youbloom Through the Years

14-May-2018 By Robert Loustaunau

Here’s a look back at what youbloomDublin and LA festivals have been doing since 2010.

youbloomDublin 2017 took place in Dublin’s city centre (Dame District) and at Bloom with a mix of Irish and international bands. The conference keynote was by Scott Cohen, founder of The Orchard.

youbloomLA 2017 took place in the NELA area of LA. Over 90 acts played in venues including HiHat, Highland Bowl, Old Towne Pub, La Cuevita, Griffins of Kinsale, Offbeat Bar and Five Star Bar with conference keynote speaker Andy Gould (Linkin Park, Pantera, Rob Zombie) with a total of over 40 speakers.

youbloomDublin 2016 took place in Dublin’s city centre and at Bloom with a mix of Irish
and international bands. The conference keynote was by legendary trad Irish musician Donal Lunny.

youbloomLA 2016 took place in the NELA and DTLA areas of LA. Over 80 acts played in venues including Old Towne Pub, La Cuevita, Griffins of Kinsale, The Lexington and Five Star Bar with conference keynote speakers Liz Garo, Talent buyer for Spaceland (The Echo/Echoplex/Regent Theater) and Darrell Brown, Hit Songwriter, Arranger & Producer with a total of over 40 speakers.

youbloomDublin 2015 took place in Dublin’s Dame District with a mix of Irish and international bands, and saw over [insert figure] of acts plat over the three days. The conference keynote was by Martin Elbourne (Founder of Great Escape, booker for Glastonbury, New Order, The Smiths etc).

youbloomLA 2015 took place again in the NELA area of LA. Over 50 acts played in venues including Old Towne Pub, La Cuevita and Griffins of Kinsale with conference keynote speaker Tom Sturges.

youbloomDublin 2014 where Alan McGee, the legendary manager of Oasis, Primal Scream and The Libertines was the keynote speaker, had 110 bands from 20 countries play to venues in Dublin’s Dame District.

youbloomLA 2014 took place in November 2014. Los Angeles hosted over 60 bands from all over the world for a rockin’ 3 days/nights of live music and networking. The conference hosted UK A&R legend, Nigel Grainge as keynote speaker. Other speakers included Dede Flemming, Jan Fairchild, Mike Bone, Vince Bannon and Tom Sturges.

youbloomDublin 2013 took place in June 2013. This consisted of a two day industry led music conference and 90 bands from 11 countries playing over three nights. The conference included music industry icons Dave Robinson of Stiff Records who gave the keynote address, Tommy Silverman of the New Music Seminar and producer Rupert Hine.

youbloom Music Awards 2010: The youbloom Music Awards began in 2010 primarily as an online event with fan voting and high profile judges led by Bob Geldof, Nigel Graine (Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, Sinead O’Connor, 10 CC, Waterboys) and Rupert Hine (Tina Turner, Rush, Stevie Nicks). youbloom formed an A&R team that ran alongside the roll out of the live program in the UK, Ireland and Argentina.

Check out there rest of our video interviews with youbloom artists and speakers on youbloomTV.

ELLYD Interview Part2

05-Mar-2018 By Robert Loustaunau

In Part 2 of my interview with ELLYD we discuss her humble beginnings as a musician as well as future goals in wake of her EP, Lighthouse. Also, read to the end to learn a little bit about youbloom’s newest project, youbloomConnect.

You’ve been writing lyrics since you were 11. How long had you been playing music before that? What did that start look like for you?

Yeah I’ve been writing songs for a while now. Music is something that I’ve always been hugely interested in – I can’t remember a time being without it. My mam and dad got me guitar lessons when I was 6 years old so I guess after that it was a natural progression to start writing songs.

What was the first track you ever produced? What’s the story behind it?

Oh god, it’s hard to remember it exactly but I do know the first song I ever wrote was about flying. That was many many years ago – I was only a kid. It was a full song though and I think it was about believing in yourself, I think!

What did success look like for you in the beginning? At what point did you begin to consider yourself “making it?”

Yeah I think at the start gigging as much as possible is a good thing to do as its important to learn and experience the different aspects of the live environment whether it be the venues, the sound, the equipment, the audiences… I think progress happened for me within music when I started to get a bit more confident in what I was doing. Having the confidence to fail and having the confidence to succeed has definitely made a big difference for me. There were times in the past when I was afraid to share songs because it made me feel very vulnerable and now that vulnerability is an ally in my creative world. After that small change, better songs, and better gigs have somehow come about.

Everything inspires me – love, life, loss, family, friends, people I meet, conversations – everything.

What do you use to inspire your writing/lyrics?

I find a lot of my songs are from sub conscious thoughts – I never really understand what they’re truly about until I finish them. Apart from that, everything inspires me – love, life, loss, family, friends, people I meet, conversations – everything.

Could you describe your creative process a bit more?

My songs usually start with me playing some chords on my guitar. Sometimes it may start on bass or keys. Then when I hear a melody, the lyrics come. Once I get the structure sorted, and I feel the song is good enough, I demo it and add all the bass, drums, keys, and whatever other instruments and sounds I want for the song. These days I usually do that on Garage band. Then if I like it enough I bring it into the studio and get it down professionally.

What hobbies do you turn to outside of music, and do you use these hobbies as musical influence or to get away from music?

Hobbies outside music? That’s a tough one. I like running and rowing but that still involves music because I would have my earphones blaring. Saying that, I’ve finished some of my songs while I’ve been out running so I guess running has influenced me musically. I love going to local gigs too, so seeing new bands would have and will no doubt in the future influence me in my music.

Going forward

**You just released your new EP, Lighthouse. Can we expect a full album to follow?**

At some point, yes. I would hope there are many albums to follow! Realistically, for the time being, I’ll be releasing more singles and perhaps another EP or two before any album.

Do you currently have something new in the works? New Project?

I’ve just demoed some new material and I hope to be back in the studio very soon.

What is your vision going forward? Tour more, grow your audience, record a lot?

I’m writing a lot at the moment. So recording more material is definitely in my immediate future. I also want to get my music into as many ears as possible so there’s talk of doing some gigs across the waters – we shall have to wait and see!

What are your biggest challenges in reaching your vision?

Juggling my paying job with my dream job.

What advice would you have for other independent artists who are trying to make it in the industry?

Keep writing, keep learning and keep it fresh.

The first time youbloom had the privilege of hosting ELLYD was at the youbloomDublin 2017 Music Festival. That year, our festival bloomed a little bit brighter. You can find plenty more from ELLYD on YouTube and Spotify and at @ELLYDMUSIC on twitter.

Since 2013, youbloom has been striving to help talented, independent artists claim the spotlight they deserve. Starting this March, we’re thrilled to roll out our newest platform to further that goal. We call it youbloomConnect and it’s almost here (the app is nearly ready)! YoubloomConnect is a crowd-sourcing platform that revolutionizes the way artists, fans, hosts, an promoters interact. Check it out.

ELLYD Interview Part1

23-Feb-2018 By Robert Loustaunau

ELLYD has played on some of Ireland’s best stages including Electric Picnic, The Secret Village Festival, Battle of the Lake Festival, The Button Factory, Whelans, and The Workmans Club. In January, the young folk-singer released her latest EP, Lighthouse, accompanied by an Irish tour which she is now in the midst of. In between gigs, ELLYD found some time to answer my questions about her career and where she sees her music taking her next.

You’re in the middle of an Irish tour right now. How is that? Where are you visiting?

Yeah it’s been great so far. I’ve been playing various venues with very different vibes so it’s been so much fun. I started off this tour with a private show at Davey Davey Salon in Dublin. Then I played at The Ruby Sessions, followed by my official launch for my EP ‘Lighthouse‘ at The Underground. I was in The Gallery Wine Bar in Westport at the start of the month and my next gig on this particular tour will be in The Spirit Store on March 15th. The wonderful Elga Fox will be joining me again so I’m very excited for that one.

How has this tour been different from your previous tour in Germany?

Germany was amazing and I really hope to go back soon. The venues I played over there were very intimate and the audiences were insanely attentive. The venues I’m playing in Ireland are mostly bigger and therefore not as intimate so it’s different in that sense. Also, over there I never knew what to expect, from the venue, sound, and the crowd. Whereas over here, I’ve a bit more of an idea. The beer is better in Germany though :)!

I’ve gotta ask, is that you in the jabawokee mask in the Lighthouse music video?

It is!

Could you tell us more about the ideas influencing the video and music for “Lighthouse?”

This song started out about a young man who didn’t feel he could go on in this world anymore. It’s obviously a sad, emotional song and I wanted to reflect that in the music. Originally the video was being made by an outside company but that fell through because of weather issues so I had to quickly come up with a different concept.

Because I was making this video myself, I needed it to be simple but effective. My friend Emma helped me out a lot and did some of the camera work for me. I wanted something that would stand out in a meaningful way so that’s where the mask came in. I suppose the idea behind the mask was that this song is not about just one person, it’s about many. The person behind the mask could be anyone.

There were times in the past when I was afraid to share songs because it made me feel very vulnerable and now that vulnerability is an ally in my creative world.

What kind of music/bands are you listening to right now?

Right now this minute, I’m listening to Dermot Kennedy. The past few days I’ve been listening a lot to VINCI’s new tune ‘We Are Ghosts‘ and James Brown has made his way back into my ears this past week too.

What’s the best show you’ve ever played? Why?

It’s hard to top Electric Picnic – just because it’s Electric Picnic.

Strangest show?

I remember I did a small Irish tour with my friend and singer/songwriter Thomas John. This one night we had a gig in Fanad – a beautiful part of Donegal. There was a small shop a few miles away that we walked to the next morning and TJ brought his guitar with us for some reason. We were just walking down this narrow country road with a guitar and singing songs.

Keep writing, keep learning and keep it fresh.

Anyway when we got to the shop (that was also a post office, chemist, butchers – you name it) the owner became a bit curious and asked us to play a few tunes. More customers came in and we kept playing. We were there for hours! It was such a mad little morning and nobody left until we did. Was definitely the strangest impromptu show I’ve ever been involved in!

You’ve come back to youbloom festivals. What benefit do you think networks like youbloom and youbloomConnect provide up and coming artists?

It’s of huge benefit. I’ve always said this music business is an endless learning environment and what better way to learn than from other people who are actually involved in this business, in whatever form. There’s such a great variety of music and people from various parts of the world that attend the youbloom Festivals.

What type of support do you think is most beneficial to independent artists trying to become successful/well-known.

Radio play, radio play, radio play.

With her EP “Lighthouse” now out and a tour underway, 2018 is bound to be a hectic and promising year for EllyD. Next week we will be releasing the rest of our interview with the artist and you can find plenty more of EllyD on YouTube and Spotify and at @ELLYDMUSIC on twitter. Youbloom is striving to help talented, independent artists gain the attention they deserve. If you like what we’re doing here, check out our newest development, youbloomConnect, where we help artists to find their fan base.

After a Brief Hiatus, Griffin Anthony to Release New Album, Refuge

22-Feb-2018 By Guest Blogger

Griffin Anthony, after taking a brief break from touring, is releasing his first full-length album since 2015’s, “Making of A Man”.

The album is set to be released this summer on Big Eye Records. During Anthony’s hiatus he has composed film scores for the Woodstock Film Festival selected documentary, Catskill Park and HBO’s I Wanna See You and Call to Action, amongst others.

“Scoring was invaluable to my evolution as a songwriter”

“Scoring was invaluable to my evolution as a songwriter”,says Anthony, “but I grew to miss writing the stories that I wanted to tell.”

Since scoring music for various films, Anthony became anxious to get in the studio and return to his first love, writing songs connecting to people emotionally. His new album, Refuge, was recorded at the Bomb Shelter in East Nashville with producer Jon Estes (Kesha, John Paul White, Steelism), in collaboration with Andirja Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Margo Price, Langehorn Slim).

Truly returning to his musical roots, Anthony recorded Refuge live to two–inch tape. He completed the recording of the album over 6 days in October 2017. Given the opportunity to listen to Anthony’s new album prior to his release and sitting down with him at his home in Ridgefield, CT, Anthony went into depth over his thoughts on his new music and how it is different from his previous works.

“I just aimed to write songs you can trust,” Anthony said. “I took a bigger swing on this record. The tunes have some heavier themes.” Never preachy or fussy, Anthony’s unwavering vocals and pointed lyrics deliver on the nine-song LP. Starkly more nuanced than his previous work, Refuge, offers character-driven narratives ripe with perspective and humility that sneak up and grab you by the throat. This album is a return home for Anthony and provides a hopeful feel through risk.

“From time to time, we all have to take great risks in order to find safety. These songs explore the risks, failures, and steps towards finding our safe-haven.”

Refuge is set to be released later this summer.

Author’s bio: Gabe Crawford has been a music and vinyl enthusiasts for over 20 years. Although originally from Oklahoma, he currently resides in New York with his 1200 vinyl albums.

Jessica Meuse Talks about Life after American Idol: Artist Spotlight

15-Feb-2018 By Robert Loustaunau

Photo Courtesy of the artist — Photo Credit: Jessica Meuse

It can be difficult to build up clout as an independent artist, but it sure does help when you’ve got your own hashtag and a squad of fans dropping it on the daily. Ever since Jessica Meuse made it to the Top4 Spot on American Idol’s 13th season, her faithful fan base, #MuseMafia, have been tirelessly repping for the country-singer. If you’re like me, that’s probably where you first heard this soulful singer with that infectious southern twang.

I’ll either be a broke musician or a successful one.

I just want to make my music.

Since her time on Idol, Miss Meuse has signed with Warrior Records, released a music video for “Love Her Better,” and taken up a tour across the country. Despite her hectic performance schedule, the Idol finalist spared some time to talk with youbloom about her roots as a country singer and what new stuff she has been cooking up.

Jessica Meuse on Touring

Talking Points: Living on the road, Playing the Maltese Islands, and getting pampered on American Idol.

On her Roots

Talking Points: Stage-side meltdowns…they happen, and Bringing your real self into your music despite the haters.

The Writing Process

Talking Points: Finding inspiration for music in daily life

Jessica Meuse – “Love Her Better” Official Music Video Recorded on The Maltese.

Best Show Ever Played & Youbloom

Talking Points: Playing the Viper Room in LA, Shout out to the Muse Mafia, youbloom, and the Unfortunate lack of Irish pubs in Texas.

Going Forward and Giving Advice

Talking Points: 2018 Album release, Recording at Capitol Records, and what a Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks’ baby would sound like (Spoiler, it’s Jess).

You can keep track of what Jessica Meuse is up to by following her on twitter @JessMeuse, instagram, or her official website. There’s a possibility she will be back playing with youbloomDublin or youbloomLA Music Festival & Summit and same for you. For any bands or artists interested in expanding their musical family, meeting and learning from industry leaders, and playing some of the hottest venues in Dublin, make sure to Apply to Play for youbloomDublin. Hurry, the application deadline is February 19th, 2018! And keep an eye out for Jessica’s debut album that is to be released in 2018 or join the #MuseMafia. You know you want to.

Robert Loustaunau is a content writer for youbloom and is a member of the social media team there. He is an avid music maker and listener. He enjoys the simple things in life: coffee, a good book, and quality time with his lovely girlfriend.