Manic Bloom

More and more these days, it seems that popular music is slipping into a homogenized smear of carbon-copied bands, echoing the efforts of past masters until their product is reduced to what feels like a mere hum of static nonsense. Almost every time you turn on the television, from regurgitated scripted dramas to car commercials, there’s a vaguely pleasing, unobtrusive piece of mood-setting music that sounds like just about anything else you’ve ever heard.

To combat this dumbing down of music, bands nowadays must strive to achieve a sound that can only be described with the most overused, and often misused, word in rock literature: originality. Because the struggle to be unique has become the litmus test by which all bands seem to judge themselves, it usually leaves them with something that is either sterile imitation or, even worse, unlistenable.

Neither of these pitfalls has befallen Manic Bloom, voted as Stereofame.com’s July 2010 Artist of the Month. The Nashville-based quintet serves as an example of how a band should carve out their own identity in a business where false ones are being manufactured daily. Manic Bloom seems to understand that the true secret to originality (there, I said it) is in the careful combination of styles and influences that previously remained separate.

“The five of us all come from very, very different musical backgrounds,” lead singer David Stevenson said. “I grew up in country and gospel…while Matt (Lawrence, guitarist) is into bands like Rage Against the Machine with heavier sounds and funk-style parts.”

From the tight, snappy R&B-inspired musicianship made popular by Maroon 5 to the swirling, dark and fuzzed-out guitar lines reminiscent of Muse, Manic Bloom is certainly on to something. To say that they sound like either of these bands would be inaccurate, just as it would be inaccurate to say that they sound like both. What’s really at work here is the ability to create something that includes elements of already familiar music, while leaving the listener unable to put their finger on exactly why it’s so familiar.

Above all else, though, Manic Bloom hopes to create a reason for music fans to become invested in the music they listen to again.

“We want people to experience music,” Stevenson said. “But you have to make a conscious decision to seek out something that you can really connect with and not just passively absorb the bubblegum stuff over and over.”

The listeners on Stereofame.com have done just that, a fact that Stevenson said he doesn’t take lightly.

“Stereofame is a true community,” he said. “It’s obvious that the people on the site really pay attention to music and are passionate just from the feedback you get.”
To find out more about Manic Bloom and the release of their upcoming EP "In Loving Memory," visit www.manicbloom.com - Collin Elliott, Stereofame.com

Somehow Manic Bloom landed in Nashville, a band's dream town and the home of Country music. The only problem was they played rock. But that didn't stop them. It instead fueled their fire to be the best rock band Nashville has seen in a while.
Hildee, keys player, stated, "We've all seen people who have let go of their dreams to make ends meet, and people who just get stuck playing some part in life that they really don't want. We don't have that option. We were made to do this."
And made to do it is right. After countless hours, days of no sleep, they were able to self record their first EP and that is opening doors for them beyond their wildest dreams.
Their unique sound, with heavy keyboards and perfectly blended vocals has gained them attention from being named 'Nashville's Best New Artist of 2009" by 102.9 the Local Buzz to having their music selected for no less than ten TV shows, including The Real World, The City, and Fame, along with a German TV Commercial. They are also the Featured Band this month on Sunset Island Music.
From the driving to 'Running from the Scene' to the soul moving 'Betrayer' (personal Favorite) Manic Bloom is sure to please a wide array of listeners. They describe their work as Epic-Melodic-Rock...I agree, for they are a 'Manic Bloom' of sound.
- Birmingham Examiner

I have to say, their high energy drew me in and captivated me until the very end... they are as solid as what you hear on their six track demo.
-JB - NashvilleRock.net

Love the hook on Running from the Scene.... Song packs a real punch. I think the band and the tune does [Ourstage] proud.
-Daniel Palmer - Ourstage.com

These guys put on a fantastic show! They are all phenomenal musicians and an extremely tight band. ...It is great to see a band where each member is equally a master of their instrument.
-Keith Stancil - Artist Garden Entertainment

...epic piano, catchy vocals and breakneck drums to a pitch that is, more often than not, more frenetic and frenzied than anything else you can generally find in the alternative/progressive rock world.
-Michael Aguilar - Southeastern Performer Magazine

Winners of Nashville's The Local Buzz "Best New Artist" 2009 - 102.9 The Local Buzz

Placed 3rd, 5th, and 10th in OurStage.com's monthly battle of the bands in January (3rd/5th)and March (10th) - Music Finalist

1st Runner Up in SAE's 2009 Battle of the Bands. - SAE

Winners of Nashville's 102.9 The Local Buzz radio Battle of the Bands contest. May, 2009. - 102.9 The Local Buzz

Runner-Up in Hard Rock Cafe's Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands. - Hard Rock Cafe