Coming all the way from Salt Lake City, Cardinal Bloom is set to take multiple stages at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin.
Coming all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah, Cardinal Bloom is an indie rock band with an
upward trajectory gaining attention with every new release. The band is made up of Joey St
John on lead vocals and guitar, Josh Thomas on guitar, Jacob Silvester on vocals and bass,
and Nathan Adair on drums. Together, they create songs that feel personal and easy for
listeners to connect with.
Cardinal Bloom first caught viral attention with their breakout song “She’s Just A Friend,”
featured on their 2023 album “The Only Place I’ve Ever Known”. The track quickly made an
impact across social media, where its nostalgic and memorable hook helped it spread way
beyond their current audience. Fans connected deeply with the emotions behind the song,
turning it into a viral moment that introduced the band to thousands of new listeners and helped
establish a continuously growing fanbase.
Building on that momentum, Cardinal Bloom has continued to evolve while staying true to their
original sound that defined their music. Their most recent single, “What’re You Going to Do?”,
released in November 2025, continues to reflect that growth. The song explores themes of
confrontation and change which really captured the feeling of being at a crossroads and making
the decision to move forward. When listening to it, it feels like the next chapter for the band
which shows their maturity without losing the original sound.
As they get ready to travel from Salt Lake City to Austin, Texas for SXSW, Cardinal Bloom is
stepping into a major moment in their musical journey. SXSW offers the band an exciting
opportunity to gain recognition with new audiences, connect with industry professionals, and
share their music alongside artists from around the world. With a new song release and growing
momentum, Cardinal Bloom is a band that you should definitely put on your must see artist list.
SXSW 2026 will be taking place from March 12th through March 18th. View SXSW Badge levels + prices + more information here.
CHECK OUT OFF RECORD MEDIA’S 2025 COVERAGE 🙂
I am an Austin, TX based concert photographer with roots in Houston, TX. I graduated from Texas Tech University with both my BA and MBA. In my spare time, I photograph shows in the local Austin scene, buy way too many plants, and go bouldering. Some of my favorite local artists are NSFWho?, Chancla Fight Club, and Nolo.
