Marisa Bloom – Artist Spotlight and Interview
Ralph Beauchamp
Marissa Bloom is the energetic lead singer of New Haven punk band Trashing Violet. In addition, she has recently released several solo singles. Marissa Talks to AMP about all things music and her crazy life.
Marissa What a Renaissance woman. She is not only a musician but also a journalist (Marissa Occasional writer for AMP), reviewer and mom. Her Rockmommy blog features musicians who continue to play even though they have children and other responsibilities. She plays guitar and sings in her incredible band Trashing Violet. She juggles it all with family responsibilities, including attending her son’s sporting events. Even though her life was a whirlwind, I never saw Marissa Make her lose her cool. She always goes out of her way to promote her band and support the local music scene. She is definitely an inspiration to many.
Marissa It is an honor to be interviewed by AMP for this in-depth interview.
AMP: What made you become a musician?
Marissa: My first love is writing. I wrote my first novel when I was 8 and my first two songs when I was 10, which were little melodies in my head. In high school, I studied poetry and served as editor of our literary magazine. Initially, I just picked up a guitar—my first musical instrument—so I could turn my poetry into music. But by the time I graduated college, I had fallen in love with the instrument. It was my battle weapon and constant companion when I fronted my first two bands: an all-girl punk trio called Girls Without Skin (alongside my friend Debbie Carry), and a band called Girls Without Skin. Grandma’s Mini’s imitation rock band (with my friend Ann Brandstadter). We still perform together when I visit Maryland!
AMP: You write your own blog (Rockmommy), lead a band (Trashing Violet) and raise a family. How do you handle all this responsibility?
Marissa: I’m pretty good at time management. I spend 3-5 hours a week blogging and 3-5 hours a week playing music. It helps that I’m also healthy – I prioritize sleep, exercise and work-life balance. I would love to spend more time on my art and blog, but being a full-time freelance writer and raising kids keep me very busy these days.
AMP: You have released several singles as a solo artist. What determines whether your song is suitable for a band or a solo?
Marissa: This is a difficult question to answer and mostly depends on intuition. For example: When I started playing the opening guitar riff for my band Trashing Violet’s 2022 single “Grip,” I knew it belonged to the band. We jammed together and took the song into another realm – now it’s loved. Doug (bass/vocals), Nick (drums/vocals), and I have been playing music together for over five years. Sometimes I’ll come up with a riff or a poem and discuss it with the group. Other times, one of the guys would come up with an idea, like a bass line, and I’d write the lyrics. We have a new guitarist, Niles, who is as excited as we are about making new music.
AMP: Who were your early influences?
Marissa: Overall, Courtney Love is probably my biggest influence. She is so raw and real. I’ll never forget the first Hole concert in the fall of 1994 at a venue called WUST (now the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.) when I was just starting to learn guitar and was inspired by her. I’m also inspired by a lot of Maryland artists, having spent much of my childhood and 20s in Washington, D.C., especially Clutch and indie singer-songwriter Mary Prankster. She is one of the most talented and hilarious lyricists and one of the greatest performers. I’ve probably listened to her record “Blue Skies Over Dundalk” at least 500 times.
Looking back to my youth, I can think of some of the pop stars who shaped me – Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and George Michael. However, from the moment I first heard Violent Femmes at the age of 15, everything changed. Still, when my orchestra opens for Tiffany at the Wall Street Theater (now Norwalk Regional Music Hall) in 2023, it will truly be a full-circle moment. I can’t believe we are talking about nursing and raising children together!
AMP: What is your creative process like?
Marissa: I try to sit with my acoustic guitar and notepad at least twice a week in the morning and just strum chords and let my thoughts flow. However, my best material also comes at inopportune moments, such as when I’m jogging or driving (and have to stop to record a voice memo). I send small videos to my hymns and choirs. I would play the song over and over again until the lyrics were just right. Sometimes I have to put a song aside and come back to it a month or two later.
AMP: As a member of the growing New Haven music community, do you think the Ct music scene is on the rise?
Marissa: Yes! That number has been rising since the world reopened in 2021. There aren’t enough venues and porches to accommodate all the talent.
Amplifier: You have participated in many women-related shows and events. Is the music industry fairer to today’s female artists?
Marissa: Yes and no. Pop music is a resounding yes—as is country music—but the rock world is largely dominated by one gender. I recently wrote an article for the New Haven Independent exploring the reasons why more dads play in rock bands than moms do. This is the result of a variety of issues—from systemic sexism to a lack of encouragement for young women to pick up an instrument. Many moms are discouraged from using their precious little free time to do things like join a band instead of volunteering for their child’s PTA.
Additionally, there is the issue of age or ageism. While age seems to have little effect on the sales of male vocalists, many female musicians over the age of 35 (especially vocalists) lament that it is now increasingly difficult to compete for the opening or headlining spots they scored easily in their 20s. It can be frustrating, so I just try to control what I can control: I keep practicing and trying to make sure every performance is high energy and super engaging.
AMP: What drives you?
Marissa: A passion for being the absolute best.
AMP: As a self-proclaimed “gearhead,” what is your favorite stage setup?
Marissa: I absolutely love my gear! These days my vocal mic of choice is a Sennheiser e935 and my main guitar is a Gibson SG Standard, although I also use a Fender Strat from time to time. I love my super easy-to-use digital amplifier – it’s the Fender Mustang II. I usually just use MXR Super Badass distortion pedals and Boss tuning pedals, unlike my bandmates who use 8.5 million pedals on each pedal board.
My bandmate Niles recently loaned me a spare reverb pedal that may appear at a future gig. During my solo gigs, I alternate between a prized, 20-year-old Yamaha acoustic guitar and my new Gibson ES-335, a semi-hollow body that I only play in public Once, because it is so precious and new.
AMP: What’s next for Marissa and Junk Violet?
Marissa: After a short break in early summer, Trashing Violet is busier than ever. We’re hosting some great local acts in Connecticut this fall – a trio of acts with Hell Fairies, Corpse Flowers and Turkey Vultures on October 25th; Collaboration Stella Blues. We also hope to land in New York again in early 2025! In the meantime, I’ve been recording more songs for my upcoming solo album, which is due out in 2025. , maybe again before November.
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