Over the years Belfast music blog and website Chordblossom have been a HUGE supporter of local artists from across Northern Ireland and Ireland. They’ve provided a platform for new and emerging artists and you can always catch them at gigs and events reviewing EP’s, albums and of course shouting about our special homegrown talent. As it happens Chordblossom are approaching their 10th birthday. 10 whole years? We can’t believe it! So to help them celebrate Team ATL caught up with Editor Robert Brown, to have a look at what they have lined up.
1. What is Chordblossom?
Chordblossom is a music website dedicated to showcasing the fantastic music scene here In Northern Ireland. For the last ten years our wonderful team of volunteers have reviewed singles, EPs & albums, written articles, carried out interviews, podcasted, produced video content, created playlists and hosted live shows, all with the desire to showcase Northern Irish artists.
2. Why is Chordblossom important?
One of the biggest complaints we hear from musicians is that they struggle to get their music featured. With commercial radio support pretty non existent, little chance of placement on streaming playlists and the decline of print media, opportunities are slim.
As we predominantly focus on Northern Irish artists, we have the time and space to spotlight music that may have gone under the radar before. Even if we don't manage to write about a track, there is a good chance you'll end up on our thoughtfully curated 'Fresh Music From Northern Ireland' monthly playlist.
As well as showcasing our musicians, the website has helped develop healthy portfolios for our writers and photographers and it has been lovely to see many of them move on and find careers in the arts industry, at organisations like the BBC and many other media outlets.
3. Favourite moments / highlights over the last 10 years?
I'd need too much space to talk about all the highlights but it has been a real privilege to be part of the wonderful community of musicians and professionals that make up the music scene here. We've made countless friends over the years and the regular thrill of discovering a new artist is unbeatable.
We've hosted some amazing gigs over the years and it makes us chuckle to think we had two of NI's recent success stories in Ryan McMullan and JC Stewart playing tiny capacity venues for us, when they both can comfortably sell out the Waterfront Hall now. We were lucky to host the debut performance of Jealous of the Birds way before she went on to sign with Atlantic Records and we have fond memories of sold out shows EP and album launches respectively for LORIS and Lauren Bird.
The real pleasure though is seeing artists that we've featured go on to bigger and better things. Our reason for existing is to champion musicians from these shores so to see musicians we've covered from the start of their journey breakthrough and achieve success and recognition is incredible. It is the artists that do all the hard work but it's nice to look back and see that we supported the likes of ROE, Cherym, Joshua Burnside, Brand New Friend, Wynona Bleach and the Wood Burning Savages in the early days.
4. Chordblossom Kickstart is back. What is it? How can people get involved?
Our Kickstart competition is the opportunity for one lucky musician or band to win a host of amazing prizes designed to boost their career. We will work with the winner to put out a new single by putting them in a studio to record, shoot a music video to go with it, get new promo shots via a professional photoshoot and receive career advice from an industry expert. Once that's done, there'll be a PR campaign to get your new release out into the world before you get to debut the new music at two of our biggest music festivals.
It really is a phenomenal package of prizes and includes some money can't buy opportunities. Previous winners include SOAK, Brand New Friend and Lauren Bird so there's plenty of proof that it can really give your career a shot in the arm.
You can find out more information and enter at http://www.chordblossom.com/win/kickstart2022. The deadline for entries is Saturday 5th March 2022.
5. Plans for the 10th anniversary?
We've a few things in the works that we can't talk about just yet but we will be hosting a big birthday bash on Friday 27th May in the Black Box. Some of our favourite artists over the last ten years will be joining us and who knows there might even be some cake...Keep an eye out for the full announcement soon.
Team ATL know the value of Chordblossom, and how important they are for local artists and creative talent...we wish you a happy 10th birthday, and a magnificent 2022! We can’t wait for the big birthday bash! Here’s to 10 more years dedicated to new music.
