Interview
1. Hey Bloomfield Machine, super nice to have the chance to chat with you again! First and foremost what got you into music?
I started piano at age 7. My parents had a very good record collection from the late 50s up to the 70s, so I listened to it all--of course the Beatles were the epicenter of everything for a while..
1.1 Which records from your parents' collection do you remember the most and which ones would you recommend to a fellow music nerd like myself? :))
My parents had: Bread, Creedence Clearwater, Herb Alpert, Brasil 66, Beatles, Elton John, the Jackson 5, CSN&Y, Simon and Garfunkle (Bridge Over Troubled Water--a stone cold masterpiece), various jazz and musicals (West Side Story, Man of La Mancha), James Taylor, Cat Stevens just a lot of great 60s and 70s rock/pop/singer songwriter. I may be a bit older, but I still love listening to and making music more than ever. It gives the most meaning to my life.
2. Can you describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Probably going to see Queen at the Los Angeles Forum for the "News of the World" Tour and blowing my little mind.
3. WOW! So freakin' coooool! You were already alive to see Freddy Mercury playing live! I envy you!!!!Bloomfield Machine... what a cool name! How did you come up with that?
I worked in the Staples corporate office at a cubicle. One of my first accounts was in New Mexico--The Bloomfield Machine Shop. I made a note in my brain--what a cool name for a band. right?
4. What do you dislike about the art world?
If you are talking about "fine art"--I'm not a fan of "Emperor's new clothes" type of art that doesn't show any real craftsmanship. I am a huge fan of "low brow" or "pop surrealism" People like Mark Ryden, Glenn Barr...
5. What are you focusing on right now?
Doing promotion for my new album and starting a 7th! Two tracks in already! I need to make tracks like I need to eat and sleep. It's essential for my mental health.
6. What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
At this point, spending time doing marketing, social media—anything not creating, but promoting music is challenging. I am putting more effort into it these days because I want people to hear my music. I do think it’s different and original.
7. Would you rather stop making music or stop listening to music?
If I had no other choice, I would stop listening. I’ve probably spent more time listening and now I’m in the headspace of making, creating almost all the time.
8. How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
Certainly it has given music fans more access to music—but the act of paying for an album/CD and listening to the whole thing—that experience, even for me, is a relic of the past. It’s too bad because in the this fast paced, choice laden world we live in, the listener may not get all the magic that 12-13 amazing tracks from your favorite act has to offer. In terms of making and recording music, the technology has allowed many more talented musicians to create master quality tracks from their laptop and release it digitally world wide. Before this, there was a barrier to entry to record due to the cost. There are so many new releases now, it is difficult to get heard and to hear everything. Given the choice, however, I like the fact that I can make my Bloomfield Machine music in my home studio with a playground of software to create endless interesting textures and sounds.
9. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
Good question. I try not to repeat myself, but certain aspects of my style creep in even if I’m using new sounds, tools, methods, etc. I’m thinking my next album will have a more hopeful outlook but when my conscious music plans fight with my subconscious, it seems the music deep in my grey matter comes out as what it is…and I’m grateful the process works.
10. What would you do if you had a time machine?
Form a band in the 60s to rival the Beatles haha. I would love to live through “Swinging London” in the 1960s, wear paisley shirts, and see the Kinks or the Zombies live!
11. What memorable responses have you had to your work?
A lot of reviews—especially on this new album—have been very thoughtful. The writing is almost as psychedelic sometimes as the music! It’s interesting to hear the impressions that certain songs give to different listeners. I’m really overwhelmed by the response to “Left to Our Own Devices.” It seems to have struck a nerve during this turbulent time for humanity. I hope people will go back and listen to my previous albums too!
12. Do you think that technology is improving lives?
I see improvement and extreme danger at both ends. It seems humans have not evolved at the same pace as technology. As the distance between our “Lizard Brains” and “Technology Advances” widens, I think we are heading for trouble unless we can turn that corner—overcoming the worst impulses of humans— greed, power, violence, selfishness.
13. If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Current? Radiohead, Flaming Lips, Tycho… Past: Gentle Giant #1!!!
10. Do you agree with the Pigeon about Pet Shop Boys probably being the best synth-pop of the 80's?
Other than "West End Girls" I'm not too familiar with their catalog. I'm more of a New Order, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, Ultravox, the Cars, Tears for Fears, Human League, etc. fan
Review
Right away, I want to highlight the name of this piece: "Left to our own devices", probably inspired by the opener of the synth-pop classic "Introspective" by the Pet Shop Boys: "Left to my own devices", a banger start for sure. Unlike the euphoric and bittersweet classic mentioned above, Bloomfield Machine opens his electronic work with an essentially mechanical approach. I'm in a factory of machines created by aliens destined to exterminate humanity, just like in Terminator. It's a sinister and disconcerting listen. On the other hand, "Soul Crusher" introduces its sinister and mysterious atmosphere through abrasive percussion. The artificial melodies grow progressively louder and more epic - it feels like I'm playing the darkest arcade game ever made by mankind. I'm talking about humanity, but this symphonic odyssey sounds more like it came from outer space with all these otherworldly and alien elements.
The Pigeon added a single from her to his Monthly Gems playlist on Spotify. You can check out the released music below. If you like what you hear, make sure to follow along so you can stay on top of future releases!
Words by The Pigeon
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
This coverage was created via Musosoup
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