Balance and Composure Are in Their New Bloom

Returning to Australia in March at New Bloom Festival, the Pennsylvanian band talk touring Australia, their origins and the songwriting battle

A band, like most things in life, often undergoes a metamorphosis. During this process, some aspects are shed, while others are added. In the end, you might not look the same, but inside, you often remain unchanged.

This is what I see when I look at Balance and Composure, the Pennsylvanian band that has grown and evolved since its inception. Speaking to me from his home in Philadelphia, lead singer Jon Simmons still carries the same boyish spark in his eye—a glimmer that has remained from the early days of their career. Despite all they’ve accomplished, Simmons is still, in some ways, bewildered by the fact that he’s in a band. “Everything about this still just blows my mind,” he admits with a smile, his humility evident.

Formed in 2007 after their high school bands disbanded, Simmons and his friends were invited to a random jam. Little did they know that this jam would evolve into a music career spanning nearly 15 years. Reflecting on their early days, Simmons recalls, “We didn’t do any battle of the bands. I hated the competitive nature of it. Plus, the rock scene in Pennsylvania was really thriving. We’d just play in churches, teen centres, YMCA’s… We’ve played in every kind of venue you can think of.”

Initially inspired by heavy rock bands like Nirvana, the band didn’t want to simply mimic their heroes. Instead, they set out to blend genres. “We wanted to mix beautiful music with heavy rock music,” Simmons explains. “So, we wanted to blend the heaviness of Nirvana with the beauty of Jimmy Eat World.”

As they began to gain momentum within the Pennsylvanian music scene, their determination grew. “We would play every weekend in our hometown,” Simmons says. “Then we branched out to other cities. We met other bands, did a weekend tour. It was a slow build, but it was worth it.”

Despite suggestions that college might be a more traditional route, Simmons and his bandmates were driven by their passion for music. Their perseverance eventually took them overseas. “I think we toured Australia before Europe. It was a big leap. It pushed us to keep going. It’s an amazing feeling. I still struggle to understand it. I’ll never take any of it for granted,” he says.

Now, the Pennsylvanian rockers are gearing up to return to Australia for a string of shows in March 2025. Performing at New Bloom Fest—a curated rock, grunge, and punk festival—the band couldn’t be more excited about their return. “I genuinely could not be more excited. I wish it were tomorrow,” Simmons exclaims. “This will be our fourth time in Australia, and I absolutely love it there. I feel like Australian crowds are energetic and very welcoming. I’ve played some of the most fun shows of my life in Australia. The crowds are excited that we’re there.”

As for their plans when they return, Simmons tells me there will be a lot of “hanging out” going on. “Last time we were there, we did a lot of cliff diving. Our driver would take us to cool spots, and we’d jump off cliffs into the water—25 to 30 feet high at the tallest. There was a lot of time spent in the ocean and, of course, a lot of bevvies too.”

The band will also be performing in support of their latest album, With You in Spirit. The record, which was recorded over the past two years amid other commitments, was a challenging process for Simmons. “Lyrics are hard,” he admits with a deep exhale. “They’re how people remember the song. You want to be eloquent, but you also want people to like it. It’s difficult. It’s often a battle within yourself.”

From this battle though, Simmons’ says he and his bandmates have created a record they are deeply proud of. “Over the years, the music grew with us. Now it’s out there, it will grow for other people too.”

Balance and Composure are performing at New Bloom Festival alongside Basement, Drain, One Step Closer, Sweetpill, Glitterer and more. Tickets can be accessed here.

New Bloom Festival Tour Dates:

Brisbane – 8 March 2025 – Fortitude Music Hall  (18+)

Sydney – 9 March 2025 – Roundhouse (18+)

Melbourne – 10 March 2025 (Public Holiday) – The Timberyard (18+)