Playing rollickin'
piano-based country-tinged college rock, Great Bloomers astound with subtlety -
delicious hooks, stunning harmonies, expert musicianship, songwriting well
beyond their years and a wry sense of humour that says we're good and we know
it, but we appreciate you coming, so thanks. I Heart Music
Great Bloomers was formed
when childhood pals Lowell Sostomi and Nate Hindle moved to Toronto and met Andrew Kekewich. The trio
quickly formed a strong friendship based upon similar record collections— all
three valued essential works from The Band, Fleetwood Mac, and Springsteen. The
addition of bassist Ty Rowles, brought funk influences like Sly and the Family
Stone—raising the energy level and reinventing the budding band. Within a
couple of months, they had found their final member in drummer/pianist Shawn
Dell, a classically trained pianist with a strong jazz background. The addition
of a funk-influenced bassist and a jazz-influenced drummer added an entirely new
dimension to the band — pulling from genres that most emphasize the importance
of strong rhythm sections. In this they find the perfect backdrop for Lowell
Sostomi’s arresting vocals, which alternate between an earnest twangy howl and
a velvety low-range with the consistency of chocolate. Add to that Beach
Boy-precise harmonies and the effect is almost unbearably good. Together, the 5
young bucks took to the stage with the natural poise, confidence and ease of
seasoned veterans, despite the significant lack of years under their belts.
Great Bloomers were quick to blossom. Their 2007 self-titled EP, self-recorded
in Lowell’s
basement and released at their 3rd show, brought high praise from
Canadian media, its ultra tight 20 minute run time packing a serious punch. The
track ‘Catching Up’ instantly became a CBC 3 and college radio favorite,
launching the fledgling band up the charts. The 5 song EP sold out almost as
quickly the young band outgrew their catchy country-pop gems, and the audience
that flocked to their sold out shows with the likes of Plants and Animals and
Forest City Lovers were surprised to find the band performing songs with more
depth and richness than what they’d heard just a few months prior, songs that
would eventually find a home on ‘Speak of Trouble’.
Great Bloomers
debut full-length Speak of Trouble (Grifter / MapleMusic) has some
serious legs. Together with co-producer Gavin Gardner of The Wooden Sky
they've successfully revived 'the album', each expertly polished jewel of a
track destined to become a staple of classic Canadiana. Revealing the melodic
instincts of The Elephant 6 collective and Brian Wilson, twists of peppy
honky-tonk build upon an effervescent indie-rock palette, dabbling in
blissed-out UK
pop and the psych-country leanings of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. They jump
seamlessly from genre to genre, incorporating into their folk-rock core the
playful stride of honky-tonk piano, the warm rootsy colour of lap steel or
harmonium, the laid back sensibilities of 90's slacker rock and a serious dose
of Phil Spector pop sheen. Speak of Trouble employs both the epic
arrangements of a Queen-esque masterpiece and the simplicity of a Neil Young
ballad. It's laden with infectious melodies, surprising depth and songs that
shine out with nostalgia and idealism.
"Speak of Trouble" is well worth a listen, re-listen, and re-re-listen.
For Booking: shamelesspromo@gmail.com
Beach Boys, Sebadoh, Elavator to Hell, Sonic Youth, The Band, Wilco, Bill Callahan, Dinosaur Jr., Beat Happening, Meat Puppets, Beau Brummels, The Melvins, The Kinks
