BLUE ROSE CODE

"They’re surely one of the greatest live acts around right now so if you get a chance to see them in any of their many guises do yourself a favour and go." Americana UK

A nomad, both geographically and musically, songwriter Ross Wilson aka Blue Rose Code writes straight from – and to - the heart. His songs address universal themes of love, loss, travel, home, accepting the past and embracing the future in a deeply personal way. They are variously painted with the vibrant colours of folk, Americana, jazz, country, soul, pop and, increasingly, celtic traditions; an eclecticism that has seen him compared to John Martyn, Van Morrison and Tom Waits amongst others.

His latest, and long-awaited, album With Healings Of The Deepest Kind was released in July 2020. Self-produced for the first time, and taking his emotional honesty to new levels, it’s the most fully realised rendition of his singular vision to date. Reaction and reviews for the record have been overwhelmingly positive:

"Healings is ravishingly beautiful, a burnished blaze of Caledonian Soul, muted jazz and poetic recitation…A bruised peach of a record." Uncut 8/10

"This album should be on everybody’s end-of-year list without fail." Folk Radio

"Ross' songwriting and expressive performance are simply breathtaking. With Healings Of The Deepest Kind is an album classic.” Louder Than War

"An album touched with genius, toiled with experience and, ultimately, suffused with healing." Blabber’n’Smoke

Collectively, Blue Rose Code’s four previous albums have featured such luminaries as Ewan McGregor, Danny Thompson, Nashville gospel legends The McCrary Sisters, Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis and Beth Nielsen Chapman. The Water Of Leith, released in October 2017, was named by The Skinny magazine as their Scottish Album Of The Year. It was also nominated for both the SAY (Scottish Album of the Year) award and SAMA (Scottish Alternative Music Award).

Recent live highlights include the Scottish leg of BBC Radio’s The Biggest Weekend; opening as special guests for Deacon Blue on the To Be Here Someday tour; a sold-out tour of Ireland with Eddi Reader and a very special show in Perth for Southern Fried festival with a 60-strong community choir. Blue Rose Code presents Caledonian Soul, an all-star revue created and curated by Ross has sold out major shows at both Celtic Connections (City Halls) and the Edinburgh Fringe (Queens Hall) in 2019 and in London. His set at this year’s online Celtic Connections was undoubtedly one of the biggest hits of the entire festival.

As Blue Rose Code, Ross performs solo and in everything from a stripped-down trio to his core five-piece band right up to a ten-piece soul jazz ensemble and relishes tailoring his lineup and repertoire to suit particular events or venues. Whatever the format, a Blue Rose Code show is always an unforgettable and truly uplifting experience.

“An astonishingly accomplished, pure and sincere record celebrating the next chapter, and the happiness and success that this ever-improving, undeniable talent rightfully deserves.” ***** The Skinny

“Wilson's songwriting is fantastically varied, and as witty and knowing on the one hand as it can be heartbreaking and sentimental on the other.” The Herald

"Seriously can't recommend Blue Rose Code enough, cannot stop listening." Ewan McGregor

"Truly special and beautiful." Edith Bowman

“It doesn’t need categorisation, does it? It’s just great music, beautiful music, music to make you think, and to lose yourself in. All I know is, this album makes my heart swell.  Filled with emotion and yearning and exploration of Scotland inside and out, it’s a splendid edifice.” Ian Rankin

Official Website: www.bluerosecode.com

Mairi McGillivray

Mairi McGillivray is a Gaelic singer from the island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. Mairi comes from a strong gaelic background and uses her heritage along with her dynamic range of musical influences to put her own style on songs from her tradition, performing in gaelic and other traditional styles.

Mairi has performed at various venues across the UK and most recently made her debut at Celtic Connections 2022. Mairi graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2020 with a First Class Honours in Traditional Music. She also won a prestigious Danny Kyle Award in January 2021.

Mairi's Debut EP, "In My Mind", was released on the 15th of January 2021. The EP is formed of 4 tracks of different style including one self penned song "Sea of Men" along with traditional gaelic and scots pieces. She was joined on the EP by some of Scotlands best young musicians, Seán Gray (guitar), Isla Callister (fiddle), Charlie Stewart (double bass), Graham Rorie (mandolin) and Paul McKenna (backing vocals).

Official Website: www.mairimcgillivray.com

Heather Cartwright

Heather is a fabulous guitarist and vocalist, currently studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and who is quickly growing and developing as a musician and performer, with outstanding compositions and arrangements that are a joy to experience.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HeatherCartwrightMusic