Bleu Edmondson ~ A bad, bad, man.

To be a Bleu Edmondson fan is to be rewarded in many ways.  Stellar shows whenever you see him live… an ever evolving musical sound when listened to on record…and a candid, no BS personality to be around when in person.  Any followers of this website know we are biased when it comes to Bleu’s music, but when something is that good, you just keep wanting more!  And he never disappoints.

“I think I want to be the Little Weezy of Texas Country, just start dropping mix-tapes every couple of months”.  Yep, that got said.  You never quite know what’s going to get said when interviewing Bleu (which we recently had the chance to do at Blue Moose Lodge—glad to see a place like that get itself on the map), but you know it’s going be from the heart, and it’s going to be sincere.

So not to take the last quote out of context (although we love the idea!), but fans don’t always understand what it takes for bands to take the time out to ‘live through’ what makes their music, find time to express it in word, and finally…get it out to the masses.  And then to set yourself up to have your life diagnosed under a microscope based on the words that come out of your mouth, that’s a tough gig.  No one is tougher on themselves than Bleu.  “I just recently was listening to my first couple of albums and it made me cringe.  But those records are a reflection on what is going on with a 21 or 22 year old, which I was at the time.”  By those he of course is referring to his first two studio efforts, Southland, and The Band Plays On.  Though he may be judgmental and hyper critical, his fans loved the albums and they helped put Mr. Edmondson on the forefront of the Texas Country boom that encompassed the late 90’s/early 2000’s.  Years of hard work and a relentless tour schedule kept his fans around for the next chapter.

By the time it came around to recording his next album, 2007’s groundbreaking Lost Boy, Bleu had “grown up a lot” and consequently “been kicked around a lot too” and finally felt he had the right material to get out to his fans.  Taking “a heavy left turn” from traditional country music, Bleu dropped the hammer on some rock and roll and unleashed some of his badass storytelling put to beat of his career.  Heavy hitting songs with softer moments of self-reflection blended together beautifully to show the world the true inner workings of a confused late 20’s artist just trying to find his way.  “I finally felt like I knew what I was doing and actually had something to say that someone might care about.”  He certainly did.  Eleven masterfully crafted songs about life, love, and the pursuit there-of.  The album even secured Bleu his first music video on CMT for “Finger on the Trigger”.  We asked him what his thoughts were on his ravenous fans going unglued during his live performance of that song, given its perception as a darker song.  “To me it’s about people celebrating where they’re not.  They’re out with friends, drinking a beer, having a good time and not sitting in a car somewhere alone by themselves.”  It is his altered way of surveying the landscape around him and attention to detail that has led to his incredible songwriting abilities.

Not too long after the success of Lost Boy, Bleu hit the studios again trying to channel the same intensity.  What followed was another barn storming declaration of loves lost and won compactly spaced through 10 songs to make up The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be.  Producing five hit singles, the album is another bold step out further towards left field of traditional country sound, but a step well worth the risk.  “I just try to tell stories.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t”.  Modest as he may be, what did work was another glance into the fragile mind of a man really coming into his own.  “I’m still learning how to write a fast passed rocker song that is about positivity.  I don’t really come from a place where that’s everyday life.”  When asked what his favorite song off the album is, “Riot Night, for sure.  The piano in it is just the heart and soul of the song and I love the way it all came together.  It’s a love song, man.”  From the opening rocker “Blood Red Lincoln” to the introspective closer, “I Got My Yesterdays”, the album is quick to the punch and high on emotions and intensity.

So where does that leave Bleu Edmondson today?  He just recently collaborated with Kylee Sackley, a female Australian songwriter, to write “I Can’t Run” which has already become a crowd favorite.  “I feel vulnerable sitting down with anyone and writing, but especially my first time to write with someone and my first time writing with a woman.  She was/is so awesome and I hope to write with her again.”   Does he think he’ll tackle more themes like the perceived notion of Religion on Lost Boy?  “That certainly wasn’t on purpose, it just happened organically.  I wrote the album in different spurts and I guess subconsciously it worked its way in.  It just went with what I was thinking or what the character was thinking or should be doing.”  “As far as the future goes, I’m hoping to have new music out by the end of the year, whether it be a full album (hopefully) or who knows.  Maybe in this iTUNES world we live in it is better to just release songs that way or an EP twice a year.  I’m looking to revive a couple of songs as well that only old school fans will know. So just keep your ears open, you never know” 

Bleu Edmondson is a killer performer, songwriter, and singer who knows how to balance his banter with the music and give the crowd just what they want.  He is his own biggest critic, which is a shame, because the joy he brings to his fans is plentiful and abundant.  Many of the fans he has have been following him for years and it’s because of him that they keep coming back to show their support.  He is steering a course that not many other artists are willing to sail these days, and that is to carve his own niche in an otherwise branded market.  It takes some true courage, character, and most of all talent to do so…and Bleu has all three with some to spare.  We personally can’t wait to see what the future brings and what the next step in the evolution will be. 

SETLIST

Bleu Edmondson ~ Live @ Blue Moose Lodge

 Last Last Time

American Saint

I Can't Run

Good Thing

Resurrection

Not Scared To Be Alone

And The Band Played On

The Echo

Dallas

$50 and a Flask of Crown

Traveling Man

Tougher Than The Rest - (Springsteen)

Laughing Right Out Loud

Just A Little Bit Crazy

Curtis Lowe - (Skynard)

Finger On The Trigger

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