Birmingham Alabama

Interview: Brett Bellomy of Empire Springs

December 17, 2022 — 2 Comments

Empire Springs is a progressive rock band hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. I discovered them thanks to a friend, and when I researched the band for my most recent 3 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following, I was impressed. It was very exciting to have the opportunity to speak with vocalist/bassist Brett Bellomy.

**

First and foremost, thank you so much for doing this! And congratulations on the release of your debut album [The Luminescence, April 2022]

BB: Thank you so much, we really appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!

Let’s start with some basics. How/When did Empire Springs form?

BB: Empire Springs, in its original form, started in 2016 when I was in college. I was playing bass in a different band and the singer quit somewhat unexpectedly. He had been the primary songwriter in that band, so even though the rest of the band wanted to keep playing music we didn’t feel comfortable playing his songs without him. I happened to have a few songs written that we hadn’t worked on yet, so we decided to play my songs and have me take over vocals. We changed the name to Empire Springs and started writing/recording songs under that name. The band was just a studio project for several years, but after several member changes we started playing live shows around 2018. 

Where did the band name come from?

BB: There’s a road sign between my hometown and my current city that reads “Empire” and “Blount Springs” for two separate counties. Because of the way the sign is formatted, it looks like Empire Springs is together. A few months after starting the new band I was driving between the cities with a friend of mine. They pointed out that “Empire Springs” would be a good band name and I liked the idea so the name stuck.

It really does work well. Your friend was right. So, what made you want to pursue a music career?

BB: I don’t remember a specific moment where I knew I wanted to pursue music professionally, but my parents really wanted me to go to college after high school. Music had been my primary elective/activity in high school (marching band, choir, etc) so when the time came to choose a major music was really the only thing I was interested in. 

Who are your biggest influences?

BB: For me personally I would say bands like Coheed and Cambria and Saosin influences my vocals the most. For the band as a whole it’s a little harder– we all draw influence from different places. But if I had to pick one, I think our most agreed upon band is definitely The Contortionist. 

Where do you draw your inspiration for your songs?

BB: That’s a really tough question– I think it largely depends on the songs. With our album The Luminescence, the songs came from a place of storytelling. We were really trying to make a cohesive collection of songs that work together to paint a bigger picture. Because of that, it’s not really rooted in personal experience as much. However we have some new songs (that I can’t talk too much about yet) that are all much more grounded in personal experience and my own perspective. 

Ah, okay. I’m excited to hear new music from y’all! While on the subject of The Luminescence, can you tell me a little bit about the songwriting and recording process?

BB: For sure! I am the primary songwriter for the band, so most of the time I have a demo recorded that I’ll send to the band. Everyone tweaks their own parts separately, kinda building off of the skeleton of the demo. We’ll usually bounce ideas for the demo around via email and everyone kinda works on it remotely. Since we don’t all live in the same state, when the time comes to record there are some songs we’ve never actually played together in a room. At first I found that intimidating, but now I really enjoy the long distance collaboration– the process may seem a little disjointed, but it really works for us. There’s an element of trust that we have with each other that is really unique because of our circumstances.

I found there to be a lot of complexity throughout the album, and I love the balance of mellow and heavy, clean vs. harsh vocals. Has anyone in the band studied composition? That may be a badly worded question, but I am amazed at how a mind must work to put music together like that.

BB: I really appreciate that! That’s definitely one thing I think we excel at, and we’ve definitely worked hard to be able to balance those things. Three of the four members have music degrees, and our keyboardist Chadwick actually has two– one in piano performance and one in composition. Even though my degree wasn’t specifically in composition, being the songwriter for our band has forced me to study the songs and bands I like very seriously so I can better understand my role. 

Well, that answers my next question. I wanted to say that the interlude was beautiful and ask who the pianist was.

BB: Chadwick wrote that piece. He also wrote the back half of our song “Khan” (when the piano and orchestra takes over). He’s very talented at knowing how to write and arrange for piano and orchestra, so we try to take advantage of that when we can.

For my own personal curiosity, what is the story behind “Drawing Lines”? (That was one of my favorite tracks.)

BB: “Drawing Lines” was actually the first song I ever wrote for Empire Springs. When I decided to take over being the singer, it was the first demo I presented to the band. Because the song is unusually personal for me, I usually try to stay somewhat vague when explaining its meaning. But to speak broadly, I was at an impasse in my life. The direction I felt like I should move would put me outside my comfort zone, and carried a lot of uncertainty with it. I struggled with it a lot, but ultimately it ended up being a really good thing for my life and mental health. “Drawing Lines” for me is a personal testament to that point in my life, but I think it could be interpreted differently for others. Either way I’m thankful that you and others connect with it.

I love when songs are personal to the artist, yet presented in a manner in which everyone listening can find some part they connect with.

You’ve teased a little during this interview, so I’ll ask outright – What’s next for Empire Springs?

BB: I hinted at it earlier, but we are working on some new music that I am really excited about. Hopefully some tours soon too? We are really trying to hit the ground running next year, so hopefully we’ll be busy!

Anything else you want your fans to know?

BB: I would just like to say thank you to anyone who has ever supported us. Whether that’s listening to our music or coming out to a show– It’s honestly still crazy to me that anyone would care about the songs I write, so I truly don’t take it for granted.

And lastly, where can my readers find out more about Empire Springs and get their hands on the music?

BB: We’re on all of the typical social media platforms so feel free to follow us there. As far as music goes, we’re on all the big streaming platforms as well as Bandcamp!

**

As you can see, Empire Springs is gearing up for an exciting 2023! I highly suggest checking them out (if you haven’t already), snagging yourself a copy of The Luminescence, and getting ready for what’s next!

Alter Bridge Walks the Sky in Birmingham, AL.

October 21, 2019 — Leave a comment

On Thursday, October 17th, Alter Bridge brought the Victorious Sky Tour to Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, Alabama. The other two bands on the bill were Dirty Honey and Skillet. As an added bonus, my dad accompanied me.

Dirty Honey opened the show. The Los Angeles-based quartet pumped up an already enthusiastic crowd with their brand of rock, which is heavily influenced by such bands as Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. With their talent and obvious love of what they were doing, Dirty Honey held the fans in thrall and set the atmosphere for a great night of music.

Skillet was next. I had never seen them before and I was suitably impressed. Once on the stage, the members of Skillet were a nonstop ball of energy. Front man John Cooper was quite charismatic, constantly moving and encouraging the audience’s participation. The band did all of their biggest hits: “Hero,” “Monster,” “Awake and Alive,” “Whispers in the Dark,” and “Legendary,” just to name a few. By the time they concluded with “The Resistance,” the crowd was practically vibrating from adrenaline and well and truly primed for Alter Bridge.

When the lights dimmed again, the fans erupted. “One Life,” the opening track from Alter Bridge’s latest album, Walk the Sky, played over the PA and fog filled the air. Renewed screams rose as each member of the band — vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy, guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips — walked into view. The intro music faded out, and Alter Bridge ripped into “Wouldn’t You Rather.”

Unlike the Alter Bridge concerts I’ve attended in the past, this one focused on the band’s heavier side. “Wouldn’t You Rather” was followed by “Isolation” and “Come to Life.” Two more songs from Walk the Sky were included (“Pay No Mind” and “In the Deep”), and there was no acoustic interlude. However, Alter Bridge did play “Blackbird,” always a huge crowd pleaser.

The band’s performance was amazing, as usual. Myles serenaded his fans while Brian and Mark pulled faces at the audience and tossed out several picks. The sing-along portions of “Rise Today” and “Open Your Eyes” were absolutely magical. Perhaps my favorite moment, though, was when Myles joked that he might mess up the beginning of “Cry of Achilles” because his hands were so cold. It was cute.

I have now seen Alter Bridge six times and I have never left a show disappointed. They continue to prove over and over that they are the best rock band in the business.

I will end this review with a personal anecdote. I met Mark for the fifth consecutive show, and he made my night.

Now, let me preface this story. The last time Alter Bridge came to Birmingham, I asked Mark for a pick after we had taken pictures. He told me that he doesn’t keep any on him, apologized, and promised to give me one next time. So, Thursday evening, I tweeted him prior to their set and let him know I was in the front and was hoping for a pick. The official Alter Bridge page retweeted me. However, Mark didn’t see it and he did not throw me one.

When Mark emerged from the bus, he approached me first. I let him read the tweet and joked that he had let me down. He chuckled and said he was sorry; simultaneously, he was checking his pockets. “Oh. Wait,” he said, then he held up a pick. It was the best moment ever…along with Mark letting me put a Snapchat filter on him for a selfie.

This may have claimed the top spot for my favorite interaction with a rock star. Have I mentioned how happy Alter Bridge makes me?

Be sure to check out my photo gallery!!!

Review: blessthefall, Asking Alexandria, and Black Veil Brides @ Iron City

May 1, 2018 — Leave a comment

On April 29th, The Resurrection Tour — featuring Asking Alexandria and Black Veil Brides — made its stop at Iron City in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite the fact that it was a Sunday, the venue was packed to the gills with people ready for a rock show.

The evening was kicked off by blessthefall. Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, this metalcore act is no stranger to the city of Birmingham, having played Zydeco on occasion. The band showed up ready to tear the place down. With a setlist that included songs such as “Cutthroat,” “Hollow Bodies,” and “Sleepless in Phoenix,” blessthefall had the crowd moving, encouraging a circle pit and challenging everyone to be as energetic as the eight-year-old boy having the time of his life at his (presumably) first rock/metal concert.

As blessthefall left the stage, the noise level slacked off before gradually ticking back up. Those at the front, myself included, were shoved into the barrier, the crowd growing restless. The lights dimmed and the music heralding Asking Alexandria’s set began. Little did we know it would be ten more minutes until the band emerged.

The roar that greeted the appearance of front man Danny Worsnop and lead guitarist Ben Bruce can only be described as deafening. They opened with “Into the Fire.” From that instant on, the Asking Alexandria fans demonstrated that they were there in full force: there wasn’t a song played during which Danny didn’t have company on the lyrics. Ben was in constant motion, belting out the words to the audience and tossing his curls around. Personally, I found him to be the most entertaining throughout AA’s set. The highlights included “When the Lights Come On” and “Under Denver,” along with an acoustic portion made up of Danny and Bruce doing “Vultures” and “Someone, Somewhere.”

And then, it was time. The moment we’d all been waiting for was here. Black Veil Brides drummer Christian Coma settled behind his kit and the screaming was enough to hurt your ears. CC was quickly followed by guitarists Jake Pitts and Jeremy “Jinxx” Ferguson, bassist Ashley Purdy, and last but not least, vocalist Andy Biersack. The band ripped into “Faithless” and it was pure magic for the next hour and a half.

It had been seven years since my last Black Veil Brides show (sorry, they don’t exactly frequent Alabama), and I had forgotten that they have that special something when performing live. Each of the members is riveting, be it Andy’s sway with the crowd or Ashley prowling the stage, Christian’s relentless energy or Jake and Jinxx with their dualing guitars. The fans know every word to every song. On multiple occasions, Andy was almost drowned out by those around me.

Unlike Asking Alexandria, who offered up multiple tracks from their latest release, Black Veil Brides played only two songs from their 2018 album Vale. They hit most of the high notes, however — “Wake Up,” “Rebel Love Song,” “The Legacy,” etc.

After “Knives and Pens,” the band filed out of sight, yet no one budged. Shouts and yells filled the air, chants of “BVB!” echoing to the ceiling. The eager didn’t have long to wait. CC returned to his drums and Ashley strode to the riser, asking an ecstatic crowd if they wanted more. Needless to say, the answer was a resounding affirmative.

Closing with the anthemic “Fallen Angels” and “In the End,” Black Veil Brides gave 100% until the final note, their own electricity returned in full measure by an audience that never wanted the night to be over.

I don’t have a rating system for concerts, but I would highly recommend seeing all three of these bands if you get the chance. For tour info, visit their official sites.

—blessthefall

—Asking Alexandria

—Black Veil Brides

Note: Pictures are in a separate post. Click me.

Alter Bridge Returns to the Iron City

December 2, 2017 — Leave a comment

On their final leg of The Last Hero tour, Alter Bridge made a stop in Birmingham, Alabama, for the first time in ten years. They played at Iron City with opening acts Sons of Texas and All That Remains. As an added bonus, I convinced my parents to go. It was their first Alter Bridge show.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I missed all of Sons of Texas and most of All That Remains, though I did catch the latter performing their version of “The Thunder Rolls.”

My parents and I found a spot in the balcony and anxiously awaited the start of Alter Bridge’s set. The venue was packed from wall to wall, and everywhere I looked I saw shirts from past tours, most prominent among them Blackbird and The Last Hero.

Just as the excitement boiled over and fans began chanting the band’s name, the lights dimmed. Drummer Scott Phillips settled behind his kit to a soundtrack of cheers. Vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy, guitarist Mark Tremonti, and bassist Brian Marshall took the stage without further ado, and we were off.

Alter Bridge opened with “Writing on the Wall” and tore through three more songs before Myles addressed the audience. Every word he spoke was met with ecstatic screams. At one point, the front man acknowledged how long it had been since they’d been to Alabama, and he promised they would never overlook us again.

Alter Bridge’s set spanned their entire career, hitting the high points from each album: “Open Your Eyes” from One Day Remains, “Ties That Bind” and the title track of Blackbird, “Isolation” (AB III), “Cry of Achilles” (Fortress), and “Crows on a Wire” off The Last Hero. Much to our joy, they did “Fortress,” which doesn’t often find its way into their shows. The acoustic portion consisted of Myles playing “Watch Over You” alone, then being joined by Mark for the highlight of my night, “In Loving Memory.” The evening came to a close with “Show Me a Leader” and “Rise Today.”

This was my fifth Alter Bridge show, and the quartet again not only met but surpassed my expectations. Musically brilliant and high on crowd participation, they delivered the kind of performance concert-goers dream about. I was on cloud 9. My mom, who has been listening to Alter Bridge since 2004, was over the moon. And my dad… Well, he doesn’t like a lot of recent artists/bands, but he seemed suitably impressed, especially when Mark and Myles had their guitar duel and showcased that they are, in fact, the two most talented men in the business.

For the fourth consecutive review, I am ending with a personal anecdote. My parents and I went to where the buses were parked and were soon graced by the presence of Mark, Myles, and Scott. Perhaps my favorite part of the night was Dad introducing himself to Mark. I added “That’s my dad,” and Mark smiled and said “Hi, Dad!” It was so endearing. The guitarist also found it humorous that my mom made him squat for a picture, attempting to get him closer to my height (I’m barely under 5′ and Mark is 6’1″). He did so without protest, and he is grinning in the photo.

I love this band. They are my happy place.

August 28th Birthdays

August 29, 2016 — Leave a comment

28ano81

Happy birthday to Mary McCartney, Jack Black, Shania Twain, Leann Rimes, and Florence Welch!

And on a personal note, happy birthday to my friends Kristy and Jacob ❤

20su5o4

1rw9b5

Local Music News

June 10, 2016 — Leave a comment

Well…things are not great for me and haven’t been for a while. My two favorite local bands, Lynam and Almost Kings, are going through some changes.

In Lynam’s case, vocalist/guitarist Jacob Bunton has moved to LA and is working with Adler, as well as other artists. Drummer David Lynam and bassist Mark Dzier have formed a cover band called Danger City. I’m not sure what this means for Lynam, though I have my guesses.

Almost Kings, on the other hand, lost bassist Danny Helms months ago. The band announced a search for a new bass player. I know they had a guy filling in, but I don’t know if he was the permanent replacement. A couple of weeks ago, drummer Kevin Compton said he was leaving too. Sooo… 😦 They will continue; I just wonder what’s next. It will definitely be different.