Mali Velasquez & Bloomsday (9.25.24)
poster by Emma Chin-Hong
Mali Velasquez
Nashville-based artist Mali Velasquez writes about grief, femininity, and the humiliating processes of coming of age –– and into oneself –– accompanied by lush vocals and raw, rousing indie-rock instrumentation. On her 2023 record I’m Green, she blends elements of folk-country, electronic-tinged pop, and grunge rock. Her stylistic range as a musician is paralleled by her unique vulnerability in her lyricism: Velasquez’s poetic, thoughtfully-worded songs are witty, yearning, heartbreaking, and painfully relatable, all at once.
Growing up in Texas, Velasquez’s relationship with music began in church and with her family, where she experimented with her voice and her dad’s guitar. The artist’s songwriting skills developed in her teens, as she found validation through musical expression on a more personal level. Since then, Velasquez’s vocals have grown from a fragile whisper to a commanding presence. Now, Velasquez is defining the Nashville indie-folk scene. Having just released her debut album and an Audiotree Live Session, and now embarking on a tour with Bloomsday, the folk singer-songwriter can only be described as ‘up and coming.’ Deservedly so, I’d say. A favorite of mine is “Tore,” wherein her lyrics are spectacularly unbelievable. The track successfully paints a narrative while pushing tight, complimentary folk instrumentals forward. And, I mean, there is no song quite like “Clovers.” Nearly impossible to describe, the journey this song will take you on is both gut-wrenching and rewarding. Her rolling drums, impeccably executed sonic pauses, and strong vocals make this a standout track. I recommend listening to the Audiotree Live version, to get a sense of how emotions overcome Velasquez during performance.
While she’s influenced by icons like Neil Young and Waylon Jennings, and comparable to modern indie artists such as Alex G, Sadurn, and Katy Kirby, Velasquez crafts a voice all her own. We are beyond excited to welcome the raw talent and amazing lyrical powerhouse that is Mali Velasquez to the Horn Gallery on September 25th, 2024.
Bloomsday
The other artist on this Horn Gallery double-bill is Bloomsday, aka Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Iris James Garrison (they/them). Their latest release Heart of the Artichoke was created in collaboration with Babehoven and Henry Stoehr of Slow Pulp. This album is their second full-length record, following 2022 debut Place to Land. Sharing sonic similarities with the likes of Lomelda, Allegra Krieger, and Frankie Cosmos, Bloomsday crafts tender, personal soft folk-rock songs with a touch of twang. Writing about relationships (of all kinds), identity, memory, and periods of transition, Bloomsday’s lyrics feel specific to the songwriter’s life experiences, yet accessible and relatable to anyone trying to figure it all out. In a Bayonet Records profile, Garrison said of their songwriting process, “The ghosts of the past still come up and haunt me… but I sit in what I have and see it. All of these songs are about loved ones, about personal struggles with getting out of my head and being present.” The article goes on to say, “Heart of the Artichoke was written from a healed, matured place – written in a moment of safety from chaos. It’s a prayer for the present, an appreciation of tenderness and what happens once we give ourselves the space to really see, and really feel.”
Favorites include “Bumper Sticker” and “Virtual Hug” from Heart of the Artichoke and “Phase” and “Voicemail” from Place to Land. In the latter, Garrison’s voice softly repeating “I’ll know / it’s meant to be” perfectly captures the strange feelings associated with seeing friendships grow and change over time. Equal parts sonically mellow and lyrically poignant, their music feels like an outstretched hand to a world of young people grappling with the uncertainties of growing up. On “Standby,” Garrison sings: “I’m losing touch / I’m losing time / I’m trying to erase,” their voice full of feeling and their words painfully, emotionally resonant. Bloomsday’s accompaniment of slowly-building drums, catchy riffs and folk-inspired guitar solos, and ethereal-sounding backing vocals round out their dreamy sound, perfect for pensive autumn days. We’re so excited to have Bloomsday open for Mali Velasquez, this Wednesday (September 25th, 2025) at the Horn.
by Em Townsend & Liv Stripling