Loose Bolts

Buzz-Music LA (Los Angeles):
“This Is Goodbye” is Loose Bolts latest single, the instrumentation behind the words rises expressively and powerfully. “This Is Goodbye” is connected at every step to the underlying sentiments and intentions of the song. As “This Is Goodbye” progresses, we are taken through the various stages of learning and looking back, meandering from optimism to error, from hope to pain, from joy to guilt. Ultimately the song calls for the listener to break free, to be content as an individual. Personal reflections meet with broader poetic references to create something that easily relates to just about anyone who knows what love and loss mean. “This Is Goodbye” builds up in a perfectly emotional manner, all the way through until it's a beautifully chaotic breaking point. A powerful and timeless track that brings together purity and pain from the depths of the human experience. We can’t wait to hear more from Loose Bolts! - Buzz-Music LA

‘This is Goodbye’ is the stunning latest release by Loose Bolts. Based in Fort Walton Beach, FL, Loose Bolts is the brainchild of singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist Ian (Brice) Gomez.

It is a single with stripped back instrumentation that lets the beautiful song shine through. It is, as the title suggests, a tear-inducing breakup song. The single feels honest, earnest and heartfelt throughout. There is genuine sentiment set to a beautiful melody. It is a unique and fresh look at a much relateable topic.

First, we hear an electric guitar with a dreamy quality to it. There is a water sound underpinning the guitar which adds atmosphere to the track. The guitar riff is melodic and staccato in places, it soon becomes familiar as the song progresses and it is thoroughly addictive.

There is a bass quite low in the mix. It is subtle but integral to the piece. The vocals are the shining star of the track. Filled with emotion and warmth, gorgeous melodies fill the audio landscape with intrigue and interest. The backing vocals add layers of luscious harmonies and further enhance the rich song. The gentle guitar solo that underpins the second verse has a harsh sound to the guitar. This is a wonderful juxtaposition to the smooth melody. It adds further texture and colour to an already beautiful song.

‘This is Goodbye’ is the follow-up release to the 2019 single ‘Lover’s Tears’. Having been released officially on the 30th August, ‘This is Goodbye’ is available to stream today. We truly feel that Loose Bolts is just getting started! This is most certainly an artist who is one to watch and we can not wait to see what will come next!

FVMusicBlog September 2019 - FVMusicBlog

When Ian Gomez was 8, he had a dream he was jamming out on a red Fender Stratocaster in the bathtub.

Since then, the Crestview singer-songwriter has been trying to manifest that dream — minus the bathtub, and minus the Stratocaster. Gomez, 26, released the single “Lover’s Tears” in May under his moniker, Loose Bolts.

“Lyrically, the song is inspired by this moment I had during a relationship I was in about seven years ago,” Gomez said. “I’ve been trying to write songs about it, because it was one of those things that sticks with you. I think I finally got around to writing a song — just letting it happen — that finally did it justice, the sadness of it.”

As Loose Bolts, Gomez plans to release music one song at a time until he runs out. Listen to “Lover’s Tears” and other Loose Bolts’ songs on Spotify, YouTube or Soundcloud.com/loosebolts4real and learn more at Facebook.com/LooseBolts4Real or LooseBolts.org.

A couple of years after Gomez’s bathtub vision, his parents bought him a tiny Jay Junior guitar for his birthday. At the time, he was more into skateboarding — at least until he started performing poorly in school as a teenager.

“Dad took away the board,” Gomez said. “In the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, I was like, ‘I’ll just focus on music more.’ Even at that point, I understood how important music was.”

Being young changed how Gomez pursued music.

WATCH

June 15 at chizuko, 506 W. Belmont St., Pensacola

June 22 and 28 at The Boathouse Landing, 124 N. John Sims Parkway, Valparaiso

July 6 and 22 at Lotus Café & Juice Bar at Zen Garden, 707 Richard Jackson Boulevard, Panama City Beach

LISTEN

Listen to “Lover’s Tears” and other Loose Bolts’ songs on Spotify, Youtube or Soundcloud.com/loosebolts4real.

LEARN MORE

Learn more at Facebook.com/LooseBolts4Real or LooseBolts.org.

“I had this insecurity about if my songs would be worth anything to anyone if I was just this kid trying to push music when I didn’t really know much about life,” Gomez said. “I was like, ‘I’ll just play music, but I’m not going to write songs and actually be an artist.’”

Instead of songwriting, Gomez picked up drumsticks and played drums for punk bands, metal bands and a death metal band based in Crestview for five years. His original music happened organically.

As Loose Bolts, he released the four-song EP “Discontent” in June 2015. It featured much influence from punk rock and funk music, he said.

“I’ve waited since I released that because I didn’t know anything about promoting music back then,” Gomez said. “I was really passionate and just wanted to put stuff out there. At that point, I was just considering putting out music and hopping trains — seeing where it takes me. But that’s not the safest route.”

Gomez has hoarded songs since 2015.

He is also nearly finished with the music production technology program at Northwest Florida State College he started in the fall of 2017. He plays the drums, guitar, keyboard and bass guitar, but vocals are his self-proclaimed main squeeze.

“My songwriting process is basically I hear a fully formed song in my head, and I do whatever I have to do to make that come to life in reality,” Gomez said. “The main components of a rock ‘n’ roll, pop, funk music are what I dabble in.”


Gomez’s goal with music goes beyond the craft.

Music helped Gomez through his social anxieties. He hopes to become a voice for people, he said.

“One of my biggest inspirations is Dashboard Confessional because of how sincere and honest the songwriting is,” Gomez said. “People attach themselves to that so sincerely, because there’s something about that sort of songwriting. I would like to be that for people — not just for the sake of being that for people, but to be helpful.”

The title and chorus of his deeply personal recent release, “Lover’s Tears,” were inspired by a specific moment when a relationship ended, he said.

“It was crazy that, in a way, it was my fault this person was so sad,” Gomez said. “I never had really experienced somebody being that sad because of something I was involved in. I was 19, and I had never really tried to be in a serious relationship before.”

Gomez’s project name, Loose Bolts, has a less specific meaning.

“The whole idea behind it is if my music were the body of work of a robotic being, all of the different songs would be the loose bolts of the framework of the infrastructure,” Gomez said. “Or, you could definitely just be like, ‘Kid’s got loose bolts going on.’ I call myself the boy with loose bolts.

“At the end of the day, I’m just a truth-seeker who writes songs. I think that’s what artists are supposed to be.” - Northwest Florida Daily News

"Right from the start Gomez (Loose Bolts) stands out from other artists in a good way within this overly saturated market. His answer to mundane music is to deliver something unique and powerful. In this overly saturated market with a plethora of artists coming out of the woodwork, armed with nothing more than a PC, Microphone, a guitar and a crappy sounding CD – it’s nice to know there are a few artists out there that can still deliver music that will blow your mind, cause you to think while plucking your heart strings all at the same time. These new artists I speak of manage push their music out to the world and much of it is, do I dare say substandard in nature. So enter a guy like Gomez via his musical moniker “Loose Bolts” from Pensacola, FL. you’re a-typical acoustic-folk independent who just released this EP.
So what do artists like David Wax Museum, The everybodyfields, Frontier Ruckus, The Deep Dark Woods, Middle Brother, White Rabbits, The New Pornographers, Wolf Parade and The Walkmen have that Gomez don’t? Not much if you ask me save the multi million dollars promotional machines and major record label support. Loose Bolts breaks the mold with his “striking folk” sound and amazing movements that will mesmerize both the novice and advanced listeners alike. All songs on this offering are shall I say top-tiered songwriting that has a deep seeded folk rock roots but also possesses elements of Americana and alternative rock. Many of these tracks on “Discontent”, Liability” and Adolescent” have a very up-close and personal feel to them. The playing skills of Gomez never cross into “freak show” territory. He’s a good writer, singer and he’s got good instincts when the recording light is on. But getting back to Gomez – he’s the genuine article, and a premier undiscovered talent that makes this whole experience somewhat magical and special. His voice is intoxicating and with his arsenal of good and rotten experiences to share with the world he gently takes you by the hand and leads you down a pure and genuine 5 track journey. Right now after hearing his music I must say he is the quintessential storyteller the world needs right now. I don’t say stuff like that often. I get the impression he’s extremely modest armed with a travelers man persona singing and performing songs the way they were meant to be sung – confidently and from the heart avoiding any over the top vocal “showboating”.
All in all “Discontent” EP is a great musical advent. Apparently there are still a few composers, arrangers, musicians, and vocalists out there believe in playing music the way it is meant to be played – straight from the heart and soul." - Michael Poe - Bandblurb.com

From Pensacola, FL comes Alt-Folk rocker Ian Gomez, known as Loose Bolts who just released his latest “Discontent” EP in 2015. Loose Bolts is comprised of Ian Gomez. In his own words: What these songs represent most to me is a coming of age and a changing of times. All of them were written over the span of about a year and were recorded in the span of about 3-4 months. If you’re reading this, I hope you can relate or at least appreciate the sentiments in some of these songs. If not, this could get a little awkward…

Right from the start it might be easy to just categorize Gomez as some odd sounding psychedelic Folk-Rock artist or write him off as the newest faddish thing trending around Pensacola. It wouldn’t be wise, though. Just listen to a few notable standout songs within this 4 song line-up like (Discontent) (Liability) and you will hear why Gomez is surging around Pensacola. Indeed there’s much that lies beneath the surface of these songs and no doubt there’s a method to his madness. First: there are some really emotionally charged pieces on this EP that really step outside the traditional musical boundaries on the Radio right now. Second: Loose Bolts have an infectious College Rock sound that is compatible to Radio airplay. Third: It’s nice to know good songwriting and emotional singing/writing that lets it all hang out. All of the above enhances the listening experience for me rather than limit it. Gomez is obviously experienced at performing and writing powerful music, but it’s the combination of all of the above him so deadly. Let’s just say Gomez is one guy not afraid to take serious chances with his music. On this EP you will hear straight up College Rock, Alternative Folk and Psychedelic Rock. Here the true genius of Loose Bolts really shines through via a highly diversified collection of music. Gomez is a great front man but he’s no one trick pony either. He’s also and good guitarist and effective vocalist/songwriter. I really like the well placed harmonies and the vocal risks he takes with his music. Perhaps all this and more that is why Loose Bolts is on our Radar screens in the first place. Forgive me if I’m talking in circles – but some bands and artists can deliver music that’s pretty conservative and painfully simple. Then there are other musicians who will go down a much different path and deliver music that shines bright like a priceless diamond amongst the lackluster. In lieu of this fascinating 5 track EP by the Loose Bolts via addictive musical personality and impressive string of songs it almost feels as if Gomez is on to something special. This “Loose Bolts” is a one of a kind EP that’s closely tied to classic alternative and psychedelic music that millions love. I hate to pigeonhole but I can hear a Blind Melon, Jane’s Addiction, The 1975 and The Neighborhood.

Criticism: All songs over 3.5 minutes tend to drag you to the finish line. I did detect a few very minor timing flaws between the drums and the rest of the instrumentation. I also typically debut 1 star for EP releases. The full length CD is the most complete vantage point to judge an artists by at any given moment in time.

It’s true that many bands/artists start off sounding like another act in some way, shape of form only to develop a trademark sound later in order to get their career moving. Additionally some bands need future releases to demonstrate more in the way of musical molding or identity developing as all artists have to start somewhere. Having said that Loose Bolts don’t need any of that BS! Their sound is already there! It is 100% real.

Score: 3.5/5 - Andrew Perryman - Gashouse Radio