Introducing Erin Bloomer

Words Aimee Phillips
Photography Kai Giraulo
Styling Kay Altamira
1st Fashion Assistant Melissa Schwarz
2nd Fashion Assistant Honor Gartland
HMUA Emily Wood @ Creatives Agency
Production Studio Notion

September 1, 2020September 25, 2020

With over 100k Instagram followers and only a handful of songs under her belt, Erin Bloomer is a fresh face that we're sure you'll be seeing a lot more of soon enough.

Pinning herself as a “mix of pop and a lil’ bit of RnB”, East Sussex’s Erin Bloomer has been carving a name for herself thanks to her crystal clear vocals, relatable lyrics and earworm melodies.

Launching her musical career in 2017, Erin’s debut song “Right Love, Wrong Time” expertly showcased her vocal range. On the stunning ballad, she deftly moves between soft, soothing tones, long, powerful notes and catchy sing-a-longs. It’s no wonder that the track has almost 2 million streams on Spotify alone. Two years later, Erin was back with the bubbly “Lately” and sassy post-breakup number “She’ll Be Gone”.

Erin’s recent release, a delicate acoustic rendition of this year’s song, “Second Best”, was originally written for one of Erin’s close friends who was feeling like she came second best to everything in a relationship. It’s not the first time that Erin has penned a tune to help a pal move through tough times – both of her songs last year were created to empower and reassure friends that had been through difficulties. This is very much the ethos of Erin Bloomer, who is making it her mission to help others look for the silver linings in life and remind them that they’re not alone.

Pulling from a range of iconic influences – namely Lady Gaga and Queen – Erin Bloomer has been musical from a young age, singing, playing piano and guitar as a child. It was a cover posted on social media that acted as a launchpad. Now, Erin has appeared on BBC Introducing and is pinned for big things as she releases more music over the coming months. With her sights set on Glastonbury, you better watch this space.

We spoke to Erin about her musical journey, creative process, upcoming music and much more. Dive in!

Cropped jacket Umbro
Denim Karl Kani
Sleeves Burberry
Ring Mi Manera Jewellery
Trainers Knitss

So, what is the Erin Bloomer story?

I grew up in East Sussex, always singing, and playing the piano and guitar. When I was 12, I posted some singing videos on Instagram and didn’t tell anyone until my account blew up overnight! Since then I’ve started making music, released an EP, and recently, after finishing school because my exams got cancelled, am featuring on SAD by Rasster and Imanbek, which I keep hearing all over TikTok and on Radio 1!

What’s your first memory of being able to sing?

Singing was a part of my life from literally my earliest memories cos my dad liked to play his music really loud at home and in the car, so I sang along to some OG lyrics from Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd when I was really little. Also, my mum says I used to narrate my whole day as a song, instead of talking. I’m not sure about that, but I can remember being in the car, it was raining outside and I’d just been given a little iPod mini and I had Rihanna on the playlist… I really thought I’d arrived at the age of about six.

How would you describe your sound?

I’d say it’s a mix of pop and a lil’ bit of RnB… but listen and make your own mind up!

Top Karl Kani
Earrings Saad Collection

Top Karl Kani
Trousers Paula Knorr
Earrings Saad Collection
Trainers Naked Wolfe
Cuffs Alexandra Hakim

You have written a number of songs to help your friends move through difficult emotions or situations. Beyond your personal relationships, do you always set out to reassure others when creating music?

Everything I write about is real-life — most of us know what it feels like to think you’re alone and the only person experiencing something, so I like to reassure people that they are in fact not alone and there is always a silver lining, even if you have to really look for it! I want people to feel empowered and strong when they hear my songs so I think that is definitely a big part of why I make music. I recently wrote a song that I’d had the melody in my head for since I was a kid, I finally found the right home for it after staying up all night with some friends, having one of those deep chats about everything whilst watching the sunrise. The song is called Wasted and it’s probably gonna be on my new EP.

What does your creative process look like?

I voice-note ideas all the time and save tracks that I like the intros to and I especially love listening to new artists that I don’t know. Sometimes I write alone, but I also like to collab with other people, so we can bounce ideas around and I’m always learning, plus it’s kinda fun working with different people. But I especially enjoy doing studio sessions, so then I’ll listen to a few reference tracks on my way there to get me into the right headspace, I always arrive with a storyboard or a certain idea that I want to write about that day, to make sure that I get my message across.

Bodysuit Umbro
Trousers Angel Chen
Earrings Paul Knorr
Windbreaker Parajumpers
Boots 4CCCCEES

Do you have a favourite lyric you’ve written? What is it?

It’s so hard to choose! I like “Not here for it, baby” from “Lately”, a track on my EP, cos it gives that ‘I don’t give a fuck’ vibe… but my true fave is from an unreleased song, so watch this space.

Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations? Have they changed over the years?

A whole bunch of people have inspired me, definitely Lady Gaga and Queen because I grew up listening to them, thanks to my dad and I just think that they always stayed true to themselves and weren’t afraid to push the norm. Nowadays I like listening to Juice World, Pink Sweat$, Blackbear, Russ and Post Malone of course.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

If it’s meant to be, it will be!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Performing at Glastonbury, writing and recording albums, having worked with some of my favourite artists, collaborating with my favourite fashion brands!

You’ve got a new song out in September. What can we expect?

Expect the unexpected!! I’ve been experimenting a bit with new stuff and writing an EP during lockdown. I’ve got a few songs to choose from, some of them are really heartfelt, I mean really, really heartfelt. I think a couple of the tracks might present a surprise this time around…