Photography by Alex Strohl
Since the release of his debut EP Astronaut Complex and taking 2020 by storm, Alt Bloom has accumulated over 29 Million total streams, been featured in Billboard, American Songwriter, F L A U N T, among others, and released a hit collaboration with LA rapper gnash with “text talk touch.”
Last year while in quarantine, Alt Bloom opted to find new ways to connect with his audience when the rest of the world was shutting down — whether it was putting out acoustic tracks and unreleased music on Soundcloud or hosting ‘Tribe Tuesdays’ on his Instagram and TikTok. When he wasn’t connecting with fans or spending time in nature, he was in the studio writing and recording music for this new chapter of his career.
Tell us about the genesis of your project
It started as jamming with my buddies in the studio. We found a sound that we loved and it stuck with me. After that it was figuring out a project name in my bedroom for three days slamming words together I liked. When Alt Bloom came across the page within ten minutes I was calling my team saying this is the name. From there it’s taken a life of its own & me tapping into whatever genre feels good.
How many hours a day do you spend making music?
I’d say five to twelve hours a day.
Favorite musical acts?
Definitely Tom Petty and Mac Miller.
What are some things that keep going creatively?
I love to scroll through samples, listen to old records, freestyle rap, write scratch songs in under 45 minutes, live life, and do dumb shit.
Who are you binge listening to these days?
J.Cole’s new album – I’m really loving the song “Close.”
Favorite movie or TV show?
Favorite movie is definitely The Lion King. Favorite TV show I’d say is DEVS. Crazy show about super computers.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about.
I went home for lockdown, which left me in my native roots of Montana. After watching an Oasis documentary, I took my guitar upstairs and started writing the chorus in my childhood bedroom. It just felt exactly like some old tunes I like so I ran with it.
Do you have any peculiar pre or post show rituals?
I like to be by myself the minute before I go onstage. I zone out what’s going on around me and picture the first moment of the show. How I’m going to move, how I’m going to feel singing. That first moment is always slow motion, I cherish it.
What’s the future looking like for you?
Studio, shows, & outdoors – all with good people.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
The mirror for the most part. Also Instagram ads are getting pretty damn on my vibe. It’s obnoxiously right.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
When I played my first show after releasing Damn Baby. I remember feeling like a prepared boxer going into the ring. I was so happy my journey had taken me right where I was. Two days later we were in lock down, dun dun dun.
What is your advice for aspiring artists?
Do you, forget about most opinions, and follow your work.