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Great Bloomers
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“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 as 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 Gardiner 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.
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