Meet Checker Bloom

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Checker Bloom a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Checker, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

We believe in the art we want to create. We take our art seriously and are always thinking about what’s influencing us and why, and are intentional in how we create our music from there. We lean on refined taste, expressing with each other what like and more importantly, what we don’t like.

We also believe in the work we put in. We work hard and are our own toughest critics, so any noise outside of that, while taken in stride, doesn’t have the merit to shake our confidence and belief in our art and potential. We have the standing within ourselves to look eye to eye in the mirror and believe we’re putting our truest self forward.

For growth in confidence and development on the stage, consistent exposure was critical. Over time it sunk in that performing is not really about us. It’s about entertainment and the crowd enjoying themselves. When you detach yourself or your ego from the embarrassment of acting a fool on stage, you can separate performer and person. The stage is a realm. We’ve learned to jump into that realm with our performers self. We know through the process, people want to see other people happy and having fun. We do that best when we are ourselves.

Having influences and role models is so important. When there’s a situation where we may be rocky or not know how to approach (maybe we’re struggling with our movements on stage), we think about what our heroes would do and how we can use that influence to make something truly unique to us.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Checker Bloom was founded in 2021 with Bryan Hatchell, Martin Pittis and Jonny Roberts. We later found Zach Miller and shortly after, found the unique sound that you can hear on their debut album, Ballads of Mirror Road. Checker Bloom enjoys finding our truest expression and sharing it with their fans. Being a fan of this band is being in a little community. We play shows in unique areas that not a lot of PNW bands will go to.

The band’s goals are simple. Always improve, always express your truest self, and then share it with the people who listen. All good things bloom from there. That said, playing KEXP has been on our to-do list for quite some time.

Official Band Bio
Fresh off the release of their debut album, Ballads of Mirror Road, Checker Bloom (Bellingham) is captivating live audiences with a blend of eclectic, yet cohesive rock sounds. Self described as Cinematic-Western Rock, Checker Bloom sends you on a sonic journey through a desolate wasteland with a diverse range of tracks that defy genre boundaries. From the infectious indie disco of “Who Is Michael” to the cinematic 80s blockbuster film-inspired “Wastelander” and the Eagles-esque harmonies of “Forbidden Love,” Checker Bloom’s music is both wildly entertaining and thought-provoking.

Finely tuned and sharp after years of touring, Checker Bloom’s live show will infect you. They have been sharing the stage with prominent acts like Wine Lips and Petite Amie, and starting to crack onto regional festival circuits.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Stick-to-it-tiveness/grit.

Make friends in the scene by adding to the scene and sharing, rather than only taking. People and other artists will be much more eager to help you out. Don’t be afraid to DM people to make friends or try and set up a show together. The worst that can happen is someone says no or you get ignored.

For people early in their journeys, just know that you belong. Everyone you see is bullshitting. Believe this.

The more you can “prove things”, the better. Proof that you have music, proof that you an artistic vision, proof that you can perform live, proof that people pay to see you play. Think about the what benefits people you work with and the risk they take on by working with you. How can you help alleviate risks and bolster their benefits.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Checker Bloom is looking to collaborate with videographers who have a strong artistic background and likes to develop projects for and with musicians. We like gritty people with specific tastes who enjoy sitting together to ideate and, more importantly, do the gritty work to make the idea real.

Checker Bloom is also looking for a web developer who can bring our brand and vision to life in the form of website improvements.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.checkerbloommusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkerbloommusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkerbloommusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@checkerbloommusic

Image Credits

Sophie Wideahay @wideahayproductions