ARTIST BIO​

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Blue Rose is a rootsy rock band based out of Chicago. Their original music, written by lead vocalist Jori Rose Griffith, and lead guitarist Marcus Gebauer,  is described as relatable emotive story-telling with an edge. They write what they feel and feel what they write, inspiring listeners to connect and come along for the ride. Backed by bandmates Mike Gruber (keys), Nicholas Kapche (bass guitar), and Eric Matteson (drums),  they incorporate elements of folk, country, classic rock and indie jam, describing their sound as new country with an old soul.  

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What if the greatest gift we could give is right here, right now?

For Chicago’s Blue Rose, this isn’t just an idea; it’s a way of life. Their music celebrates the here and now, highlighting the beauty and power of living each moment with intentionality and presence. Describing themselves as “new country with an old soul,” the midwestern band led by Jori Rose Griffith and Marcus Gebauer invite their audience to embrace life as it unfolds, unfiltered and unscripted – a theme that resonates throughout their debut album, Blue Moon.

Released on May 30, 2025, and produced by Noam Wallenberg at Chicago's own Rax Trax Recording, Blue Moon is as much a record about seeing our own ‘bigger picture’ as it is a reflection of Blue Rose’s story. While both Jori and Marcus have been lifelong musicians, neither pursued it as their primary career; she was a mindfulness entrepreneur, and he was in finance for nearly two decades. Meeting completely by chance at a party in 2022, Jori and Marcus connected over a shared love of music. Fast-forward a week, Marcus had joined Jori’s band, and a month later they were writing original songs together. Blue Rose is now their full-time pursuit – a reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams and lean into what you’re meant to do on this planet.

Their inspirations range from ‘60s and ‘70s classics like The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and The Eagles, to more contemporary bands like Phish, Mt. Joy, Kacey Musgraves, and Lainey Wilson, but it’s how Blue Rose infuses these influences that makes their music so special. Together with their bandmates, Mike Gruber (keys), Nicholas Kapche (bass), and Eric Matteson (drums),  they've cultivated a ‘Blue Rose’ sound that feels both familiar and forward-looking.
 

Their debut album – down to its very name – captures these core aspects of the group’s identity.

“A blue moon is this rare, beautiful, kind of magical thing.” the duo explains. “About midway through writing our album, there was this blue supermoon that we all got the chance to admire - this was coincidentally after we had already written our song Blue Moon! We took it as a sign, put there right in front of us – given that one of our mantras is ‘it’s there if you just stop to notice it.’ From then on, we knew that our album would be called Blue Moon, after its title track, and that all twelve songs within the album in one way or another, fit beneath the canopy of ‘rare and beautiful.”
 

Blue Rose’s songs themselves radiate joy and honesty, evoking the warmth and wonder of human connection and reflection. The band invites us all to slow down and enjoy the moment on “Slow,” a captivating tune that basks in the juxtaposition of thematic stillness and upbeat musicality. “What we gotta do tomorrow, it don’t make no difference,” Jori sings, encapsulating the value of enjoying life in the moment and soaking up summer’s softness. “This song represents many of the themes woven throughout the album,” Jori says. “It’s about going slow enough to notice the magic around us. I remember sitting in my backyard, watching the sunset, listening as the night set in - there was a bonfire. We appreciate life’s little moments, nature, a slower pace, seasons. We share memories of the simplicity of putting on the radio, looking forward to hearing songs we love. This song was inspired by our separate but similar shared experiences in our youth and as adults, how we see and enjoy the world.”

Further highlights include the exhilarating, uplifting blues rocker “Let Me Love You,”  and the achingly intimate “Life Is Short,” a comforting song about seeing the ordinary days as the ones to live for.

“Just Like Sheryl,” one of the album’s standouts, sees Jori admiring and embodying the female artists she’s studied since she was a kid. “I wrote this song to and for my young self, my own two young daughters, and myself as a grown adult,” she shares. “It's an ode to the strong women I grew up listening to and expresses the message of speaking your mind and dreaming big – no matter what age or stage in life you find yourself in.”

“If I Had A Rose,” written by Adam Wright, recorded by Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, was one of the first songs Blue Rose covered as a band. Their version is another definitive high point. “We loved the song, and its nod to our namesake, but thought it could use a chorus,” Marcus says. “We wrote our own, as well as an instrumental section, to tie the whole song together. We’re honored to be able to share our own interpretation of this song with the blessing of Adam Wright.”

A little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll, Blue Rose is as inspiring as they are enchanting – both on record and on stage. The band’s live shows have an especially unpredictable edge; it’s where their musical influences from the jam band scene and the classic and country rock world collide. And their album Blue Moon is filled with life’s endless possibilities and potential - a record that's the product of passion, connection, dreams come true, and an open invitation to live freely in the moment.​​

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KIND WORDS ABOUT 'BLUE MOON'

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"The duo, with a rootsy backing band, shows their versatility and widescreen musical vision as they explore various corners of the Americana music genre from roots rock to modern folk on this album." - AMERICANA HIGHWAYS

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"Blue Rose describes their sound as “new country with an old soul”—a sound that encapsulates “If I Had a Rose.” The lyrics, especially the hook, “Baby, what I gotta do?,” capture the timeless heartache of country crooners like Patsy Cline or Hank Williams. However, the duo adds a guitar solo and instrumental break in the middle of the song, injecting the “old soul” with a new country flair." -  MUSIC MECCA 

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"If country music is the lifeblood of America, then 'If I Had a Rose' is its purest essence. Blue Rose took a classic written by Adam Wright and performed by Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, breathing new life into it without losing respect for the original. This isn’t an attempt to reinvent anything—it’s a tribute to a genre that defines a nation." INDIE BOULEVARD

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"Blue Rose's 'Let Me Love You' is a blues-tinged pop rock single that showcases the band's knack for warmth and melody. From the first few bars, the track wraps you in rich, soulful guitar licks and a vocal delivery that's both intimate and emotionally grounded. There's a charm in it's restraint, the bluesy undertones and smooth production lend it a sense of familiarity without feeling dated.  The chorus is catchy yet tender, inviting without overwhelming. 'Let me Love You' soley yearns for a dynamic shift throughout but invites its listener and hooks from the get-go!" - MUSIC FOR THE MISFITS