't do things, but the world is just afraid that we'll pass it up. I'm lucky to have a handful of people in my life that carry me along when I don't believe that myself.
This blog got a lot more introspective than I was planning... But what's your experience? Tell me about times that you either did or didn't do something like what I'm talking about...
You all rock, and we could literally not do any of this without you. THANK YOU!
-David
MB
Look Dad Creative
Jonathan McLeod
Aug 10, 2012 @ 1:17pm
I like your music, but I don't like the name "bloomers". :)
Brandon
Aug 10, 2012 @ 3:35pm
Great work guys, and congrats. Good luck w/the next album.
Danielle
Aug 10, 2012 @ 5:27pm
WHO said you suck?!?! No really? I want their names! Because I need to have a serious conversation with them...
But enough about that. Can I just say how E!X!C!I!T!E!D! I am to hear some new music! Literally just cannot wait! No really, can I hear something new now? I guess I should try and make it to Manic Monday huh?
And I know what you mean about being afraid to do something. I'm actually writing a book. There. I said it. And your music is actually a huge inspriation. Of course, I've been writing for about 3 years and still haven't finished. But one day I will! And you guys will be in the acknowledgements section for sure! ;-)
Stay awesome! And congratulations again!
Kristee
Aug 10, 2012 @ 9:24pm
Sitting here thinking about how my little one already likes "Toynbee" because it's little fist was in the air on the last ultra sound makes me wonder how much of a little fanatic you're going to have on your hands.
I will say that I've been in your shoes. Not because of music though. When I was in Middle School I got to attend Physical Therapy with a friend of mine. I was interested in becoming a Physical Therapist. But by the time I hit 9th grade, and still had to have a parents signature on everything, I allowed my mom to mess up my curriculum so I couldn't go to med school to do Physical Therapy. And in a way I'm glad. Why? Because now I'm pursuing a better career where I can still help people, but help them turn their lives around.
So I understand and get where you're coming from. I kinda limited myself but then again so did my parents.
Do you guys have any tour dates set for October? Around the 17-21st?
John
Aug 11, 2012 @ 12:12am
Congrats guys, I can't wait for the next album to drop. U guys should definitely do a show at the university of Maryland sometime, that would be incredible
Obie
Aug 12, 2012 @ 2:45pm
Your songs really speak to me. "Running from the scene" helped me get thrugh a VERY difficult time in my life. and "Start a new one" has helped push me to get a new job that is life changing. Not to mention some songs are great to work-out to. (Thanks Andy)
As a paramedic, I was in the back of the ambulance with a patient who wasn't breathing and as we helped him the lyrics "Feel the air fill up your lungs, are you even breathing?" came to me and I was "whisper singing" the rest of the song all the way to the ER.
David
Aug 14, 2012 @ 12:00am
Thanks everybody!!
Jonathan - sorry... The name just stuck, and we're creatures of habit, so it'll be hard to start using something different! :) And, I just love the thought of calling newcomers "Late Bloomers."
Danielle - I WANT TO READ IT!
Kristee - no idea about October dates... We're trying to get through recording this record before we schedule a bunch of shows... Tearing all of our stuff down makdes the recording process take even longer!
Obie - That's incredibly awesome!
Richard
Aug 16, 2012 @ 10:01am
I love the name Bloomer and I'm proud to be called one! :D
Can't wait for the new music!!
I’m actually in the middle of something kind of like that right now:
I’m in the process of writing/creating an audio drama series, and have currently no idea when, where or how it’s going to end. I don’t really even know what’s going to happen beyond the point I‘m currently at, but as I write, more comes. I’ve always had that happen with stuff I write, I’m not sure if that’s normal or not, but it’s always been that way for me. Start with a tiny idea, with no clue where it’s going or what’s going to happen, at first it was a little scary, putting all that time and effort into something that you don’t have totally planned and thought out, but I guess that’s faith, right? Learning to let go of the need to know, and just be faithful and write what you’ve been given. I’ve found that, when I do this, I get exactly what I need to know, exactly when I need to know it.
Hehe, maybe when I’m done I’ll even try to get David to record some lines for me! ;)