Welcome to another exclusive chat session with remarkable talent! This week, we are thrilled to bring you an intimate conversation with Buddy Greenbloom, a gifted Americana recording artist and musician. With an audio engineering background and a lifelong love for music, Buddy has traversed an exciting journey, from performing at school productions in childhood to gracing the stages of New York’s iconic CBGB’s. Delving deep into his inspirations, creative process, and plans for the future, this conversation provides an intriguing glimpse into the life and work of an artist who is ceaselessly pushing his own boundaries.
Hey, thanks for chatting with us. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a songwriter and performer who began his journey as a stage and studio technician (audio engineer).
Who or what inspired you to start making music? And, when did you start?
I started performing in childhood. In addition to school productions of musical theater, I participated in congregational choirs and competed in acapella vocal contests. By the time I was in high school, I was performing professionally in local clubs and bars in Tempe Arizona opening for acts such as the Gin Blossoms and Roger Clyne.
What is your biggest challenge as an artist?
Feeling satisfied with my accomplishments. I’m constantly setting unrealistically high goals and not appreciating the success that manifests from setting such lofty goals.
What is your favorite project or single you have released?
In my home studio, I recorded the 2003 11-song tribute to the Jesus and Mary Chain, “My Little Underground.” The English duo had a profound effect on my musical development.
Thanks to the Jesus and Mary Chain tribute, I performed at CBGB’s in New York; the now-shuttered Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena; the Fonda Theater in Hollywood.
Who are your inspirations? What artists or bands are you listening to?
Recently Faron Young, Lou Reed, Johnny Cash, The Highwaymen, Sanford Clark, Marty Robbins, and Leonard Cohen. I grew up listening to new wave music. I was way into A Flock of Seagulls, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and The Cure — that whole U.K. second British invasion. I even liked the American bands like the Ramones, Blondie, and The Go-Go’s. I started doing western-sounding folk covers of songs like ‘People are People’ (by Depeche Mode) and that led me into composing original Americana songs.
What’s the process behind working on a song like?
I typically will have a hook line and I’ll build a story around that hook or idea. From there I craft an appropriate chord progression for the song’s mood and theme. Once I’m comfortable with a scratch recording, I’ll send it with charts to the producer in the studio. I don’t use Logic or any other AI bands. I hire Nashville session players.
Tell me about your upcoming music and what inspired you to create it!
I’ve been calling myself ‘The Gothic Cowboy,’ so I had to write an anthem, ‘Gothic Cowboy’ which will also be the title of my forthcoming LP. The Gothic Cowboys, celebrated the release of “Gothic Cowboy,” our fifth studio single, on Thursday, May 18, at Trip Santa Monica.
What are your plans for 2023?
My goal is to record a collaboration with another artist before the end of the year and play at some festivals or fairs. I would like to increase my booking and performance fees.
Have any shoutouts?
I’d like to shout out to Adam Knight at AOK Productions in Nashville and Eric McCann of ELM Audioworks in Los Angeles.
As we look forward to his upcoming LP, “Gothic Cowboy”, we’re reminded of the dynamism and innovation that Buddy brings to the Americana genre. This insightful conversation with Buddy underlines the importance of setting lofty goals and striving towards them, as well as acknowledging the accomplishments along the way. Let’s stay tuned to see where Buddy’s musical journey takes him next. Check out Buddy Greenbloom’s music on Spotify or wherever you stream music online.