Blue Rose Code

Blue Rose Code is Scottish-born, London-based Ross Wilson. Raised in a council high rise by his grandmother on the East side on Edinburgh. Wilson skipped school to instead endlessly listen to records, everything from Motown and mainstream pop to Chet Baker and John Coltrane. Into his teens Ross found drink and drugs in efforts to escape his troubled upbringing, and found little solace in anything other than the ‘Unholy Trinity’ of Van Morrison, John Martyn and Tom Waits. Wilson admits that if he hadn’t been given that musical outlet by his grandmother he’d most likely now be dead or, along with many of his contemporaries, in prison. His musical obsession matched that of alcohol and, when his grandmother died, even escaping to London wasn’t enough to pull him out of the mire. He did, however find a community amongst the other escapees and immigrants of London’s East end, and found work in a local charity. His musical ability and potential success continued to be dogged by the alcoholism and addiction, with more than one A&R man or promoter being at the wrong end of his drunken rampages or infamous temper. But despite the troubles, Blue Rose Code was getting rave reviews and sharing the stage with many a celebrated writer: Bert Jansch, Kris Drever, King Creosote, John Renbourn, and James Yorkston. Brave indie label Ho Hum released his first double A side single. But following festival punch-ups, run-ins with police and general misanthropy they refused to record his album until Ross was clean. Ross, unable to tour, drink and stay out of trouble, gave up music altogether. Two years on and a trip to New York saw Ross being offered a chance to play with no pressure and no expectations by a promoter friend. Once again Ross picked up the guitar and played to mesmerised audiences in the hipster hangouts of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He returned sober, and with a host of inspiring new songs and a new found ambition.