Estimated reading time: 19 minute(s)
Originally published 8.9.09
(Blogger’s Note: Fiona Bloom is another Twitter Connection I made via Sharon Carpenter of BET. Once I read the website of Fiona, I was blown away! She has an array of gifts and is heading this week to narrate a Beatles Tribute for over 2,000 soldiers at the Fort Monroe Army Base Concert on August 13th in VA Beach. I went one-on-one with her about her ventures.)
Brother Jesse: Please give me a little background about yourself.
Fiona Bloom: I was born and raised in London, England. I’m a classically trained concert pianist. Studied music and theatre intensely from age 4-22. Music is my lifeblood and in my veins and the acting part- well let’s just say- I love the stage- but I’ll let my artists be on stage and I just spectate- unless of course I’m the host and up on the mic introducing the acts and the night…That gets my adrenalin flowing…
Brother Jesse: How and when did you get involved in the music industry?
Fiona Bloom: Well if you count being a musician (which I do), I started when I was 5 but as far as the ‘business’ side of things…Started when I was 26… I was so knowledgeable in the music as a historian/lover of it and art appreciator that I didn’t even come to realize record labels existed until I was working at a radio station…I studied liner notes, back to front inside out sidemen, producers, musicians, lyrics and never even noticed the logos on bottom till one day one of my DJ’s at the station was trying to get an interview with A Flock of Seagulls and had to call Arista to set it up – I was like who???
Brother Jesse: Who are some of the artists you have helped to launch their careers?
Fiona Bloom: Um— so many to be honest and some I don’t really get the credit for but here you go-MF DOOM, Blackalicious, Atmosphere, Sway as far as Stateside-he’s a UK MC- Anthony David, Wayna, Roxy Cottontail, DJ Spinna, Proton, Miz Metro, Swollen Members in U.S, Maya Azucena and many others..
Brother Jesse: What are some major projects you are working on?Fiona Bloom: I’ve been working on this multi-installation art mash up called Project Art which hopefully will be a National Series. I’m co-producing a big World Hip Hop showcase during CMJ- October 21st…My 3rd big event for them. I’ve also been developing this very young artist who has been blogging for me for quite a while – Miz Metro- she’s so talented, web savvy, great blogger, multi-faceted…The blog called Miz Metro Mondayz on The Bloom Blog….She’s releasing her debut album this month called ‘Unlimited’ and we’re getting a ton of exposure/visibility and lots of label interest….. I’m also in the works for a big website launch…Can’t disclose at this time and The Bloom Effect has put in bids for other major clients which I’ll know about shortly!
Also, I just picked up Beat Kangz Electronics new product that’s launching called Beat Thang Music production unit and Beat Thang Virtual software. The Beat Thang virtual is going to be what Guitar Hero has become in the Rock World for Urban Music!- This is serious and a must own for any producer/DJ/Remixer.
Brother Jesse: You recently took a trip across seas to Israel. What was the purpose?
Brother Jesse: What are five songs in heavy rotation in your I-Pod?
Fiona Bloom: I have so many but here’s my 5 that’s current…
Zaki Ibrahim – “Computer Girl†from ‘Eclectica’
Miz Metro “City Screams†‘Unlimited’
K’Naan “I Come Prepared†w/ Damian Marley ‘Troubadour’
Axum- Freha (Israeli Hip Hop)
The Beatards “Nasty Funky†– from their self titled EP
Brother Jesse: For those who think public relations and artist management is easy, please talk about the behind the scenes work.
Fiona Bloom: Easy- wow- first off nothing’s easy-:-) It’s literally 24/7..Can’t stop, won’t stop- that’s literally how you have to be all the time…There’s no break, no vacations, no nothing….Well that’s if you’re as dedicated and love it as much as I do…. We’re at shows, we’re on the phones, we’re answering hundreds of emails…We have to be on point with follow through- have thorough conversations and be clear with detail…Social media- this is as equally as important as the day to day emails/phone conferences…Now we need to Tweet, update our status, blog, text campaigns, as well as the day to day traditional publicity and making sure the artists/clients are happy and equally busting their butts as hard as me!
