Genres folk pop Origin Hamilton, Canada | Website www.ashandbloom.com Genre Folk rock | |
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Members James Bloemendal, Matt McKenna Albums Let the Storm Come, The Spark, Ash & Bloom Record labels Jad Media Inc., Jad Media Inc Associated acts Justin Hines, Peter Katz, Julie Crochetière Similar Justin Hines, The DoneFors, Mr Something Something, Julie Crochetière, Peter Katz | ||
Ash & Bloom is a Canadian folk pop duo, from Hamilton, Ontario. The duo consists of James Bloemendal (vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, percussion) and Matt McKenna (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion). Ash & Bloom was formed out of a University choir, in which both members were active. In 2013, Ash & Bloom joined Canadian singer-songwriter and Order of Ontario recipient Justin Hines on his North American Vehicle of Change Tour. Following the tour, the act was signed to Toronto label and management company JAD Media Inc., a division of Orange Lounge Recordings. They have performed alongside other notable acts such as Christopher Cross, Basia Bulat, The Wooden Sky and John & Jacob.
Contents
History
While attending Redeemer University College in Hamilton, Ontario, Matt McKenna and James Bloemendal met in the choir. Shortly after, they joined forces with other local musicians to round out the band Garner. In early 2013 after parting ways with Garner, Ash & Bloom played a show in Port Perry, Ontario alongside singer-songwriter Stacey Kaniuk, a longtime friend of singer Justin Hines. Hines attended the show and loved the performance, asking the duo if they wanted to join him on his North American "Vehicle of Change Tour." From June to October 2013, Ash & Bloom traveled with Hines across North America. Following the tour, the duo signed with Toronto label Orange Lounge Recordings and JAD Media.
Ash & Bloom EP
Ash & Bloom's self-titled EP was released November 2013, which featured 4 tracks written by McKenna and Bloemendal as well as Julie Crochetiere and Karen Kosowski; "Let The Storm Come", "Heaven Is A Ghost Town", "If You Stay" and "You Need More Than Love". An animated music video for "Heaven Is A Ghost Town" was released the same month, noted by fans as controversial for depicting characters such as Oprah, Gandhi and Ellen DeGeneres not making it into heaven. The video received mixed reviews from press.
Let The Storm Come
On June 24, 2014, Ash & Bloom's debut studio album Let The Storm Come was released in North America featuring songs co-written by Peter Katz, Caroline Brooks (The Good Lovelies), Julie Crochetiere and Rob Szabo. The album debuted at No. 10 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts and received praise across Canada for its songwriting and production. The day after the album release, the duo surprised fans by sharing an exclusive through Exclaim Magazine for the "Your Hero" music video. CBCMusic featured Ash & Bloom's song "Manna for My Soul" as their Song of the Week, following the release of the album. Let The Storm Come was nominated for a Hamilton Music Award in 2015 for Folk/Traditional Recording of the Year. The band also received a nomination for New Artist/Group of the Year.
Let The Storm Come was released in Australia and New Zealand on February 6, 2015 through MGM Distribution. Following the release, Ash & Bloom toured Australia, performing 5 times as part of the Port Fairy Folk Festival alongside acts such as Sinead O'Connor and Buffy Sainte-Marie.
This Town (Hamilton)
During the 2015 JUNO Award week, which took place in Hamilton, Ash & Bloom released a video for their song "This Town (Hamilton)", from their debut album Let The Storm Come. The video featured prominent Hamilton residents or natives, such as Melissa McClelland, Janine Stoll and Lisa Winn from Ladybird Sideshow, Boris Brott, Brandon Bliss from Monster Truck, Peter Dyakowski from the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Mayor Fred Eisenberger as well as cast/crew from CHCH, K-Lite, CHML and writers from The Spectator and Hamilton Magazine. As one of Hamilton's own, Ash & Bloom performed in JUNOfest 2015.
Discography
Songs
Manna for My SoulLet the Storm Come · 2014
Heaven Is a Ghost TownLet the Storm Come · 2014
You Carry MeLet the Storm Come · 2014