Full Bloom are a Metalcore band based in Auckland. The band is made up of 5 members who definitely aren’t new to all of this: Louis Hill (Banks Arcade), Matt Edwards (The Inquisition), Richard Moore (Silent Torture), Keiran Walsh (Braves), Scott Waugh (Advocates).
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CHECK OUT OUR LITTLE CATCH-UP WITH THE BAND BELOW:
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1. Happy NZ Music Month! How did you initially get into creating music?
Richard: I started playing guitar because I used to love guitar hero, which is a more common progression than I would have thought! I also had a fantastic guitar teacher who made me write songs (thanks Sims).
Louis: I would listen to my ipod at school and think, if all I have to do is scream…
Matt: In high school I joined a death metal band doing vocals. I was very interested in how the rest of the guys wrote the instrumentals and how my vocals would connect with the rest of the song. I spent loads of my time watching them record and write and that inspired me to start writing and recording.
Scott: My step brother at the time started to learn guitar and would bring home his lessons. I basically did his music course through him leaving his guitar and lessons in his room. I started to write music when I met Keiran in high school.
Keiran: My dad plays guitar, my nana is a god on piano and both my brothers play drums. I was bound to play an instrument at some point. I didn’t start playing music until I was 15 in a school band with Scott. He asked if I knew any drummers and told him I play even though I’d never even tried. Our first practice was so bad. Well I was so bad. I then heard a rumour the next day that I’d be kicked out of the band so I spent that whole week learning Smells Like Teen Spirit. Somehow, I pulled it off and have been playing ever since.
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2. Tell us about your inspirations & motivations?
Richard: I want to make music that changes the way people think about things in a positive way, and also surprises them a little.
Louis: People enjoying it and coming to shows motivates and inspires me to become better.
Matt: Things that inspire me are my surroundings, and the people who I am surrounded by. I don’t have a whole lot of motivation, but in terms of music inspiration, a lot of non metal genres have recently inspired me to somehow incorporate them into the Full Bloom genre.
Scott: I just want the music that we create to be real. I am inspired by bands that release music that comes from a very real place.
Keiran: I’m inspired musically a lot by the people around me. I jam with so many different family members and friends, playing so many different genres. All of them are so talented that I’m inspired and I guess motivated by them to play better so they can play at their best. Also if the drummer screws up everyone notices.
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3. What have you been up to in this lockdown and how has it affected you?
Richard: Writing songs, playing guitar, watching anime, playing Magic the Gathering, doing yoga, and learning Japanese. I’m not super sociable so it’s been fine for me, but I do miss my girlfriend.
Louis: It’s been tough, we released an EP during lockdown but as all shows are postponed, we can’t tour it. But everyone is in the same boat. It’s given me time to perfect bread making though.
Matt: The lockdown has been very boring but it’s also positive in a way, because we have been able to create the skeleton for the next album, which is so good as it will mean less stress when it comes to recording. I have to say this next release will be more focused on what we WANT to sound like rather than what we think we SHOULD sound like. It will be interesting to see peoples reactions.
Scott: I tend to be a pretty introverted person anyway but I have definitely used this time to become a healthier version of myself. I find it difficult to write music by myself so I am looking forward to getting together again with the fellas.
Keiran: Hey, Corona, fff off aye. Get out of here. I pretty much slept a lot more during lockdown, never checked the time, played a lot of games, watched YouTube and went for walks and bike rides. It didn’t affect me too much really because I accidentally drilled my thumb not too long ago and just got back to work after recovery. Glad that people I know are safe so can’t complain. Sorry to all those people affected by this pandemic
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4. What do you think of the NZ music scene?
Richard: It’s very small which has upsides and downsides, but it has been great to see everyone helping venues get through this time. It makes me proud of the scene.
Louis: Supportive, and looking at the Whammy donation fund and the community spirit right now, I feel lucky to be a part.
Matt: 2009-2013 was my highlight in the scene. So many great bands playing shows having fun. Playing venues in small church backrooms, and art rooms! Everyone was having fun and supporting each other, the hardcore scene was alive!!! I felt it dropped off after that for a while, but in the past few years it has picked up again with new and old bands really stepping up the game for NZ heavy music. I can’t wait to be a part of it again!!
Scott: Being the Grandpa of the band I have been pretty slack with keeping up with the local scene for the past few years although I gotta say local bands have been releasing quality stuff lately. “Back in my day” it was fairly rare for bands to have a decent quality music video / EP and there are some amazing ones out there right now.
Keiran: Most of my teenage life consisted of going to or playing shows and every band pretty much used my drum kit. It was a big part of my life. I absolutely loved every bit of it. I’ve played all over the country and met so many decent people. Sadly so many good New Zealand bands have called it quits during that time when they have so much potential. I haven’t been to a local show in a little while but I’m excited to be a part of it again soon with Full Bloom
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5. Goal board time – where would you like to see yourself in a years time?
Richard: In a year I’d think we should have an album finished, and be looking at releasing it and touring. Also an international support or two would be great.
Louis: Hopefully have another release, and some headlining slots!
Matt: My goal with Full Bloom has always been to play shows outside of NZ. Thats a huge dream of mine. Also just to release music with the boys that we love and to have fun and take this as far as we can!
Scott: I am for sure looking forward to touring with the lads. Our EP will have been out for a while by the time we get to play so it will be great to finally play them live in front of a crowd
Keiran: My goal for the next 5 years is actually to start a portfolio and buy rentals. I’m a builder so I love that kind of thing. I feel like that is the best way to help fund my music endeavours. I’m also writing a comic book with some friends so I’m excited to see what happens with that in that amount of time.
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CHECK OUT THEIR MOST RECENTLY RELEASED EP ‘BLACK LUNG’ BELOW:
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