The fourth video is here and that means one thing..... the new album is going to be released very soon! Just twelve more days. I know I've said this in previous blogs, but I CAN'T WAIT for this thing to be out. It feels like an eternity ago when we started recording. Probably because it was.... we started recording a year ago. Wow, that was weird just typing it out. We were playing a show last night in Clarksville, TN and were talking to some friends in another band, Blackwater James. They are about to start their new album. They say that their's will take two months to track, mix, and master. I can't imagine doing a Manic Bloom album that quickly. But, they're are paying for their tracking time which we didn't. I suppose that was our downfall and our saving grace. It dragged things out for us, but it allowed us to spend as much time as we needed to get things sounding the way we wanted them to.
So, my video is about the song Toynbee. Weird name, I know. The title comes from a short story entitled "The Toynbee Convector." If you read the story, you'll definitely understand the meaning of the song much better. I'd suggest checking it out. It's very interesting. All that said, I hope you enjoy the video and we can't wait to get the new album out to everybody! Thanks to you guys, we can get excited about seeing our fans react to the new music. You all help keep us going more than you know.
Brink
Hey there fellow Bloomers,
We are moving right along with our video promos, and I have to say that the release date is building up some very admirable excitement from our end. We are still pushing forward with many pre-sale orders, and you can still get yours at www.MANICBLOOM.com and if you order before the release you get yours signed by all 4 of us....ok, if you treat us right, we'll all 5 sign it....ha, ha
In other news, we were just chosen for this month's winner for Artist of the Month on www.STEREOFAME.com Go check it out and read the article that was written about us. It is very very well written and intriguing. David's brother, Michael need to be thanked by all far and wide for his effort in helping us acquire this prestigious award. He has taken full initiative to make this happen for us. It is a very cool site that allows you to listen to and interact with bands while accumulating points. If you, as a fan go and do this, you could get things like ipod or XBOX. If you go to Stereofame.com and watch the video, it can give you more info if you are interested.
I also want to say real quick that I was able to attend a show this week that featured all bass players from all walks of life. I am endorsed with Eden Bass and Eden Electronics and my good friend Lane Baldwin pulled me into the show last minute, right after we got done playing at Hard Rock Cafe and put me right in front of the crowd....when none other than Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey were taking the stage. So there I am, front row and listening/watching arguably the 2 best bass players in the world....it was .....AWESOME!!!!
ENJOY the cooler beating (thanx David), Cheerio hat wearing, Cookie Duster ending movie folks.
AndiRoo
We've posted another video about our upcoming release "In Loving Memory" - this time about the song A Thousand Angels. I'm pumped about these things - I think Matt's doing a killer job on putting them together. (If you agree, say so in the comments!)
Just between you and me, the preorders (which are all autographed, by the way) might arrive in mailboxes before July 20th. I will say that I've got a lot of sealed envelopes surrounding my computer desk right now...
We've been playing a lot of local shows lately - just finished a SESAC showcase at 12th and Porter with November and Sharif Iman - it was rockin! We were supposed to play a pool party in Murfreesboro on Saturday, but the worry of rain meant there was no sound system... But hopefully we'll be down soon to make it up for all the folks that were planning to rock out with us!
Also pretty pumped about how the USA did on their World Cup today...
Without further ado, here's a little insight into A Thousand Angels:
-David
MB
Hey Bloomers,
Matt here. Over the past year or two I've discovered another passion other than music...video. So I got myself a FLIP, and away I went. If you talk to the guys they'll tell you that if I don't have my guitar in my hand I probably have the camera.
So with that in mind, we got the idea to create videos to document the recording process of each song. We stuck each person in front of the camera and here's what you get. I just posted the first of what will be weekly promotional videos. I hope you like it.
Matt
-Manic Bloom
The day is fast approaching, so things are starting to change...
There are two new songs from our new EP (In Loving Memory) on the website right now - many of you have probably heard them (or some version of them), but we're wanting to start giving you a taste of what is to come. We'll be posting more of the songs over the next couple of weeks - please let us know what you think of them! We'll also have some videos with a bit of insight into the writing/recording process for each of the songs.
My goodness, we've been working on this project for almost a year (sorry for saying we'd release it in January!!), and it's release is finally upon us. I'm EXCITED! I'm actually going to pick up the physical copies of the CDs today - the preorders might ship a little earlier than the release date (which is still simply Mid-July - we don't know exactly what date yet), so go preorder if you're as excited as we are...
The ball is rolling, and there will be MUCH more news soon, so stay tuned!
-David
MB
Hey Bloomers,
This is just a story that has nothing to do with music or our band...but a good one, i promise.
I just wanted to write you all real quick about an amazing trip that I just got back from in West Palm Beach Florida. I originally went down for a wedding, but came to find out that my Father in Law had some big plans ahead for our little mini vacation while we were there. While we did many fun things from golf to great eats in Miami, I have to tell you about a very interesting portion of my trip.
One of the mornings Papa told me that he was going to take me and my future brother in law, Luke Smallbone out deep sea fishing. Luke and I hardly slept the night before as we had never had the opportunity to do so. We were like to 5 year old brothers on Christmas morning. As we took off from the dock the waters became very rough and it was like being on a roller coaster ride in the middle of the ocean. (No, i did not get sea sick, thank God)
In the beginning we were not having much luck with catching anything, but after an hour or so that all turned around. If you have never been deep sea fishing, it is a little different than the ol' Indiana way of putting a worm on the hook and gazing at a piece of orange styrofoam for hours on end. This was quite involved...6 inch fish held on 2 hooks followed by giant sinker...and your thumb better be ready for some holdin', cuz there ain't no nice little handy button to stop your whole reel from letting into the 300 foot abyss.
All this to say, we were just about ready to wrap it up and the captain told us to all pull our lines in when I got a huge bite...I mean this was the most tug I had felt all day....I was slowly, but surely bringing in my great catch and closer and closer to the boat he came...I could feel my fatigue of the 5 or 6 minutes of tug and release starting to set it...when suddenly my line and hook just took off like wild fire.....Zingy zing zing....I was just watching the line disappear on the reel about as fast as it could go out...I'm tugging, but to no avail...then.....then.....nothing.
.
...
No Tug!
No zing zing!
No bent pole.
As I reeled in, what I thought was a broken line, I found that my little 6 inch fish had caught what seemed to have been a 24 inch fish at one time, but now was just a head ripped from its body because a SHARK had stole my prize possession. As I thought about the way my bait had to take one for the team, the 24 incher had to take one for the team...and the shark...well, he just straight up stole from me. So, my question to all of you is...do sharks have to deal with karma?
What do you think?
Andiroo
You might be wondering what the subject is about... That's at the end of this blog...
Quick update! EP is recorded, mixed and mastered!! We've been working on the artwork for the last week or so, and I think we've got it nailed down so we'll be sending it off to the manufacturers the beginning of next week! WHOO HOO! The actual release date looks like it's going to be sometime in July. I know, I know - we said it would be out in January, and we've been stringing everyone along for a really long time - but we're in the home stretch! We've still got quite a bit of work to do (new design for the website, new press materials and bio, a bunch of videos about the songs and the recording process, a secret website project, etc, etc - all the stuff that goes along with a new release). Hopefully you'll be able to hear the songs well before the actual release date (especially if you've pre-ordered the EP...). We're trying to be smart about everything, so that it doesn't show up on torrent sites before you can even buy it from iTunes!
In other news, recently I was fortunate enough to spend a bit of time in France and Italy. My wife has wanted to go since she was a little girl, so we've been saving for the past five years to take the trip, and I'll leave you with one story:
We were flying from Rome to Paris in order to catch a connecting flight back home, and I set the metal detector off going through security. No big deal - I kept going back through, taking things out of my pockets, trying to find the culprit - but I just couldn't find it. Finally, the female security guard who didn't speak much English said "Take off your pants."
What?
My... My pants?
"Yes."
Are you asking if I have any pens? I don't have any pens.
"Take off your pants."
So, there I am, about to take my pants off in an italian airport (I figure being pantsless in the airport is better than some of the other searches I might have to endure), when the guard again says "Take off your pants," and tugs on her belt.
Ahhh! My belt!
Hey Bloomers!
I just want to fill you in on what we have done this week. We have finally gotten all the mixes done. A huge "Thank You" and "What an AWESOME Job" to Tobias Lindell in Sweden for doing our amazing mixes. We go to have them mastered this week and hope to have the new album in your hands sooner than later.
It has also be a huge blessing to pick up the bass and join the rest of the boys in an actual practice and a couple shows this past week. Seems like it has been forever since we have actually been out there playing and mingling with you all. We played this past Thursday for the 102.9 The Buzz's Battle of the Bands (Thank you Tony Stone) in Murfreesboro and won the semi final round. We will play the finals next Thursday April 29th at Lanes Trains and Automobiles (Good Time Charlie's), so please come and support us to win this thing.
We also played in the Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands this week at Hard Rock Cafe. It was some steep competition and some really great bands, however we took 3 place, so we are not advancing in that for the next week....Sad Day!
Last night we had an interview with Mike Rimmer (get over your cold quick buddy), a DJ from London who was in Nashville for some of the well known GMA week events. He asked some very intriguing questions that most DJ interviewers have not asked before, so Thank you Mike for going outside the box a little with the question and answer time.
We also finally met with a booking agent who will be helping us plan our Summer/Fall tour dates if all goes as planned...our fingers are crossed. Please hit us up if you have somewhere that you want us to add to the list to check out as far as venues go.
Matt has also been diligently working on some spectacular video for our new album, so get psyched about seeing some behind the scene footage from recording and just goofing off as well.
As always, we love you all very much and please please please come talk to us at our shows, on our blogs, and visit us every Monday night for Manic Monday on Ustream.com.
God Bless!
AndiRoo
Manic Bloom
We're starting a street team! It's something we had tried to do in the past, but it never really materialized. We had awesome people wanting to help us out, but the problem was that we didn't give them enough to do, we didn't really give direction, and we didn't have a way of keeping things organized. Well, now we do.
Today, we are officially launching a website for our street team at www.manicbloom.com/streetteam, and it's going to be awesome! It will allow anyone interested to create a profile, download resources, complete tasks, and message other members, all in one central location. For every task completed, points are given that can be used to move up in street team rank and get free merchandise and exclusive Manic Bloom content.
So basically...WE NEED YOU. Please sign up for the street team. There's nobody better to help us get our music out there than the people that already enjoy listening to it.
Matt
-Manic Bloom
Hey everyone,
We just wanted to let you know that we have a new song on our "free" section for download. We've been finishing up the album, and we're really excited to let you hear the mixed version of "A Thousand Angels". We've been playing this song live for a long time, so it's a cool feeling to finally get it recorded.
If you're getting this in your email, then you've already signed up for the mailing list and the password for the free section is at the bottom of this email. Just go to http://www.manicbloom.com/free. If you're not on our mailing list but you want this song, you're gonna have to sign up to get it. We'll send you the password once you do.
Leave comments on here to let us know your thoughts about the song and whether you like it. We hope you do.
Look Dad Creative
