Sounds Like / Share's Same Audience As: Keane, Oasis, Travis, Stereophonics, Verve, U2
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Affiliation: SOCAN
Biography
Toronto based singer-songwriter Peter Bloom has the perfect gift for all those people who let fear prevent them from breaking free and reaching their potential. Drawing emotional strength and wisdom from his own powerful personal life experiences, Bloom offers Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind), his insightful, musically and lyrically compelling debut that chronicles his dramatic shift from years of self-doubt (and physical problems with his voice) to his current emergence as a critically acclaimed, award winning artist and performer.
His newly assembled band's first gig in December 2007 at The Cameron HouseÑone of the city's hip musical venuesÑsaw many fans lining up after the show to buy CDs and get autographs. One review described Bloom's live performance as "pure heart and raw energy." Leading up to Random Thoughts' official national March 2008 release, Peter Bloom Band is also set to play Toronto hotspot The Horseshoe, and headline for over 1,000 people at a benefit show for DANI (Developing and Nurturing Individuals), a local organization that raises money to help special needs people become more independent. People everywhere are finding themselves inspired by Bloom's heartfelt reflections on breaking through the "Walls" (one of the more poignant tracks on the album) that prevent us from living fully until it's too late.
Individual tracks from Random Thoughts have already dominated a handful of high profile competitions in his home base of Ontario and beyond. The opening track "Let It Go" was chosen last August as "Song of the Month" in the pop category for the international Song Of The Year competition, automatically entering it in the running for Song of the Year. Bloom won two 2007 Toronto Exclusive Music Awards, for Best Rock Song ("Helping Hand") and Best Rock Group; was nominated for a 2007 Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Rock Song ("Walls"); and was runner-up in both the regional Radio Star 2007 (99.9 Mix FM) and the Toronto Indie Week 2006 singer/songwriter competitions. That same year, he also won Honorable Mention in the Billboard World Song Contest.
Bloom's life as a professional musician reaches back to the 90s, when in his native Montreal he was lead singer and drummer for The Elementals, an alt rock band that morphed into the more traditional rock band Furious Styles; he was drummer and backup singer for this group. Furious Styles had a local radio hit, sold out local pubs, and played major Montreal club venues such as Club Soda and The Spectrum, and performed at local colleges and universities including McGill and Concordia.
Throughout this time, Bloom was plagued by a chronic voice disorder (later diagnosed as Muscle Tension Dysphonia or MTD), which prevented him from singing for any substantial length of time. As the condition worsened, he sank into a paralyzing state of despair. At the very lowest point of this period, he actually suffered virtually complete loss of hair on his head, face, and body. It was a rare condition known as Alopecia Universalis. Having hit rock bottom, he eventually made the difficult decision to start over by moving to Toronto to find work in radio and voice-overs, temporarily sidelining his musical pursuits.
The MTD took several years to overcome. "It was little-understood, but treatable condition," Bloom says, "but I got caught up in a vicious cycle where I lost confidence in myself as a musician and artist and I let self-doubt get the best of me for a long time. No doctor or voice coach seemed able to help me. It's funny, though, how the universe eventually conspired to make all the right things come together. Coinciding with a renewed commitment to songwriting and performing, I finally found a doctor and voice therapist who successfully treated my MTD. I've learned that you can know you're meant to do something deep down, but still not believe it's possible. Until recently, I had stopped believing in and trusting myself. Writing and recording Random Thoughts, I finally gave myself permission to reach for everything I've always wanted to be. These songs are about the journey of finding my voice and believing in myself again. Life isn't so much about getting over things, as it is getting through them and living every moment of that process. That's what makes you stronger."
Though Random Thoughts is best enjoyed as a full length collection that uses dramatic swings of musical and lyrical highs and lows to convey the rich textures of Bloom's life story, there are a few standout tracks. The Five For Fighting-like "Let It Go" is about leaving the heavy emotional baggage of life behind in order to discover a joyful, optimistic future; Bloom was letting go of his fears and vocal troubles, but the song could just as easily apply to toxic relationships or addictions. "Walls" is about exploring the meaning of life through the eyes of a soldier who, we learn at the end, is about to die; it's an emotional tale of marveling at life while wondering about unfinished business. "I Haven't Hit The Floor Yet" is another hard hitting, thought provoking track and was inspired by the father of Bloom's best friend who has shown remarkable courage in living with Alzheimer's Disease.
As pleased as he is that these songs as recorded have received so many accolades, Bloom is most excited about making 2008 a year of traveling around and performing for audiences. "I'm all for digital downloads of great songs, but there's still no replacement for the vibe that happens when musicians perform their material live," he says. "The best bands to me are those who don't simply reproduce their songs in concert but offer a different take that's equally valid, emotional and powerful, yet altogether original. I strive for that kind of connection, and there's no greater feeling, no better rush than to connect with people through the songs I have written. It's a great honor to bring the same kind of joy and inspiration to people as my musical idols, from Lennon and McCartney to Bono, have done for me."
Random Thoughts (from a Paralyzed Mind) September 19, 2007
Retail: Amazon | iTunes | MapleMusic
Press Quotes
"Peter Bloom is a singer-songwriter who learned all the right lessons from John, George, Ringo and especially Paul - not to mention Elton John and John (Five For Fighting) Ondrasik. This is simply gorgeous piano/orchestral-based pop, carried to the next level by Bloom's insightful lyrics and full-bodied melodic sensibilities." Jason Warburg, The Daily Vault
"For (people) keen to try Canadian pop but put off by all the oddball Montreal indie acts, the answer may come in the shape of Peter Bloom. Earnest as a Toronto winter day is short, Bloom makes sweeping piano pop redolent of late Beatles ballads or Chris Martin at his most thoughtful." Download.Com - Editor's Review
"Colorful melodies with a great feel...great instrumentation, excellent phrasing...the songs soar...beautiful songs that tug at the heart...you (have) your own unique flair." Song of the Year - Review
"Where have you been, man?!" Denny Carr - RGK Entertainment, Nashville, TN, USA
"You have a beautiful voice...these are beautiful songs...that's a hit melody right there!" Susan Burger - Third Tier Entertainment, Nashville, TN, USA
"Pete, I get a ton of submissions weekly, and honestly, you've been one of my favorites...Great stuff!" Zach Davis - Sr. A&R Manager, Fresh Tracks Music, Chicago, IL, USA
"Let It Go sounds incredible...your voice just cuts through...really well done!" Sam DeAngelis - Maple Music Recordings, Toronto, ON, Canada
"WOW, the songs sound awesome - they sound like you, no one else but you...AWESOME!" Damhnait Doyle - Singer/Songwriter (Universal Music Group), Toronto, ON, Canada
"Holy s--t... is all I can say man!! This music is beautiful... I'm speechless and touched... This is real music here! "Let It Go" is my new favourite song!" Justin Nozuka - Singer/Songwriter (Coalition Entertainment), Toronto, ON, Canada
"An amazing songwriter!" Tootall - Legendary Montreal DJ (CHOM-FM) / Host of Made In Canada
"Pure heart and raw energy!" Dewey Beach Music Conference - Showcase Review
