On The Radar Aug 14

# 81 Bloom

WHEN Megan Clifton underwent an operation for a “giant” vocal cyst, it spelled the end for her Brighton-based band The Beautiful Word.

But now the five-piece is back under the new name Bloom. Clifton and fellow vocalist Emily Cluley talk about their return.

Emily: “I remember my first encounter with Meg was in the Concorde 2 elevator in 2007. We were struck by each other's awkwardness. We sang together soon after that and ever since.”

Megan: “We’ve been writing for a long time, we’ve all got different influences. At the moment we’re looking for new tones. I’m getting really into synth sounds from early Depeche Mode and Human League stuff. I’m also listening to bassline a lot and loads of Kate Bush and Dirty Projectors.

“We’ve been playing and changing for a long time. As I’ve been off for a year recovering it was a good break to make a change. I feel like we should really have changed the name when [guitarist] Tom Newman joined [in 2012] as everything has moved on so much since then.

“When I had my voice op I couldn’t speak for two weeks. We got really into Zen philosophy and ways of thinking about what’s important in life. I’ve always been a people person and was on my own a lot. Me and Emily have always just been really enthusiastic about the world and all living things, we like to express that.

“I’ve only just been able to speak in a crowded room and be heard. I’m very careful. I’ve had a lot of speech therapy and coaching, I feel I know a lot of tricks now and I’m grateful in the long run as I can make my voice do what I want it to do. It’s probably better than before!”

Bloom, which also features Scott Jones on bass and Jamie Gruff Keogh on drums, headline Brighton Noise’s showcase at The Prince Albert, in Trafalgar Street, on Friday, August 20, from 7.30pm. Support from Tony Njoku and Ottermatic. Tickets cost £5/£6 from billetto.co.uk/en/events/brighton-noise-presents-bloom-first-show

Find out more:

www.wecanbloom.com

www.facebook.com/wecanbloom

@wecanbloom