“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.
