Review Fix Exclusive: Slow Bloom’s Michael Weldon Talks Hex Hex Hex And More

Review Fix chats with Slow Bloom’s Michael Weldon, who discusses their debut EP, Hex Hex Hex, via No Sleep Records, detailing their creative process, goals and more.

Review Fix: How did the band get together?

Michael Weldon: Jonny, Jared and I used to be in this band State Faults, and we did a full US tour with Timmy’s old band Strike to Survive. We liked each other, and decided to try jamming.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Weldon: Usually someone will come to band practice with a riff, or even a full song, and we just all jam it out. It’s pretty democratic, everyone gets a chance to voice their opinion and try adding different things to the songs. We’re also not limited to the particular instrument we play. For example Jared plays drums, but comes up with cool guitar ideas, and Timmy plays guitar but has come up with cool vocal melodies, like what you’d hear in our song “Cataracts”.

Review Fix: What inspires you guys?

Weldon: I can’t really speak for the others, but I’d say just life in general. All the good times and the shitty times. It’s also inspiring to live in the North Bay and be surrounded by so many talented musicians that have gone on to accomplish a lot of amazing things. It’s amazing, you know? It inspires hope, like “hey if they can do it then so can we”.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Weldon: If you were to take At the Drive-In and Nirvana and put it in a blender, then add a little bit of Van Halen to it, you’d get Slow Bloom.

Review Fix: What bands inspire you that would suprise your biggest fans?

Weldon: I’m a huge fan of Depeche Mode and Bjork. Both aren’t traditionally very rock and roll, but they’re able to make really dark and catchy music. It’s music that has a cool groove to it, but if you take the time to listen to the lyrics it kinda makes you think, and has a deeper message.

Review Fix: What’s the standout track on Hex Hex? How was it written?

Weldon: Again I can’t speak for the others, but for me, it’s the title track “Hex Hex Hex”. There’s a different vibe to it then the other songs. It’s a little slower, a little spookier. If memory serves me right that was a Jonny song. He had those cool opening chords that sounded rad, so we jammed it out and the rest is history.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Weldon: Honestly I don’t think they’re that different. We’ve always recorded live in the same room with each other, so what you hear recorded is what you’ll hear at a show. I consider us to be pretty energetic and I think that comes across when you hear us.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2018?

Weldon: Play as many shows as possible. Possibly start touring internationally.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Weldon: We’re currently writing some new songs, so next on the agenda would be to come out with new music in the near future.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

Weldon: We’re here to melt some faces and ride the lightning. Let’s party.

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