Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter Hazel Bloom released his latest single, "growing pains," earlier this month. The track is energetic and punchy, serving as an anthem for those who dwell in negative self-talk. His artistry transcends time, bringing a nostalgic tinge of mid-2000s pop-punk in the vein of All Time Low and MOD SUN. We sat down with Hazel Bloom to discuss his biggest influences, and favorite tracks!
1. 22 (OVER S∞∞N)- Bon Iver
"This track inspired me the second I heard it. The overall meaning behind the song is 'it might be over soon.' Justin Vernon says, 'The bad stuff might be over soon, but maybe the good stuff might be over soon, so you'd better figure out how to enjoy this life and participate in it.' Thats been a constant motivation for me to keep working as hard as I can on my music to get to where I want to be."
2. Robbers - The 1975
"This has been one of my favorite songs for years. I just love everything about it, and the amount of emotions that fly through my body every time I hear it. The euphoric feeling and chills I get from this song is exactly why I started making music. I want to give people that kind of euphoric feeling when they hear my music, that would be success to me."
3. Ghosts - Lydia
"This song inspired me years ago when I was in a darker place. The orchestral type sound that comes in and out is just beautiful to me. This has always been a song that stuck with me because of the line 'got so much to do before we die, yea if I survive.' That line really resonates with me and inspires me to keep going for what it is I want out of life."
4. Jesus Christ - Brand New
"I grew up on pop punk and that’s the music that made me who I am today. This song brings me back to my teen years and how I had no worries in the world then. This song keeps me going, to make my younger self proud. This is the foundation of my life, and reminds me to never lose my youth."
5. Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard
"I remember it was a summer afternoon in August. I had just turned 10 years old and I popped my 'Now 16' CD into my CD player. I was in my backyard jamming to this CD with my mom. The song that came on that totally changed my life was 'Ocean Avenue' by Yellowcard.
It was a genre that I had never heard before. The pop vocals mixed with a more punk sound resonated with me like I couldn’t believe. It was at that moment I realized that I wanted to make music that gives people the same feeling I felt that day. A feeling of euphoria that makes you feel fully connected with yourself and others around you."