Photo Credit: RProPhoto
Those sold on the idea that one can only be happy bathing in the sounds of one genre frankly bought the wrong idea. For people like Hazel Bloom and myself are quite fine with music collections that span the Spotify realm. From his days living for Hot Topic mixtapes to the present playlists that contain and inspire his modern-day take on electronica infused R&B, Hazel Bloom is budding with things to say and we talked about them.
Kendra: Listening to “I Loved You, Once” I got the sense that maybe you had a pop-punk past. Any truth to that?
Hazel Bloom: You hit the nail right on the head with that assumption. My whole childhood and teenage years I listened to a lot of pop-punk as well as played in a bunch of pop-punk bands. Anything and everything from Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, The Wonder Years, and everything in between. I have strayed away from the genre a lot the past couple years, but it definitely still seems to influence a lot of my writing today.
Kendra: Maybe, maybe not. But what’s true is that you were inspired by R&B. Are you more a fan of ’90s R&B (the classics) or the new school of artists who take it down an alternative path?
Hazel Bloom: I definitely am more of a fan of the new age R&B styles. Artists like Blackbear and Quinn XCII are two of my biggest influences at the moment. I love how new age R&B takes influences from alternative music and some EDM. I think it gives the music more of a unique vibe that really expresses how different each artist’s writing styles are.
Kendra: Every time I hear a song like “I Loved You, Once” I think of the person that caused the heartbreak and wonder if they feel bad about causing pain, or flattered they got a song written about them. What do you think?
Hazel Bloom: I feel it differs from each person’s personality and the circumstances of the separation. Personally, I write songs like this as a form of letting go and as an outlet to forgive and forget. After a heartbreak, I feel everyone tends to blame themselves at one point or another. That can be really harmful mentally. So I create these songs to finally let go of all the mental pain and try to realize things will get better. I’m not sure what other people think when they hear a song about them. As an artist, I like to forgive and forget. Whatever way they take the song, I have no hard feelings.
Kendra: Other than music, you’re inspired by love and nature and its ability to always bloom. Was that something you’ve always admired?
Hazel Bloom: I’ve always been a loving and caring person and believe you should always look out for the people around you. Growing up, I was shown so much love from my family. I’m forever grateful for because I’ve seen what it’s like not to have that. I know how hard it can be on someone not to feel loved. So I like to give back love and produce happiness. We’re all here experiencing the same emotions as one another. Sometimes even the smallest act of love can change someone’s day.
Kendra: Will “I Loved You, Once” be part of an album before the year ends?
Hazel Bloom: Unfortunately, it will not be a part of an album before the year ends. However, I do have a few unreleased songs to release over the next couple of months I am considering merging into an EP. I was debating releasing singles for the next couple of months. Now I’m considering merging the songs into an EP to possibly release in early 2019. Nevertheless, much more to come so keep an eye out!
Kendra: Other than more potential music, what are your plans in the coming months?
Hazel Bloom: My two main goals besides music for the upcoming months are to start booking more shows and market myself more. I’ve been doing a lot of research the past couple of months to prepare. So I’ll be focusing a lot on marketing as well as booking more shows!
