Local freakfolk legend Bloom took to the deck on this autumny afternoon. Kath has been singing her fractured brand of folk for years largely under the radar. Her collaborations with partner Loren Connors ( a downtown guitar wizard) had a cult following. Her childlike vocal delivery is somewhere between Tiny Tim and Malvina Reynolds at this point in her career but the poignant simple lyrics carry. Joined on stage by “Chloe” on shakers and simple percussion, and Dave Shapiro on acoustic, Bloom nervously warbled through her set. I’m intrigued by mentees seeking out shelved mentors in this scene. Think Devendra Banhart with Vashti Bunyan, Beth Orton with Terry Callier, heck even Volkswagen with a deceased Nick Drake. Dave is part of the young incestuos New Haven scene chronicled in a recent Maggot Brain article. He also has been tagged in a recent Wire article about production as well as a recent Relix sighting in the “5 artists to watch” section, so it’s no wonder that he has spent some time under Bloom’s wing. His alter-ego as Alexander showcases Fahey-esque primitive stylings, but can also skronk out as a member of Headroom. Watching Bloom reminds me of the late great Daniel Johnston, an outsider, slightly damaged, but engaging in their creative take on the world.
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