Hello Reader,
Welcome back. How’s your day going?
Today we’re going to delve into Bloomsday. The band is the project of NY-based musician, singer, and songwriter Iris James Garrison. Their debut album, Place to Land (2022) was an excellent release that didn’t get talked about enough. A good place to hear this excellent debut it is via their Bandcamp release page linked right here!
On Friday, June 7th, Bloomsday released their second album, Heart of the Artichoke via Bayonet Records for your listening pleasure. Garrison sought help from members of the band Babehoven not only to add their artistic input but to use their studio to record, and other talented musicians, and sound professionals.
Garrison reflects on the album, “The ghosts of the past still come up and haunt me, but I sit in what I have and see it. All of these songs are about loved ones, about personal struggles with getting out of my head and being present.”
Giving credit where it’s due. Heart of the Artichoke album credits:
- Iris James Garrison performed lead vocals and acoustic guitar and wrote all the songs.
- Hannah Pruzinsky, Maya Bon, Alex Harwood, Ryan Albert, Sam Weisenthal, Richard Orofino performed vocal harmonies.
- Chris Daley performed bass, and clarinet.
- Alex Harwood performed electric guitar, synth, and baritone guitar.
- Andrew Stevens performed drums, tambourine, and SK-1 keys.
- Ryan Albert performed additional percussion, synth, and produced the album.
- Richard Orofino performed synth, baritone guitar, and banjo.
- J.R. Bohannon performed pedal steel.
- Additional production by Richard Orofino, Iris James Garrison, and Alex Harwood.
- Additional recording by Nick Kinsey.
- Mixed by Henry Stoehr.
- Mastered by Heather Jones.
And now some hype for your ears!
What a great album opener, “Where I End and You Begin”:
(All credits and rights to Bloomsday)
Pizza and so much more in the NY video for “Dollar Slice”:
(All credits and rights to Bloomsday)
The creativity within this video as well, complete with lyrics on screen for “Artichoke”:
(All credits and rights to Bloomsday)
The existence within “Object Permanence”:
(All credits and rights to Bloomsday)
Overall, Heart of the Artichoke is a damn good listen. It’s a fabulous album from start to finish. They already had an outstanding entry into the scene with their debut Place to Land (2022) and Heart of the Artichoke is another a step forward in the songwriting and storytelling for Garrison. And another step forward in finding their voice not only in terms of confidence in vocalization but also in terms of song composition. The experience gained, shows! There’s more than a handful or fantastic compositions on this album. And to assemble a supporting cast of talented musicians for this project and work so well together is credit to all involved, including but not limited to Garrison. There’s a lot within this album about relationships, a bit about traveling and one’s emotions. Overall, the tone is engaging, loving and at times vulnerable.
“Where I End and You Begin” is a song with a beautiful acoustic guitar strumming intro, a melody that builds and then quiets to a nice outro. The lyrics recall a present-day experience that triggered memories of a past relationship with steadfast resolution of moving forward.
What stands out most to me in terms of melody within “Virtual Hug” is the guitar progression. It’s jangly at times, and funky for a few notes, and fits well with the rest of the instrumentation and Garrison’s vocal delivery. The lyrics tell of excited romance, recalling a night out, and how a text when someone is a long distance away (traveling), that text serves as a virtual hug.
The next song “Dollar Slice” features a melody anchored by pedal steel from Bohannon, and 90s-esque chord guitar progression. It’s a gem of song. Complete with a gorgeous choral sound due to the backing vocals paired behind Garrison’s. The lyrics tell of NY area living, adventuring while examining your place in the world, how not to overthink and be anxious, and how to seize the moment and find yourself.
“Artichoke” reads like a precursor to “Virtual Hug” to me. In that there’s a series of enthusiastic moments of a new, happy relationship. Not to say that love fades in “Virtual Hug” but the relationship seems more matured in duration in that song. “Artichoke” is a song that warms that heart because it is so passionate overall. Both the lyrics and vocals convey that perfectly. The song begins with a synth build up followed by guitar strumming to fill out the melody when topped off with some percussion.
The next song “Bumper Sticker” opens with a lively melody anchored by beautiful guitarwork and a steady drumbeat. It’s yet another song in which Garrison’s vocals shine and flourish. The backing vocals are well placed and paired again as well providing a slight contrast and very complementary sound. The middle features an amazing, soulful woodwind solo. Almost sounds like a saxophone but I believe that’s a clarinet! If so, kudos Chris Daley. The lyrics are longing for something better and something permanent.
“Night Swim” begins with some validation from the recording studio. What follows is a journey via the bass guitar and drums in a march like cadence. In the background you hear pre-recorded noise. Upon first listen it sounded like the sound of a horse walking, the clopping sound of hooves hitting the ground on a loop. After listening a half dozen more times trying to figure out what my ears are hearing, I believe it may be water based to mimic a night swim. What hear you, listener? There are no lyrics in this song.
A deep breath in and exhale out is the start of the next song, “Carefully” followed by some acoustic guitar strumming. And a touch of synth. The melody is stripped down. Which allows Garrison’s vocal deliveries but also her range to shine once again. The lyrics are reflective of the past, pointing out moments of their youth and adolescence with a firm resolution of the here and now in the present.
The next song “Look After” starts with Garrison’s vocals followed by synth and a back-and-forth guitar chord progression and a charging drumbeat from Stevens, that shifts to allow Garrison some quiet for solo vocal moments before the melody picks up again. The lyrics strike me as a call to arms, directed at one human, to seize the opportunity in front of them.
“Object Permanence” kicks out of the gate with a driving drumbeat from Stevens and some striking guitar work. This song is one that’s impossible not to groove to. Those instruments really carry the melody throughout the song, each having portions to stand out but also blending together to make beautiful music. The lyrics explore existence and romance.
In the final song on the album, “Old Friend” it’s kickdrum from Stevens and guitars that carry the melody that is augmented by bass guitar. The vocals are delivered in kind tone overall that turns passionate when the melody is at a higher pitch. The lyrics tell of familiar settings that despite the known are frustrating because you’re not getting what you need from them.
Heart of the Artichoke gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It’s a very good album, relative to other 2024 releases. I think the album fits firmly into the upper portion of the 4 Scum Drops scale (see rating system here). With a chance to move as the year progresses and more music is released. Right now, it’s at least in the 80th percentile. It’s another leap forward for Garrison. There’s not much to dislike at all. I think it’s worth adding to your collection on any format(s) of your choosing.
Heart of the Artichoke Track listing (song length)
- Where I End and You Begin (3:39)
- Virtual Hug (3:10)
- Dollar Slice (4:35)
- Artichoke (2:44)
- Bumper Sticker (3:43)
- Night Swim (2:57)
- Carefully (3:18)
- Look After (2:21)
- Object Permanence (3:17)
- Old Friend (3:41)
Total runtime: 33:25
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The process with this album from start to finish will take you just over an hour if you listen twice. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
Bloomsday’s Bandcamp with music, merch is linked here. Their Instagram is right here and that’ll help you find more tour info, and the Bayonet Records store for more.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
