What happens when one very determined band Blossoms
Success for Glasgow-bound band sees them mixing with their idols
saw their debut album reach the top of the charts last month, something that’s a bit of a rarity for the determinedly old-school guitar pop the band peddle.
They stop off at the O2 ABC in Glasgow on Saturday for a show that’s been sold out for months, and it’s unlikely to be the biggest venue the group find themselves headlining over the next couple of years, thanks to a number of catchy, melodic singles they’ve released.
December dates include two nights at Manchester’s Albert Hall and a Shepherd’s Bush Empire showcase in London.
Ogden doesn’t have a rock’n’roll swagger as such, but he’s clearly got the confidence that the quintet’s songs are the sort of tunes that should be played in larger venues.
“Even in the early days, when we’d get the odd support slot and have a big stage, we’d thrive off that, and would strut around a bit more,” he says.
“We always felt our songs could fill those size of venues, so we’re where we want to be now.
“It’s also easier now because you know people will be at these gigs.
“When we started you’re worried about whether anyone will turn up and we’d be playing to 10 people, but now the gigs are sold out and you can go on with an added confidence.”
There’s an appreciation of the band’s success, too.
The band members were all in other, unsuccessful bands before finding themselves in Blossoms, holding down other jobs – some of the group worked in a hotel, while bassist Charlie Salt spent time on a building site with his father.
Finding themselves playing soldout tours and with a chart-topping album is, therefore, something they aren’t keen to let slip away.
“Me and Joe (Donovan, their drummer) met in year eight at school and sometimes we just look at each other and go ‘what has been going on in our lives’ because it just seems mad,” says Ogden.
“But the steps have come bit by bit. It’s not like The X Factor where you wake up the next day and everyone knows who you are. We knew what had gone wrong with other bands so with Blossoms we had a head start.
“If you’re willing to work at it then that can take you a long way. I think there’s a lot of people who maybe expect it on a plate these days, but we’ve all had other jobs as well so we know that we’re in a privileged position getting to travel around the world with our mates.”
The group’s success comes at a time when it is increasingly hard for working-class bands to gain any traction, due to the funding that’s often required for acts to have any success.
However, Ogden believes that it’s still songs that matter the most. “There’s maybe a few bands that you might think have had a few benefits, but fair play to them if that’s the case.
“You’re not going to say no to that if you can get it, and if you’re writing good songs then it’s still a good song wherever you’re from.”
As for their heroes, there’s still a few on their list.
“We haven’t met Noel or Liam yet, so we’d like to meet them. I’m sure it’ll come…” Blossoms play Glasgow’s O2 ABC on Saturday
‘‘ The steps have come bit by bit. It’s not like The X Factor where you wake up the next day and everyone knows who you are