.jpg)
The Workshop at WP
An online publication made for creatives, by creatives.
The on-going development of the music scene in Washington state is definitely a noteworthy one. Several iconic acts like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Odesza and Macklemore, all reside in different parts of Seattle and beyond. An often overlooked city with an incredible music scene is Bellingham, Washington, a college town nestled in between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. One truly impressive band within the town of Bellingham is Checker Bloom, a four-piece rock band with talent and sound that exceeds their humble foundation.
​
Checker Bloom consists of Bryan Hatchell on guitar and lead vocals, Zach Miller on guitar, keys, and backing vocals, Martin Pittis on bass and backing vocals, and drummer Jonny Roberts. Founded in 2021, Checker Bloom started when Bryan posted a Craigslist ad looking for bandmates and quickly found Jonny, who introduced him to Martin. The trio were later joined by Zach in 2023. The name Checker Bloom comes from a desert flower located in the High Sierra that can survive where no other plants can.
Since their founding in 2021, Checker Bloom released a self-titled EP in 2023 and their debut album, Ballads of Mirror Road, which came out on July 5th this year. When it comes to defining a genre, Checker Bloom considers themselves Cinematic Western Rock. This sound is defined by artists like Arctic Monkeys, Dire Straits, and Geese, whose influences are prevalent throughout their music. In their song “Signs of Life,” you can hear a clear parallel in the guitar licks to those of Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. Top singles from their debut album include “Forbidden Love” and “Wastelander.”
Self-expression through music often goes deeper than just catchy chords and poignant lyrics, but down to the causes of the inspiration themselves. For Checker Bloom, some of the biggest motivators behind their music is environmentalism and community. As heard throughout their album, the band contemplates the continual impact big corporations have on the environment in songs like “Tally Ho.” A sense of community is also very relevant, especially since the band is from the tight-knit music community in Bellingham. Checker Bloom has worked with other local acts like Wine Lips, Fruit Juice, Petite Amie, and Serpent Foot.
When asked about pre-show rituals, each member takes into account their own goals for the show, do vocal warmups, and may fit in a quick jam session. The most important ritual before they go on is tequila shot and a pickleback chaser, which is simply pickle juice. They recently went on tour around the Pacific Northwest, stopping at local venues in Vancouver B.C., Seattle, and Portland, among others. Their dream venues and shows include The Gorge, Neumos, Madame Lous, TuneUp and Bumbershoot.
Upcoming shows for Checker Bloom include Belltown Yacht Club on September 20th, Conway Muse on September 27th, Skagit Bigfoot Festival on September 28th, and Bellingham Exit Festival on October 10th. You can check them out on all streaming platforms and on social media at @checkerbloommusic.