Blue Rose Code

September 26, 2007, 4:30 pm; posted by
Filed under Articles, Chloe  | 5 Comments

There is no better concert than the one where you sit with the band when they aren’t performing. Last night I had the privilege of hanging out with Chris Smith and Blue Rose Code, thanks to my graphic designer friend Jesse. She had been to a Blue Rose Code concert the week before and ended up chatting with Chris, the band manager, about her work. He asked to see her portfolio, liked what he saw, and invited her back to chat with the band about the possibility of working together. I tagged along since Jesse didn’t know these people or where she was going, and ended up discovering a new favorite band.

The concert was at The Distillers, a classy pub in Hammersmith, and though the room where the event was held was more in the style of an open mic, the audience was completely focused on the performers. People who talked were shushed, and any mobiles that dared to ring were promptly tossed out the window. The program was called One Taste, and included a remarkable young man named Jamie Woon, who took a looping device and turned his voice into a full choir and band to accompany his rendition of “Wayfaring Stranger.” Also part of the show was PoeTree Man, a slam poet and tree surgeon who, as part of his performance, had the audience sing and scream like they’d been oppressed for two thousand years.

Blue Rose Code is an Islington band (Islington is a borough of London), although the lead singer, Ross, is from Scotland and Steve, the bass player, is from South Africa. They play relaxed folksy rock, bringing in instruments like the harmonica and fiddle to accent the acoustic guitar and bass. The band members themselves were personable, treating Jesse and me as little sisters, rather than a potential business partner and her random friend. Chris offered to buy us drinks, Steve’s sister told us stories from when she was a student at the London School of Theology, where we happen to be studying now, and Steve and Ross fell in love with the art samples Jesse brought along to show them.

Most important, however, was their music, which was so mellow and nostalgic that I became convinced I could listen to them forever and never grow tired of their style and sound. Blue Rose Code has real talent, and I wouldn’t be all that surprised if, in a couple of years, we find their album in our music stores. I encourage you to check them out at MySpace, and if you like what you hear, you can purchase their CD here.


Comments

5 Comments to “Blue Rose Code”

  1. Steve on September 26th, 2007 4:43 pm

    Oh, to be a slam poet/tree surgeon…

  2. Smithson on September 26th, 2007 5:11 pm

    Oh, to be a girl in love with her first local band…

  3. Erin on September 26th, 2007 11:05 pm

    FLIPPING SCOTLAND!??! FLIPPING ISLINGTON?!?!?! ARghghghg.

  4. Chloe on September 27th, 2007 2:53 am

    Sorry, love. Yeah, you would have loved his accent. Oh, hey, you should buy the CD!! ; )

  5. Alex on August 19th, 2008 12:15 pm

    Hi there

    Make sure you check Blue Rose Code’s page and forthcoming release at http://www.hohumrecords.com

    Best,

    Alex.

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