D.C. Bloom

D.C. Bloom's NEW MAN is a mix of feel-good songs and darkness, which isn't surprising since the project was profoundly influenced by the stroke he suffered during a songwriter's night at Cheatham Street Warehouse last August. He was already working on the CD - his third - when his life changed; so did he.  Back in the studio after five months of recovery, he crafted songs as upbeat and light as the opening "Another Day," which is about his promise to himself to, basically, find something good every day. Then there's the poetic, dark "On That Primal Shore," about a quest to search 'down through lush valleys, over mountains harsh and high, back to that cold gray water's edge where you said goodbye.' And his tongue-in-cheek odes to grunge and to watching TV reruns with bags of chips and donut holes and his remote control. "Points of View" is a modern version of 'why can't we all get along' and asks "is it red or blue, or is it purple haze for you."  Then there's another dark one, "Blinded by Faith," about the voice fallen angels hear "all alone in the dark" the "tempted cry, such a lonely sound."  In other words, this is an eclectic CD with enough fun for some and enough emotional strength for others. Among the players are Chip Dolan (piano and accordion), Warren Hood (violin and mandolin), John Mills (flute) and Greg Whitfield (lead guitar on three songs) with backing vocals from LeAnn Atherton, Kristin DeWitt, Jana Pochop and Elizabeth Wills.    -- Tom Geddie, Buddy Magazine, May, 2011 - Buddy Magazine

“D.C. BLOOM IS A DIRTY, DIRTY OLD - I MEAN “NEW” - MAN, AND I MEAN THAT AS HIGH PRAISE. LISTEN TO HIS LATEST AND GREATEST, THE SWINGINGLY ECLECTIC “NEW MAN,” AND I DARE YOU NOT TO DIG D.C.’S UNAPOLOGETICALLY UN-P.C. POINTS OF VIEW, DELIGHTFULLY SKEWED WIT, WRY AND WIRY WORDPLAY, APPARENT SEXUAL TENSION AND DATED SITCOM ADDICTIONS AND - JUST WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT - DISARMING HEART, SINCERITY AND OPTIMISM. BLOOM’S MOST EXTREME MOMENTS OF SELF-APPRAISAL (I’M CRUDDY, LIKE THE BATHROOMS AT A STRIP TEASE SHOW” ARE, REST ASSURED, PURELY FOR LAUGHS; BUT WHEN HE SINGS “I’M DIFFERENT FROM THE REST,” YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK” ... Richard Skanse, Editor, Lone Star Music Magazine. - Lone Star Music Magazine

In a former life, D.C. Bloom was a Washington, D.C.-based speechwriter, plying his trade for, among others, the F.B.I. But he also moonlighted as the frontman of a band of goofball folkies called the Dog Waggers, and it’s that lighter side of Bloom that’s showcased on his debut solo album and first recording since moving to San Antonio in 2004. Simpler Times A-Wastin’ might not win over serious folk Nazis, but it takes a cold, cold heart not to grin and dig it for the fun-loving time it is. “I Can’t?Forget the Alamo” carjacks “I’ve Been Everywhere” for a joyride through his new hometown, and the Tex-Mex-ified “Ice Box on the Fritz” plays like the Sir Douglas Quintet with plumber’s crack. Bloom does earnest pretty good, too, as demonstrated by the tribute to his father, “Acres to Plow” (featuring guests Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines). But irreverent is what Bloom really does best. Well, that, and kiss up to the home team: the Spurs-loving “Manu Ginobili” really should earn the guy the key to the Alamo city.  Richard Skanse
- Texas Music Magazine

In a former life, D.C. Bloom was a Washington, D.C.-based speechwriter, plying his trade for, among others, the F.B.I. But he also moonlighted as the frontman of a band of goofball folkies called the Dog Waggers, and it’s that lighter side of Bloom that’s showcased on his debut solo album and first recording since moving to San Antonio in 2004. Simpler Times A-Wastin’ might not win over serious folk Nazis, but it takes a cold, cold heart not to grin and dig it for the fun-loving time it is. “I Can’t?Forget the Alamo” carjacks “I’ve Been Everywhere” for a joyride through his new hometown, and the Tex-Mex-ified “Ice Box on the Fritz” plays like the Sir Douglas Quintet with plumber’s crack. Bloom does earnest pretty good, too, as demonstrated by the tribute to his father, “Acres to Plow” (featuring guests Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines). But irreverent is what Bloom really does best. Well, that, and kiss up to the home team: the Spurs-loving “Manu Ginobili” really should earn the guy the key to the Alamo city.  Richard Skanse
- Texas Music Magazine

Two years after making the move from Washington, D.C. to San Antonio, singer-songwriter D.C. Bloom still isn’t a household name in the Alamo City.  But it’s only a matter of time -- and a few thousand more Myspace-surfing Spurs fans stumbling upon his hilarious tribute to the 2007 NBA Champion team’s can-do Argentinian guard, “Manu Ginobili.”  It’s the catchiest ode to a basketball star since the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Magic Johnson.”  “I rooted for the Spurs a long time before moving to San Antonio, going back to my high school days,” insists Bloom, who still performs a few times a year with his Virginia-based Americana troupe, the Dog Waggers.  Given Bloom’s resume as a professional speechwriter (including stints in the Clinton Administration and the FBI), a cynic might suspect an element of spin at play when the Ohio native talks about his long allegiance to the silver and black, going back to the team’s ABA days in ’74.  But one listen to “Manu Ginobili,” penned during a Spurs vs. Suns playoff game in May, and there’s no question that this Texan-come-lately really does have a serious case of Spurs fever.  And maybe a little man-crush on his favorite player.  Part of the song’s chorus goes, “Manu, Manu Ginobili’s got a bald spot/he’s my kind of guy.”  “Manu’s the man,” Bloom enthuses, owning up to a Rogaine purchase or two himself.  “He’s the hardest-working guy in the NBA, so he more than deserved a song.  Plus, Manu Ginobili is also a melodious name that just about begs to be sung.  Chances are you won’t be hearing Bloom’s song much in, say, Dallas or Houston, but it goes over smashingly well in San Antone. “I love playing it live here - it’s pretty much like throwing red meat,” Bloom says. “But I’ve had some people come up and be mad because I haven’t included a verse about their own favorite Spur.  The song already mentions Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto, Bruce Bowen, and Tony Parker.  It amazes me that someone would be miffed that I left Matt Bonner on the bench.”  At press time, Bloom was still waiting to be asked by the Spurs to perform his song at a home game. “They’re probably just waiting for the play-offs to extend a formal invitation,” he reasons.  The only question is, can the Spurs repeat in ’08 and pick up another championship? “Absolutely,” Bloom predicts. “As long as someone else beats the Mavs again for ‘em.”  Leave it to a D.C.-seasoned speechwriter to cannily play to both sides of a heated debate. 
- Texas Music Magazine

Two years after making the move from Washington, D.C. to San Antonio, singer-songwriter D.C. Bloom still isn’t a household name in the Alamo City.  But it’s only a matter of time -- and a few thousand more Myspace-surfing Spurs fans stumbling upon his hilarious tribute to the 2007 NBA Champion team’s can-do Argentinian guard, “Manu Ginobili.”  It’s the catchiest ode to a basketball star since the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Magic Johnson.”  “I rooted for the Spurs a long time before moving to San Antonio, going back to my high school days,” insists Bloom, who still performs a few times a year with his Virginia-based Americana troupe, the Dog Waggers.  Given Bloom’s resume as a professional speechwriter (including stints in the Clinton Administration and the FBI), a cynic might suspect an element of spin at play when the Ohio native talks about his long allegiance to the silver and black, going back to the team’s ABA days in ’74.  But one listen to “Manu Ginobili,” penned during a Spurs vs. Suns playoff game in May, and there’s no question that this Texan-come-lately really does have a serious case of Spurs fever.  And maybe a little man-crush on his favorite player.  Part of the song’s chorus goes, “Manu, Manu Ginobili’s got a bald spot/he’s my kind of guy.”  “Manu’s the man,” Bloom enthuses, owning up to a Rogaine purchase or two himself.  “He’s the hardest-working guy in the NBA, so he more than deserved a song.  Plus, Manu Ginobili is also a melodious name that just about begs to be sung.  Chances are you won’t be hearing Bloom’s song much in, say, Dallas or Houston, but it goes over smashingly well in San Antone. “I love playing it live here - it’s pretty much like throwing red meat,” Bloom says. “But I’ve had some people come up and be mad because I haven’t included a verse about their own favorite Spur.  The song already mentions Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto, Bruce Bowen, and Tony Parker.  It amazes me that someone would be miffed that I left Matt Bonner on the bench.”  At press time, Bloom was still waiting to be asked by the Spurs to perform his song at a home game. “They’re probably just waiting for the play-offs to extend a formal invitation,” he reasons.  The only question is, can the Spurs repeat in ’08 and pick up another championship? “Absolutely,” Bloom predicts. “As long as someone else beats the Mavs again for ‘em.”  Leave it to a D.C.-seasoned speechwriter to cannily play to both sides of a heated debate. 
- Texas Music Magazine

"D.C. BLOOM'S SONGS HAVE AN INTELLIGENT CUTTING EDGE, FROM OUTRAGEOUSLY CLEVER TO POIGNANTLY THOUGHT PROVOKING. HE'S A GREAT ENTERTAINER AND A RECOMMENDED LISTEN." ... Lloyd Maines - Lloyd Maines

"D.C. BLOOM'S SONGS HAVE AN INTELLIGENT CUTTING EDGE, FROM OUTRAGEOUSLY CLEVER TO POIGNANTLY THOUGHT PROVOKING. HE'S A GREAT ENTERTAINER AND A RECOMMENDED LISTEN." ... Lloyd Maines - Lloyd Maines

After listening to this album, you may be tempted to write D.C. Bloom off as just a guy who sings cute San Antonio-centric songs like "I Can't Forget The Alamo," his observation of the number of businesses in SATX that share a name, and "Manu Ginobili," his man-love song for the titular Spur. But you would do the man an injustce. Listen carefully to "Small Potatoes" and "Neon Signs" and you will hear beautifully
constructed, poignant odes to the human condition. Quite honestly, while the novelty songs are certainly crowdpleasers here in The Alamo City, I wish the wistful D.C. Bloom would make an appearance a bit more often. I'm no fun? Tell me something I don't know. Steve Circeo, for AMERICANA MUSIC TIMES
- Americana Music Times

After listening to this album, you may be tempted to write D.C. Bloom off as just a guy who sings cute San Antonio-centric songs like "I Can't Forget The Alamo," his observation of the number of businesses in SATX that share a name, and "Manu Ginobili," his man-love song for the titular Spur. But you would do the man an injustce. Listen carefully to "Small Potatoes" and "Neon Signs" and you will hear beautifully
constructed, poignant odes to the human condition. Quite honestly, while the novelty songs are certainly crowdpleasers here in The Alamo City, I wish the wistful D.C. Bloom would make an appearance a bit more often. I'm no fun? Tell me something I don't know. Steve Circeo, for AMERICANA MUSIC TIMES
- Americana Music Times

Texans love songs written especially for them, about things only they would understand. This could be because our egos are bigger than everyone elses, or our state is so big we have a ton of things to sing about. D.C. Bloom, an Ohio native, slipped into the Texas singer/songwriter genre and has earned his title well. It's very hard to get locals to call you a Texan if your birth certificate isn't also from Texas. Bloom does it with flying colors, with songs like "Manu Ginobli" and "The Ballad of Boerne and Alice". There's so much word play in his songs it's almost hard to catch some of his jokes. His songs also cause his audiences to think about memories and the way things used to be, specifically "Neon Signs" and "Acres to Plow". Starting out as a praise band performer in Virginia and then part of the Americana duet The Dog Waggers, Bloom moved to San Antonio to perform solo. When he got to Texas, he set a goal of writing one song for every city he could find. Bloom's album, Simpler Times A-Wastin, is available now (check out the link below). Don't miss this local gem's witty and entertaining songs.  AUSTIN MUSIC EXAMINER - Austin Music Examiner

Texans love songs written especially for them, about things only they would understand. This could be because our egos are bigger than everyone elses, or our state is so big we have a ton of things to sing about. D.C. Bloom, an Ohio native, slipped into the Texas singer/songwriter genre and has earned his title well. It's very hard to get locals to call you a Texan if your birth certificate isn't also from Texas. Bloom does it with flying colors, with songs like "Manu Ginobli" and "The Ballad of Boerne and Alice". There's so much word play in his songs it's almost hard to catch some of his jokes. His songs also cause his audiences to think about memories and the way things used to be, specifically "Neon Signs" and "Acres to Plow". Starting out as a praise band performer in Virginia and then part of the Americana duet The Dog Waggers, Bloom moved to San Antonio to perform solo. When he got to Texas, he set a goal of writing one song for every city he could find. Bloom's album, Simpler Times A-Wastin, is available now (check out the link below). Don't miss this local gem's witty and entertaining songs.  AUSTIN MUSIC EXAMINER - Austin Music Examiner

“FROM LAUGHTER TO LOVE TO REVERANCE AND CERTAINLY IRREVERANCE, LISTENING TO D.C. BLOOM CAN RUN THE TABLE OF EMOTIONS, AS HE MAKES THOSE LYRICS SEEM SO EFFORTLESS.  YOU ALWAYS WALK AWAY KNOWING YOU’VE HEARD SOMETHING -- AND SOMEONE -- PRETTY SPECIAL.  D.C.’S THE REAL DEAL. ... Karen Webb, Webb House Concerts, Austin, TX
- Webb House Concerts, Austin, TX

“FROM LAUGHTER TO LOVE TO REVERANCE AND CERTAINLY IRREVERANCE, LISTENING TO D.C. BLOOM CAN RUN THE TABLE OF EMOTIONS, AS HE MAKES THOSE LYRICS SEEM SO EFFORTLESS.  YOU ALWAYS WALK AWAY KNOWING YOU’VE HEARD SOMETHING -- AND SOMEONE -- PRETTY SPECIAL.  D.C.’S THE REAL DEAL. ... Karen Webb, Webb House Concerts, Austin, TX
- Webb House Concerts, Austin, TX