Interview with Brian Scott of Bloomr and Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
Brian: Bloomr is the vehicle for my (Brian Scott) songs. It was originally started as a studio project and had friends play on some of them. Over time it’s evolved into a band and I write a lot. It’s all about the songs and I’m constantly evolving as a writer. I love playing live, but ultimately I want to make great songs. The band sounds like a mashup of the influences of my life. A little power-pop, a lot of indie, and always hooks…!
If I were to compare my influences I’d say they are wide ranging but the current iteration has some post-punk mixed with alternative/grunge… Bands like early U2, the Police, INXS and a lot of radio music from the 90’s were massive influences. I think we’re a song-driven indie rock band!
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
Brian: I live in Baltimore, MD. There is more than murder here! My older sister introduced me to INXS, U2, The Police, Midnite Oil and The Violent Femmes, and took me to see The Cure when I was very young. That was my first concert. I later discovered hip-hop and Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, Run DMC, A Tribe Called Quest and Eric B. and Rakim were major influences. I’ve always loved funk and soul as well. When Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins came out it changed my life. That record made me want to play guitar and make music.
As soon as I could play a couple of chords I wanted to make my own songs. I ended up playing in a lot of bands and became the main co-songwriter / composer for the band Fall Back Plan. We had a little run and ended up being featured on MTV’s Spankin’ New Music Week a number of years ago. We did a bunch of touring and just never found the right “deal” to take it to the next level.
I spent time living in Nashville, but realized Baltimore is my home. When Fall Back Plan went on hiatus I continued to make music and play in bands. Kamari (Bass in Bloomr) and Steve (Guitar / Drums in Bloomr) and I have been playing together for a long time in bands. They are some of my best friends and when I wanted to try to learn how to sing and make songs that I was actually writing all of it (not just the music) so I could continue to realize my artistic vision – they jumped in. I was always a guitar player / band leader, but never sang. Bloomr just evolved naturally.
Everything gets written on acoustic guitar and I write a lot. I try to write a new song/idea every week. I bring things to the band to choose what we wanna play live and record and we’re always recording. What’s nice is that I built a studio in my house so I can constantly work on new music without being bogged down with logistics. It’s a decent setup, so I do a lot of the production there.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences?
Brian: I’ve constantly got music bouncing around in my head. Lyrics / melodies and I’ve always playing around with ideas. I don’t follow fads in music. I appreciate great songs, cool production and I’m influenced by life. I really love music. It’s the soundtrack to life.
I’ve got a lot of influences and artists I love. My dad was really into Motown so we always had those artists playing on the radio or at home. My mom loved the Beach Boys and the Beatles and my older sister’s musical tastes are my biggest influences.
A lot of the grunge bands were influences along with bands like INXS, The Police, Public Enemy, earlier U2, Smashing Pumpkins (Gish and Siamese Dream mostly), and a lot of post-punk bands. The band Jimmie’s Chicken Shack was a huge influence because they are from my area and it was amazing to watch a band that had a unique sound, unique look and super fun live shows break and become really big. It inspired me – and a ton of other kids in my area to believe we could also “go for it.” I love Pete Yorn.
As far as modern artists, I love Run the Jewels. And I constantly am searching for new / interesting stuff and go down Spotify rabbit holes all the time….
PD: What do you like to write about in your songs?
Brian: Mostly observations in life. I don’t typically write traditional “love songs.” I try to have my own voice and my lyrics often have sarcasm and a deeper meaning than what you may first think. I’ve written a lot about the lessons I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older and grown as a human.
TalkTalkTalk – our first single we released this year with The Animal Farm UK is about our collective addiction to social media and the digital world we live in… It’s so easy to just weigh in and share opinions on social media… we’re all talking constantly but not really saying very much.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
Brian: I’d like to build an audience and continue to make songs for people to enjoy. I’m gonna gonna make them anyway,
so I’d love for more people to hear them, get inspired, or have my music start a conversation in people’s lives. I often tie in a lot of dark humour to my writing. I’d love for people to listen and share it with others.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
Brian: We did some amazing stuff in Fall Back Plan. Ultimately, the proudest thing we did was when we went overseas to tour for the US Troops stationed abroad. I was proud to contribute some joy via the shows we played for those men and women that were sacrificing for our country.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
Brian: We all have the same challenges as there’s so much content out there to choose from. It’s a challenge. I’m not doing this to be famous. I’m doing this because I’m an artist and I have to do it. It’s hard to get in front of new people and capture their attention. My strategy is to invest what I can, but – no matter what – continue to make songs and do my best to put them out into the universe. I hope people will find Bloomr and give these songs a shot.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours?
Brian: I have a booking agent and we are pretty connected to the local venues in Baltimore / DC. Usually I post on social media (Instagram / Facebook) and I host a regular songwriters series in Baltimore every other month – The Charm City Songwriter’s Series.
PD: Any performances coming up?
Brian: I’ll be doing a lot of solo stuff including a short tour in May, and we’re working on some band dates for the spring.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
Brian: Unfortunately, this is the way people consume music. Nothing’s going to change it. Bands and artists now have to figure out new ways to monetize their music, so this is where the industry is. I’ve embraced it. It is what it is.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
Brian: Wow…. That’s a tough question to answer. There’s so many great songs out there to try to think of… Rather than answer this, I’ll tell you a few great songs on a playlist I’m listening too right now…
The Dandy Warhols – “The Last High”
Grant Lee Buffalo “Mockingbirds”
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds “If I had a Gun”
Sparklehorse “King of Nails”
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
Brian: I stopped thinking about that long ago. Que sera sera.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
Brian: We have a lot of unreleased music. We’re also going back to the studio in early February to track more songs. We’ll keep releasing new stuff regularly this year. Not sure if we’ll do albums, or ep’s or singles, but there’s a lot of material I’d like to share with the world.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
Brian: Follow us on social media or on our website. Here’s the links:
Bloomr links:
Band/Artist location – Baltimore, Maryland
Facebook – You Tube – Bandcamp –
Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer –
Check our page for Bloomr
