Yet to Bloom are:
Claire Hudson (vocals/guitar)
Ray Lee (guitar)
Billie Bentil (bass)
Justin Liu (drums)
Official bio:
Yet To Bloom is a pop-punk/pop-rock band from Boston, MA. Although born and raised in different parts of Hong Kong and the United States, the 4-piece united via an Instagram poll while studying at Berklee College of Music. Fueled by twinkly leads, catchy hooks, and self-aware lyrics, Yet To Bloom authentically narrates their collective coming-of-age experience. With diversity at the forefront, the band leverages their individual influences and creates a combination that is undeniable.
I have a soft spot for Boston, MA. That part of New England gave us one of the most important music scenes in the US: Helium (and by association also POLVO), The Lemonheads, Juliana Hatfield, The Breeders, Throwing Muses, Belly, Pixies, The Folk Implosion, Dinosaur Jr., Mighty Mighty Bosstones – I could go on all night. It seems that we will have to add Yet To Bloom to the list quite soon, because there is something about this four piece that demands attention from any serious music journalist.
There`s a feeling I sometimes get but can’t really describe it. You hear a song for few seconds and you just know that the artist is somehow important. I remember the first time “Shine” by Collective Soul came on the radio. I was putting laundry out and I could not even hear the song properly but acting on an impulse, I ran back inside to get the band`s name. Thirty years and eleven records later Collective Soul are still going and I am still a loyal fan.
Similarly, two days ago a person posted on Twitter about their band`s first release and I suddenly had a full-scale red alert going through my head. By now I know to trust my instincts and asked for an EPK and a link to the song. That’s how a copy of “People Pleaser” ended in my inbox and Yet To Bloom appeared on my radar.
Maybe my future-rock-stars detector is somehow linked to Berklee College of Music? Ed Roland – main songwriter for Collective Soul calls Berklee his alma mater. Members of Yet To Bloom must be starting their second year there. The school is the largest independent music college in the world and its alumni collectively won over 300 Grammy Awards. Many would consider it a success just to be included among the students of such a prestigious institution. A diploma from Berklee surely opens a lot of doors. If there is one thing, I have learned by helping up and coming artists in the last six years alone is that not many university bands remain together. Most people use their experience in myriads of ways, not always by recording and touring. Some go into music production, song writing, they manage other acts or set up their own studios. And all of it is a valid and wonderful way of putting music knowledge to use.
But what if your university band is really, really good? And from the debut single at that? It may be both a blessing and a curse for the project. This is where Yet To Bloom place themselves. They are – as their name aptly tells you – at the very beginning of the road. They were formed by an Instagram poll. They may not be reinventing a wheel with their radio friendly, pop punk tunes but their maturity, craftsmanship and energy make them good enough to be picked by a major label. They seem to take early Paramore inspirations and mix it with some (quite surprising) nods to rock older bands like The Sundays and Belly. They may be a distance away from fully developing their own sound but they pretty much know where they want to be in a few years’ time. But that’s just one side of the coin. There is another. They tick all the boxes. The band is ideally inclusive. Gone are the days when John Faye of The Caulfields was the only Asian American person being played on college radio stations and Meshell Ndegeocello one of very few black women in rock music in general. If they told you that the 1990s were inclusive for people of colour doing music, they lied. I lived through it and it was at times awful. I`m gonna say this with utmost pleasure. Nowadays the best guitar music – commercial and heavy – comes from bands like Meet Me At The Altar, The Linda Lindas, Nova Twins, Big Joanie all the way down to Filth is Eternal, BLKVAPOR and Cinnamon Babe. And if you haven’t noticed that then you better wake up and catch up because rock music is no longer the domain of white lads in bands that look like Alex Turner`s second cousin. Labels know that and this is what they will sign.
You may say Yet To Bloom find themselves in the right time and in the right place. They are good enough to be signed and they represent a new, diverse page in rock history. And they are young enough to have time to figure out their sound. Give them a few years and good management and you will watch them play stadiums, not your local uni bar.
My only worry is if they want to be in the right place at the right time. It`s quite a burden for musicians. I have seen bands described as new Rolling Stones thrown in the towel and go to work as train drivers. I`ve seen amazing vocalists become dieticians and work in a doctor`s surgery. Having talent and possibilities doesn’t always equal that the people in the band will want to play music. What if Yet To Bloom don’t want to continue down this path when they are about to graduate? What if they prefer to direct movies or write books or run their own businesses?
Is it fair for any reviewer or even an A&R to say: hey kids don’t quit. You are gonna go far, just stick with it. You know, you remind me of a band I came across in 1994 – they had this funky video called “Sunday Morning” in which they were cooking pasta. I had a feeling about them too and thought they would be popular. They were called No Doubt. You may have heard of them.
I don’t know if anyone at Berklee is going to read the whinings of some A&R in the old country, but if you do. Please give Yet To Bloom all the support and all the assistance you can. You have found yourself a gem in this band. I mean, a few more Grammy Awards to the collection won’t hurt, right?
“People Pleaser” was released on 16th of September 2022 and was produced by Brett Romnes (Boston Manor, The Front Bottoms).
You can follow the Yet To Bloom on socials:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ytbband
https://www.instagram.com/ytbband/
https://twitter.com/ytb_band
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085438608039
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCorcOu-KdKjTw_ceL0S5Vyw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/30XWpHxpWYc3gmP40m7r56?si=-MICcFbaSpm8fTVfstkpuQ&nd=1
Contact: ytbmacontact@gmail.com
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 
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