spotlight
MUSIC FORTHE SOULCYNICISM& SINCERITYWITH MICHAEL BLUME
by tim parks When musician Michael Blume releases his EPCynicism & Sincerity, it definitely
confirms that a new voice is emerging on the scene. It’s not in terms of octaves and range however, it is more representative of what the man behind the music has to say with his lyrics. He definitely has a lot of interesting ideas in his wheelhouse, ones that have gotten him rave notices from the likes of Rolling Stone andGQ. There is a world weariness about the 27-year-old, openly gay artist, though
not in a negative “woe is me/I’ve seen it all” type of connotation. It’s really one that makes you wonder if Blume is just an old soul passing through once again. There is a deftness and maturity to what he has to say and in turn, the way that he approaches singing or rapping about it. His songs have been described as a blending between Indie Rock, Pop, Soul
and Hip Hop and they definitely give one’s ears a run for their money, as is actually placing him in a category. Whether it’s his minimalistic approach for “R U Mad” that pokes listeners with the refrain “Are you mad that I’m gay?” to the lush vocals of “Manufactured Love,” Blume definitely has his own sense of style...and now he’s taking that distinctive show on the road. The Rage Monthly spoke with the affable and thoughtful Blume, delving into his
love of music, the state of the union and what’s happening in our nation, how that shapes his music and walking the fine line between cynicism and sincerity.
Like many musicians, Blume fell in love with rhythm when he was young and
gravitated towards specific types that resonated with him and were good for his soul, so to speak, as he explained. “I’ve always loved music and I’ve always made music. When I was a kid, I was in choir and did musical theatre and I was in the band…I always just loved music.” Blume continued, “I discovered soul music as a pre-teen—Stevie Wonder and
Aretha Franklin. I really found that spirit of soul and R&B and gospel music to be the best thing and a really amazing way to connect with other people. My music is so influenced by the Black American musical tradition and I grew up in a diverse town
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RAGE monthly | JUNE 2018
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