by Marisa Torrieri Bloom I’ve been a singer since I could breathe, from belting out carols to serenading friends at sleep away camp with Debbie Gibson songs (not always to their liking!). But when I started playing guitar and singing, I suddenly felt self conscious about how...
by Marisa Torrieri Bloom One of the greatest things about love is that it spurs creativity. Brooklynite and personal trainer Sharissa Reichert and her artist/musician hubby G.F. Newland (“Gerry”) embody the idealized vision of having a band with your lover. Shortly after falling in love five...
by Marisa Torrieri Bloom Even before the Super Bowl this past Sunday, I've always been in awe of Pink. She's not only one of the most engaging, cool singers, but an imperfect mom with an insane work and fitness ethic. Who can forget those showstopping acrobatics...
In 2017, I had a blast playing solo shows, duet shows, and even one full-band show (with Grandma's Mini, in Washington, D.C.). I played in Stamford, Redding, and Bridgeport, CT; Brooklyn, N.Y., and the aforementioned D.C. While it would be amazing to play a monthly...
The mid- to late 1990s shaped my musical tastes. I transitioned from loving George Michael and Debbie Gibson to developing a craving for a genre known as “alternative” rock, that leaned heavily in the direction of Seattle. Yet I also craved the sweeter sounds of...
by Marisa Torrieri Bloom When I was little -- well, like 11 or 12 -- my dad Don Torrieri got me to watch "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" for the first time. I kind of knew what it was about (I mean, the title...
by Marisa Torrieri New Year’s Resolutions have become a bit of a cliche. Overly ambitious declarations destined to fail most of the time. Still, I start every year thinking, “OK, this is it! This is the year I play guitar for an hour a day every single...