These are acutely challenging times for artists who have committed their time, energy, and passion to making music, and in the process greatly enriched our lives. One such example is Blue Rose Code, who have recently had to reach out to their audience for support to complete their new album.
Picture: Gareth Allen
BLUE ROSE CODE
Blue Rose Code have featured many times on At The Barrier, with deservedly positive coverage of their studio recordings and live shows. This reflects that in Blue Rose Code’s Ross Wilson, we have a gifted songwriter and musician, who produces songs that deeply resonate with his audience, for their emotional authenticity, sense of place, and musical craft.
The songs speak to things that matter and are conveyed with a moving empathy for people and circumstances. Ross has unsurprisingly attracted many great musicians over the years to play his songs. His live shows are never predictable, from acoustic duos to full band soul revues, and intricate jazz settings. Consequently, his songs are always evolving and changing, as Ross and his fellow musicians reinterpret them to find new meanings and musical layers.
New songs are road tested with audiences, such that a new album will always have that feeling of a partnership between Ross and the people that come to Blue Rose Code concerts. That partnership is very evident in the affection between Ross and audience members when they meet and chat at the end of a show.
HALTED RECORDING
Despite all of this, Blue Rose Code at the halfway point of recording their new album, East Of Eden, have had to halt the recording, while they sought additional support through a Kickstarter campaign (here), to complete the recording of the album. In a humble and moving video on the Blue Rose Code Facebook page, Ross has shared the pressures and challenges of making and sharing music; and the road he had travelled to asking with a heavy heart for support in completing the album. While still letting us in to his excitement about the new songs and the way they have spontaneously come knocking at his door.
It is therefore heart-warming and affirming to see that the Kickstarter campaign, at the time of writing this, has exceeded its goal, and accomplished that in less than 72 hours. The album will get completed, because quite simply there is love and respect out there for the music Ross and Blue Rose Code create.
SEE YOU UP THE ROAD
All of this is to say, that we need the music of Blue Rose Code, and of all the other fine musicians and artists featured on At The Barrier, now more than ever. Music has the power to bring people together, bridge divides, highlight social injustice, and offer healing. We cannot afford to lose that. The hope is that artists and audiences can continue to be united by a sense of solidarity and community in supporting each other, so that music whether on record or live, thrives and endures. Keep supporting, in whatever way each of us can, the music we all love and find life affirming. The song can and must go on, and as Ross says at the end of his video, “See you up the road.”
Blue Rose Code are also taking the East Of Eden songs on the road on a twenty plus dates national tour. You can find out more here.
Blue Rose Code: Website