From my spot in the grass during Blossoms’ show at Governors Ball on Friday, it seemed like every square foot around me contained a young girl squealing and/or swooning for the English band’s dreamy, indie pop sound. But when we chatted with the easygoing band after their set, we were amused to find that they seemed pretty used to the attention – if not even totally oblivious to it. “It felt quite chill, to be honest, compared to a UK crowd,” said frontman Tom Ogden, thinking it over as if for the first time. “It’s quite different. But it looked like there were lots of pockets of people who were really enthusiastic. It was cool.”
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So are they. Of their impressive tour schedule this year – which finds Blossoms at pretty much every major U.S. festival, including Bonnaroo (today in fact), Firefly Festival next week, and Lollapalooza this August – the boys were equally nonchalant. “It’s not actually as busy compared to last year,” said Tom. “We did Europe and Australia and Japan last year, so we wanted to dedicate more time to the states this year.” After having just completed a successful tour with much-loved Irish indie rockers Two Door Cinema Club (whom drummer Joe Donovan earnestly described as “a proper-sounding band” when we spoke), Blossoms would have the right to be a little braggy if they wanted to be. But the glamour of touring is much less interesting to them than their musical process offstage – which recently brought us the self-titled debut album that hit No. 1 in the UK last year.
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If you ask them what they’re proudest of about the triumphant release, though, you won’t hear anything about the charts or reception. Their short and sweet answer? “We made all the songs on it. And we didn’t have any help from anyone else,” said Tom with a smile. “It was..natural,” his bandmates agreed, choosing the word almost in unison. “The time in the studio together was a laugh. It was some of the best times we’ve ever had.”
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“Everyone’s influence comes into the song,” Tom explained. “We’re all kind of into the same stuff, so I just write songs that I think these guys might like to hear. I’ve always been into big choruses and poppy, catchy melodies. Sometimes you write a chorus and you just go, ‘Oh that’s a big chorus. I can see people singing every word to that.’ You know a good one when you hear one. I don’t sit down and try to write a chorus; it just happens.”
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Surprisingly, given Blossoms’ laid-back vibe, we did pin down one tidbit of news that the boys were visibly thrilled about: their upcoming show supporting pioneering Manchester rock band The Stone Roses. They’ll be opening for them at the legendary Wembley Arena in London next Saturday, and the excitement among the five is unanimous. “Can’t bloody WAIT,” they said, their collective body language suddenly shifting to an eager bounce. “The pressure is good,” added Joe. “There’s always going to be a little bit of pressure, but it’s a good thing. Because if you didn’t feel it, you’d get complacent.”
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Article: Olivia Isenhart
Photos: Shayne Hanley
