Meet Andrew Blooms | Singer-Songwriter, Artist, Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Blooms and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I believe that my music plays a humble role in the conversation surrounding the intersection of faith, spirituality and the fragile human experience. I grew up in a rigorous Christianity, and found later in the life that my religion failed to address the real pains of life. Christianity was simply a set of rules that I was told to follow, but when life became real, it left me with no real answers. I believe that I have had a true encounter with who I believe to be God, and have found my highest fulfillment in my relationship with God and carrying out His chief commandment to this world – to love. I believe that my music opens up a more honest conversations for people of faith. It addresses the dark underside of our human experience that Christian art, in its current state, seems to ignore. To put it simply, I think my music and my writing helps people feel less alone and less crazy. It gives us permission to be human, in all our fractured pieces, and opens up a conversation for God and grace to work within those realities. American Christianity, in its religious confusion, sends two messages at the same time: “Come as you are” and “only come if you have it together.” I long to see a true Christianity expressed, a Christ that is big enough and loving enough to handle any of our failures and shortcomings. This is the experience I have had of the true Christ, and my definition, true love. I want my work to frame this reality and to serve as a guide for people who understand the light and darkness that exists simultaneously within our world, and I hope to provide words and sounds that help people take the next step in the mysterious yet beautiful journey we call faith.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think I’m more willing to say the honest things. The power in my art comes not from the technical excellence or the talent, but more the bravery and courage within its message. I think people connect with what I do because it comes from sharing the dark and painful details of my own life. It’s my true life, and it’s vulnerable. The greatest challenge of my artistic path has been learning how to separate myself from what I do. Music, for a long time, was my way of gaining the attention and validation I desperately craved from the world. It gave me an identity and an appeal that was like a drug to me. It made me feel powerful and worthy of love. It has been a long challenge and battle to come to a place where my music is something I truly love and enjoy, separate from my ego. Who I am as a person is so much more than my ability to sing, perform, or make beautiful sounds. It’s taken me a long time to see that no experience in music or performing could give me the validation that I wanted. That comes from another place. What I’m leaning into right now in life, and what I would encourage the world to think about is this: It is critical that you find out who you are, apart from what anyone else thinks or says. From this place flows your life. Do the work of finding out who you are, and the impact and importance of your life will fall into place.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Gilly Brew Bar! Athens, GA

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are too many to name. Thank you to everyone who believed in me before I was ready. I have had countless people give me opportunities that I do not deserve. I am humbled by the love and support of my friends who see something in me that I cannot see myself. I’m learning to believe you.

Website: www.andrewbloomsmusic.com

Instagram: @andrew.blooms

Image Credits
@belystco