BLEETH - Miami's Heaviest Sludge-Noise Evolution ! (USA - Sludge Noise Rock - Interview with Lauren PALMA).

Hello ! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your encounter with this musical universe, what appealed to you, what fascinated you and what made you want to get into music? 
My name is Lauren Palma, and I’ve been drawn to music since I was very young. In middle school, I asked my band director what the hardest instrument was to play; he told me it was a tie between the French horn and the oboe. I chose the French horn because I thought it looked more badass. I taught myself how to play, eventually auditioning for university alongside over 200 other people—and I was chosen as one of only seven.
Studying music was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, but it shaped who I am today. I had always wanted to play guitar, but I never had the opportunity because I was so hyper-focused on the horn. When I graduated college and moved to New York, my roommate was an incredible guitarist. I remember coming home after work, borrowing their guitar, and holing up in my tiny room just to play for hours.
Early on, I made a conscious choice: I didn’t want to "master" the guitar the way I had the horn. I wanted the freedom to express myself without the constraints of theory. To this day, I don’t care about note names, chords, or scales. I just put my fingers on the strings and play what feels good in the moment. I’ve never looked back.

Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band?
Bleeth started in 2015 from the ashes of a previous project I shared with our bassist, Ryan Rivas. Ryan and I went to high school together and have been friends for over 20 years. When we decided to start Bleeth, we were deeply inspired by the Miami scene at the time—bands like Shroud Eater, Nunhex, and Holly Hunt. It was such a tight-knit community; going to shows felt like attending a master class, everyone was so ridiculously talented.
Our previous project was experimental, grungy, and alternative, but with Bleeth, Ryan and I wanted to explore a heavier, darker sound. Going to shows in warehouses with pentagrams painted on the floor will do that to you. Our earliest songs were realized with Ale Campos (now of Las Nubes and Iggy Pop) on drums. Then we met Juan Londoño, who became our musical brother, and Bleeth truly blossomed.
We played with Juan from 2015 to 2023. That year, we were two weeks out from a tour, and Juan was traveling from Mexico to Miami to prep. Tragically, he was stopped at immigration and turned away, his visa revoked. We were devastated—I still am. He’s a brother to me, and I miss him every day. During that crisis, we connected with Hector Mojena, a friend from the scene. He learned the entire set in two weeks and crushed the tour with us. He is our current drummer, and this EP marks our first release with him.
 
Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?
I’ve always struggled with this question. In my own life as a queer person, I don’t believe in labels—and I feel the same way about being pigeonholed into genres. We don’t write music thinking we have to stay within a certain box; we honestly write whatever feels right in the moment or whatever comes together in a jam that we decide to explore.
In my opinion, our sets take people on a ride. It’s a sonic journey. You’re not going to hear thirty minutes of a single, repetitive genre; you’re going to experience an evolution. If I had to place us on a spectrum, I’d say we land somewhere near sludge-noise, but even that only tells part of the story.

 

Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences ? How important are the lyrics for you ? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics ? 
Ryan and I both share vocal duties in Bleeth. We draw inspiration from our personal lives and surroundings, as well as the general state of the world. As a band, we’ve really evolved lyrically; early on, the lyrics were the last piece of the puzzle we’d put together. These days, we’re building everything simultaneously, or even making the vocals the most prominent part of the song.
Lately, a lot of the messaging we want to convey is directly related to the heaviness we feel from the world. I want to speak loudly about where we stand. It’s important to be real and to have an outlet where we can truly express that.

About the band's discography... Imagine someone who doesn't know your band at all and wants to get interested in.. Which release would you recommend to start with, and why? 
I’m incredibly excited about the full-length album we’re planning after the release of this latest EP. But if I were trying to get someone interested in us for the first time, I’d tell them to start with Marionette. That album is truly a trip; I love how wide the spectrum of sound is on that record. It’s a strong representation of who we are, where we want to be, and a clear insight into where we’re going next.
 
About your latest release ? 
We are about to release our EP "Lázara" on May 29th with the first single Pretty on the inside on May 15. Recorded and mixed by Ryan Haft at Sunburn Sound  in Miami Fl and mastered by Adam Matza at Magic Ears mastering. The artwork was Created by Lauren Palma. It will be available on all streaming platforms and for purchase on Bandcamp. In the near future we will be making cd's for sale as well.


 
Future plans ? 
In July we will be doing a florida panhandle run to celebrate the release of the EP. We are currently working on recording our next Full length, we will be releasing the first song off that full length with a music video and in October we get to open for FLorida legends Torche.
 
Your most insane dream with the band would be ?
Play Festivals, Tour Europe!

 
 
Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why ? 
The best show in recent memory was opening for Eyehategod and Crowbar. It was a sold-out night, and we absolutely nailed it—getting to open for two legends was incredible. As for the "worst" show, I can’t really say. We can definitely be our own worst enemies sometimes, but I feel like as long as we get out there and try our best, it doesn't feel right to call any of them the worst.
 
Next live-appearance(s) ?
July 10, Gainesville
July, 11 Tallahassee
July 12 Jacksonville
July 24 Miami


 
Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name ? 
I think Miami has some of the best bands and musicians in the country. There's something about being so far downhere and honestly isolated that makes the scene really special. We love our friends in, Torche, Caveman Cult, Shitstorm, Wastalands, Prison Warder, Homicide Jenny, Bloom Dream,Gravess, Devalued, Holly Hunt, Ian Iachamoe, Floor, Cypher, Bardo, Donzii, I mean I could honestly go on forever !