Interview: How Heart Shaped Rock is Helping Put the Original Portland Back on the Map
A brief chat with a deep dive into Portlands History with Heart Shaped Rock’s front woman, Sheridan Bloom
As I was wrapping up my workday and preparing to head over to the much talked about show at Portland House of Music, I was exchanging messages with Sheridan from Heart Shaped Rock. In a few hours she and her bandmates were going to be taking to the stage. After being connected by a local friend, I met up with Sheridan for breakfast to get to know each other and find out more about the Portland music scene. Her band, Heart Shaped Rock, is one we’ve seen many times playing around town. However, we had no idea just how involved Sheridan was with music in this city. She has years of experiences and stories that she loves to share. It was only appropriate to get some of them in writing and shared with the world. The journey of the Portland music scene has been a beautiful, exciting, and precarious one.
For people who may not know, tell us a little about you. What was the scene like when you were growing up?
Sheridan Bloom: The scene was strange musically in the beginning. I was into punk rock then, so unless it was a big band like The Clash or Iggy Pop at the Expo, most punk shows were at people houses, The Montana, The Cybernackle (Below the Danforth St practice spaces) or The State Street Church. Most big clubs were kept for cover bands or DJs. Almost a decade later awesome clubs were everywhere for original music. Leos, The Bitter End, The Asylum and Stone Coast were some of my favorites. Prime Artist Rehearsal Spaces opened on Sewell St (now Thompsons Point). I practiced and worked there with my guitar player. It was there that bands and people truly got to know each other. Everyone from Twisted Roots, Pigboat, Ishtar, Lowlife, Colepitz, Sever, Rustic Overtones, Rare Form, and my band at the time Tribal Iris. Even some band named Moe that everyone was crazy about. You had no choice but to meet everyone. Great friendships were formed over BBQs and Holiday parties. That place really brought the scene together!
Sheridan mentioned that the crowds at her favorite venues were filled with all ages of fans — some who traveled from as far as Bangor. Many of those fans were still in the scene today and would be attending her show that evening. Back then shows were mostly advertised by good ol’ flyering or The Sweet Potato later turned Casco Bay Weekly. Nothing compared to the variety of ways you can find out about shows today.
How did you get into music? How did you get into rock?
Sheridan Bloom: My mother made me a rock musician through many years of concerts and music. I sang in every chorus all through school but I knew once I formed a rock band then she would really dig it! This woman had me record all of Live Aid on a VCR and wanted no commercials. I look back at it now as boot camp. There were no remote controls. I had to watch all of it right next to the TV and pause button. I learned A LOT about music that day.
Although Sheridan sites her mother for her becoming the rock musician she is today, she said it wasn’t intentional. She was open and honest about her mother dealing with a mental disorder that prevented her from having much time or energy for Sheridan. Her brother was later diagnosed with the same disorder, Bipolar Disorder. Music helped Sheridan cope with a mentally and emotionally unstable home life. She was apprehensive about sharing those details of her youth but ultimately remembered that sharing this could only help and heal someone else. The Portland music scene and surely many other scenes have witnessed too many beautiful people lose their battles with mental illness. As heartbreaking as the loss may be, Sheridan is determined that is won’t stop her from producing, performing, and supporting great music.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Sheridan Bloom: My first record was Goats Head Soup from my mother. I remember playing “Winter” on my Radio Shack Lady Bug Turntable and just crying and crying, I guess I should have known then the healing power of music. My Inspiration for singing will always be Freddie Mercury. His genre-skipping ways have always been an inspiration and challenge to me. That is why I refuse to do a cd in one style for a targeted genre. If he never had to I don’t want to.
This may be a tough question, but do you have a favorite Queen or Freddie Mercury song or record?
Sheridan Bloom: I spent a full year listening to both A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races. I would practice my chops on the “March of the Black Queen” and know how to sing in Japanese thanks to, “Teo Torriatte”.
What’s something about yourself that you’re most proud of?
Sheridan Bloom: The one thing I am most proud of is to finally feel comfortable in my own skin. It was not easy around here, being female singing the kind of music I do. I am proud that I have evolved enough mentally to realize not everyone will like what I do. But some will. It is not for me to judge. As Salvador Dali once said, “A true Artist is not one who is inspired, it is one who inspires others.” I traveled all the way to Florida to his Museum because of that quote. I have been inspired by many Artists and hope to do the same for others. Life is Brief, Art is Immortal
Do you ever meet other women or young artists who are inspired by you?
Sheridan Bloom: I meet people now through my work mostly. I inspire people to sing or paint. Whatever it is that was their passion that they lost or have not yet developed. I know how healing and wonderful the Arts are and I push it on people like a big pharmaceutical company would push Paxil.
Tell us about Heart Shaped Rock: How and when did you all come together to form this band?
Sheridan Bloom: I formed Heart Shaped Rock when my daughter turned 5. I didn’t think Mamas were supposed to rock and roll. After a near nervous breakdown, I started working with my dear friend Bacall. She heard some of my old music and was blown away. She told me I needed to start again. So after writing my first song at the dish bin at work, “Lucky 13,” I made her play with me and we started out on the adventure. I had always wanted a band like Queen with solid members but it doesn’t work out that way all the time. You let people who want to leave for good or bad reasons go and write music with the ones who show up, all in with heart. What I have found in the musicians of Heart Shaped Rock — currently Dave, Bret, Eric, and Pete — is what I always wanted. Hard working nice family people with no drugs or attitude. Just straight up FUN.
What is something unique or special that Heart Shaped Rock is bringing to the Portland music scene?
Sheridan Bloom: Heart Shaped Rock brings Heart to Maine’s Music scene by being local and caring about other people. I have networked for others most of my career. Something unique about me is that I have been invited to play every show of my career in both bands. Except for the show on 11/11/11. Thank you Ken Bell, owner of The Big Easy, and now P.H.O.M.
Sheridan mentioned a few stories about helping people in the community. Everything from helping load gear in and out, to donating to people in need in the community and nationwide in the event of natural disaster. Even just splitting money fairly can make a difference to people in the community. Sheridan for years has and continues to volunteer with The Center of Grieving Children. All said and done, she and the band help others daily by not being toxic and being the best people they can be.
How would you define the music scene in Portland today?
Sheridan Bloom: I would describe it as scattered. The only people who get in the papers are the ones who follow through with press releases. Social Media is a help but it can harm you if you don’t keep it up to date. To be honest I think your company is the only one I know of bringing Maine into the future of Music. The way you expose people to many bands gives bands that may never be heard legs. I hope your company grows and in turn brings more growth to Maines music! Keeping the Arts alive is everyone’s job!
Sheridan and Heart Shaped Rock put on a high energy, emotional performance for the diverse and lively crowd of Portland House of Music. I could see Sheridan’s influences in the way she sang, how she spoke to the group, and how she had dressed while still being nothing short of Sheridan incarnate. I could hear Portland’s vibrant and artistic history in every meaty metallic drenched riff from Heart Shaped Rock. I felt the passion and perseverance from everyone who performed that night. Put on some sunblock, because the future is looking bright for HSR and this big, little city.
Heart Shaped Rock are currently in the studio working on new material. In the meantime, listen to their latest release, While You Were Waiting.
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