Bloom’in Marvelous
Melbourne based indie-pop artist Harper Bloom has shared her latest single ‘Girl Like You’, the second sample for fans of Harper’s forthcoming EP ‘House Of Cards’, which is due for release in October. We caught up with Harper to talk about the new music, BIGSOUND and how the quest for an Adam Newling collab is coming.
Firstly, congratulations on the release of your brand-new track “Girl Like You”. Tell us about your new song, what inspired the writing of this one?
Thank you so much!
Well, we are really getting into Chappel Roans quirky synth pop. We are taking a lot of inspiration from her music. She walks in her own lane and I love that, so I wanted the song to be incredibly quirky and fl amboyant at times. Kind of irreverent as well, in the bridge. A bit of tongue and cheek!
What came first, the lyrics or the music? What did the creative process look like?
Tim Cox (my legend co-writer) started playing this synth melody and then I sang the topline for the lyrics and then we started piecing it all together and wrote a story about a dangerous woman that kind of lights a little fire in you, even though you know you should stay away!
“All the songs on it celebrate being out and proud. It’s quirky and colourful. And very queer.”
“Girl Like You” has been lifted from your forthcoming EP House Of Cards, what can you tell us about the new body of work? What can listeners expect?
Yes! ‘House of Cards’ is this explosive indie-synth pop EP. All the songs on it celebrate being out and proud. It’s quirky and colourful. And very queer.
Is the new EP a continuation of your 2024 EP ‘Flutterby’ or an evolution?
I think ‘Flutterby’ was the start of a new musical direction for me. Moving away from being a solo singer-songwriter to an indie-pop artist. It’s moved right away from acoustic guitars to a more synth party pop sound.
“I think it’s fundamental that you collaborate with people who know your sound and have an idea of who you are and what you are trying to say.”
For House Of Cards you worked with Tim Cox, Edward Quinn and Liam Quinn, how important is it to work with the right team when creating original material that is often personal?
I loved working with all of these amazing creatives. I think it's fundamental that you collaborate with people who know your sound and have an idea of who you are and what you are trying to say. With Tim this comes really naturally now. Ed makes amazing indie hits so working with him was amazing. He’s worked with a lot of talented indie-pop acts so he really nails that sound.
Did you face any challenges or hurdles when recording the EP or was it a smooth process? Any funny stories or standout moments from that creative period?
‘Girl Like You’, was so hard to get the chorus lyrics right! We had such terrible ideas at the start, like scrambled eggs and bacon in the chorus. So bad! But we ended up getting there with a bit of help from my partner's parents who said the line “Can I take you with me” and it all just flowed out from there !
Are there plans to tour once the EP is released?
Hoping for a tour, but that might be next year instead! Definitely a big launch show in Naarm!
“It was like an Aus music industry xmas with so many really great informative and fun events.”
You got to do several performances at the 2025 BIGSOUND event. What was that experience like? How important are events like BIGSOUND for not only established artists but also for those trying to break into the industry?
Bigsound was so fun! It was my first time performing there and I got to showcase twice so that was great! The whole of the aus music industry was there. It was like an Aus music industry xmas with so many really great informative and fun events. It was so worthwhile, a lot of meetings and great connections established. I think it's a really important festival for emerging artists to be seen and publicised.
Last time we spoke, you said your ideal collaboration would be with Adam Newling, are we any closer to getting that collab?
Haha! I actually saw him at Bigsound and said hello - I don’t think he had any idea who I was, but I would still love to get in a room with him and co-write!
“My fan girl moment was for Barkaa for sure!”
Earlier this year you got to play at Beyond The Valley, what was the festival experience like for an artist? Did you have any fangirl moments backstage?
That was an amazing bucket list tick off. I’ve always wanted to play a big festival like that, so glad to be on the line-up. My fan girl moment was for Barkaa for sure!
Would you like to do more festival appearances? Which ones are on your bucket list to perform at?
Of course I would absolutely love to. Splendour in The Grass, Spilt Milk - to name a couple.
When we caught up in 2022 you gave a shout out to David Quested, so who in your crew or team this time deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Tim Cox is my co-writer and mastermind behind all of my new music. He is a musical wizard and he understands my crazy mind and ideas, so big love and shout-out to him!
Do you have a message for the Harper Bloom fans and supporters?
Thank you for all of the love and support throughout the years. Let's keep things rolling!!!!!
Interview by Michelle Symes
September 2025
