This Bliss and New Alliance Gallery: A Dynamic Duo Transforming Boston's Music & Art Scene | by Ian Morris | November 2024

At the intersection of music, art, and community lies the powerful partnership between the Boston-based band This Bliss and the innovative New Alliance Gallery. This Bliss, known for their mesmerizing indie-pop soundscapes, has become a staple in the local music scene, while New Alliance Gallery continues to push boundaries by combining an art gallery, music production studios, and artist workspaces under one roof.

As co-owners and curators of the New Alliance Gallery, members of This Bliss have further solidified their dedication to fostering artistic expression and collaboration in the Greater Boston area. The gallery plays host to a diverse range of exhibits and performances, including the annual Synth-tember series, which highlights the intersection of art and science.

Together, This Bliss and New Alliance Gallery have created a thriving hub for artists and creatives, bringing innovative events and experiences to the community. As they continue to challenge the boundaries of traditional art spaces and champion the talents of both established and emerging artists, their collective impact on Boston's cultural landscape only grows stronger.

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Based in Boston, MA, This Bliss is far from your average laptop band. The brainchild of New Alliance East Mastering owner Nick Zampiello and singer-songwriter Jess Baggia, this dynamic duo expertly fuses heavy beats, layered textures, and character-driven vocals to create their unique take on electronic music.

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Questions For This Bliss

Could you share some of your most significant musical influences and how they have impacted the evolution of your band's sound and artistic direction?

This Bliss: We are ever-evolving in our songwriting and style. We love analog music gear and 80s synthpop. We also love classical music and sampling. Each record we release has its flavor and mood. Our new release, Radiate, is a coupling of the singer/songwriter ethos with electronic music. 

In what ways do you believe that music, as a universal language, can transcend barriers and bridge gaps between different cultures and communities?

This Bliss: Music connects people emotionally. Through music, we communicate and experience feelings in a visceral way that is otherwise difficult to verbalize. For us, music is a way to express ourselves and establish connections with like-minded people.

As a band that values connection and empathy, how do you strive to create an inclusive and engaging environment during live performances, ensuring that your fans feel connected to the music and to one another?

This Bliss: We strive to create an engaging and visually stimulating atmosphere by juxtaposing live vocals with electronic elements alongside interactive visuals that change with the music. We intentionally keep the technology and gear contained so there's no barrier between us and the audience.

The visual component of your work complements your music perfectly. Could you walk us through the creative process behind melding your musical compositions with stunning visual elements? What impact do you hope this synergy has on your audience's connection with your work?

This Bliss: Our most recent batch of songs layer polyphonic choral samples over electronic instrumentation, featuring live vocals to create three-part vocal harmonies. The visuals were designed to complete the cinematic experience. They are triggered live by MIDI using video synthesis. 

Note: To learn more about the visuals, see https://www.newalliancegallery.com/video-percussion-synthesizer

Considering the emotional power of art, how do you perceive the interconnectedness of music and the human experience in fostering a greater sense of empathy and connection within our society?

This Bliss: Music brings people together best in physical spaces. It's easy to be hyper-focused on the internet to promote your art, but it can be toxic and hard to reach people. Communities like our gallery can truly connect people and, we hope, create magical spaces to foster art and collaboration. 

Links:

www.thisbliss.net

https://linktr.ee/thisbliss

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Questions For New Alliance Gallery

In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art, how do you approach the curation of your gallery, ensuring a balance between established artists and emerging talent while fostering a space that encourages creative dialogue and innovation?

Answer: Our gallery is a community. We work together to support the physical space and each art show, taking turns with curation and donating time. We broaden our community by inviting different artists and groups to showcase their work, hold events, and create a destination for anyone who appreciates art.

Art has the power to challenge perceptions, evoke emotions, and stimulate critical thinking. How do you select pieces that have the potential to ignite such transformative experiences for your audience, and how do these works contribute to the ongoing conversation on culture, identity, and the human condition?

Answer: Each exhibit has its unique theme and perspective. Our current show, 'Synth-tember' invites the artists to present their views on the intersection of art and science. The exciting part of this process is how each piece resonates with deeply human elements in a distinctly technical show. 

As technology continues to influence the way we create and engage with art, how do you envision the integration of digital mediums within the gallery space, and what opportunities do you see for artists to explore new modes of expression?

Answer: "Synth-tember" will be established as an annual gallery event dedicated to the intersection of technology and art. Our goal is to evolve this event over time and create more opportunities for collaboration with other arts and science organizations, including schools.

Art has long been a powerful vehicle for social change. How do you see the role of the gallery in amplifying the voices of artists who seek to address pressing issues and foster positive change within our global community?

Answer: With each show, we expand our local community, branching out into new communities and inviting new-to-us artists to present their work. We are also open to visiting curators and hope to establish more curatorial relationships in the future.

How do you envision the future of immersive, multi-sensory experiences in the realm of mental health, and what role do you see art playing in the landscape of personal growth and global healing?

Answer: For us, the greatest impact art has on mental health is the power to connect us in a physical space and establish a true sense of togetherness. It is a joy bringing people together to socialize in a safe and beautiful setting, surrounded by stimulating and interactive art experiences. 

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Links:

https://www.newalliancegallery.com/