We had the opportunity to interview East-Coast dreamgoth band BLOOD BLUSH. They have some fantastic melodies and vocals that instantly reminded us of Joy Division and The Cure. Check out what they had to say below as well as their extensive touring schedule and catch them when they come to your city!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
We've all been playing music since our teenage years. Some of us never really pursued playing in bands until later in life but all of us enjoy the song writing process. None of us believe we are more talented than anyone else. We just get by with our unique set of skills and call it “good enough.”
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
For me specifically, I’ll usually just hear something in my head and then pursue it further. Sometimes, I’ll rewrite things from old recordings or old bands; usually songs that had good structure but didn’t go anywhere. Personally, I enjoy when the bass has a prominent focus in a group so I’ll try to make sure that the drums and “guitar” aren’t in the way too much. I’ll not really into chords so I’ll try to have sparse riffs. Our focus is set on openness and space for the most part. Minimalism.
Sometimes upon just playing together, we will just come up with some cool sounding stuff and then call it a song. I don’t really think songwriting is as romantic as people crack it up to be.
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
Tori Amos. Sisters of Mercy. The Horrors. Bjork. Sunny Day Real Estate. The Cure. The Sound. Gang of Four. The Slits. Sleater Kinney. Dusty Springfield. The Doors. Drab Majesty. Tchaikovsky.
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
For Blood Blush, I use a Squire Bass VI. I play a lot of bass so the feeling of using a Bass VI rather than a guitar naturally felt stronger and bolder. I have an old American made Fender Telecaster that I’ve had since 2001. It’s a great guitar but I don’t really use it too much because it’s almost too good. I find as I get older I kind of like finding something that I have to struggle with a little bit. I’ve been really getting into Gibson Lawsuit Series Japanese stuff like Aria Pro, Univox and Greco.
I have these older Digitech X Series Delay pedals that I can’t stop using. I just love the way they sound. The sound is extremely warm and the feedback is easy to control. I prefer them to any Boss or Line 6 Delay. I would however probably throw down for an old MXR Time Delay Pedal. I borrowed one from a friend’s dad when I was first learning how to play guitar and I remember it had a wonderful tone.
I’m pretty much a spokesperson for the Roland Jazz Chorus 77 2x10 amp. It’s the perfect solid-state combo. You get just enough power but the size and weight of the 77 is so much better to deal with than the JC 120. I don't care about the 55s or 40s. Too weak. The 77s are harder to find but definitely worth the money and you won’t sweat hauling the thing around. Plus JC 120s go for like $800, which is stupid. Just buy a Peavey Stereo Chorus for like $100. It’s the exact same amp. Save your cash.
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
The focus of our live shows is performance. We prepare for what could go wrong and have a very tight and concise set. We always wear black clothing with no logos. No one in our band is more special than anyone else. It takes all three of us to do what we do when we do it. We do little things like using a small light set up and turning down the house lights really low. It's not crazy but it does set us apart from the bands that show up in t-shirts and jeans. That’s all we can hope for – just being remembered after we play.
Venues. So much to say.
None of us like venues that have room rental fees. Pay to play? No thanks. I get that everyone has to make rent but the added pressure of having to bring out a crowd to a room on a Tuesday night at 8pm? No thanks. We will just skip it.
The best venues give us free food. Honestly, even if it’s French fries, it’s so much better than free booze. Especially because I don’t drink and I think further aiding a lot of on the verge alcoholic musicians to free drinks doesn’t really help in the long run. Even a cheap per diem if you don’t have a kitchen is nice. I guess having an option feels very adult.
Venues that have nice sound people are cool. I like it when sound engineers don’t assume they know best and are curious about what you do. Some folks are just the right amount of "hands off."
DIY spaces and basements are usually a bunch of fun but like anything, some shows are great and some of them suck. Usually it’s not always one factor.
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
At the heart of it, we are a goth band. It’s more Dreamgoth.
(Goth music and culture has nothing to do with KoRn, Marilyn Manson, or Aurelio Voltaire. Each of those bands is respectively Nu Metal, Shock Rock and Pirate Music.)
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
The Salt Rose and Adorns.
N E W M U S I C
Check here!
T O U R D A T E S
O C T O B E R
10.10.18 MANHATTAN, NY at The Special Without Brett Davis (Television Performance 11pm)
10.18.18 PITTSBURGH, PA at Nettle Nest with Child of Night and Death Instinct.
10.19.18 COLUMBUS, OH at No Culture (Video Performance - 5pm).
10.19.18 COLUMBUS, OH at Tree Bar with Master Servos, Berndsen, Child of Night and DJ Steve OD.
10.20.18 INDIANAPOLIS, IN at The Spruce Goose with Violent Meditations, Emily Bewley, Tombaugh Regio and Den Dwellers.
10.21.18 CHICAGO, IL at WLUW (Radio Performance - 5pm)
10.21.18 CHICAGO, IL at DC Torium with Reverent, Canter, Mr. Russia and Old Irving.
10.22.18 DETROIT, MI at Phoney Island with Dr. Fadeaway and Soviet Girls.
10.23.18 TORONTO, ON at Quixotic Sounds (In-Store Performance - 5pm)
10.23.18 TORONTO, ON at The Painted Lady with Bloody Blue Darlings, September Death and Trick Casket.
10.24.18 MONTREAL, QE at Mademoiselle with Wavery, Bermudes and The City Gates.
10.25.18 ALBANY, NY at Orange Peel with Spell Runner, Cowboy! Halloween and Bare Mattress.
N O V E M B E R
11.01.18 QUEENS, NY at H0L0 with Veda Rays, Korine and Lacey Spacecake.
11.02.18 CLIFTON, NJ at Dingbatz with Christian Death, The Witch Kings, CHMCL STR8JCKT and Robby Bloodshed.
11.16.18 BROOKLYN, NY at Bushwick Public House (TRUST EP Cassette Tape Release Party) with PUSH! and Gorgeous.
D E C E M B E R
12.04.18 BROOKLYN, NY at Ceremony with Primitive Lips and Recognitions.
12.13.18 MONCLAIR, NJ at The Meatlocker with Primitive Lips and Whiner.
FMI on BLOOD BLUSH visit their website.