Blue Lobelia

Blue lobelia is the solo project of K’jipuktuk (Halifax) based multi-instrumentalist, Rachel Bruch. She blends classical with indie-folk influence to create ethereal string arrangements under a rich soprano voice. Blue Lobelia’s debut album Perennial (2016) is “…an ebb and flow of sound — sometimes a sparkling brook, sometimes a tidal wave…’. The release was supported by three cross-province tours, with radio play on CBC and showcases at Maritime festivals such as Evolve, Paddlefest, Flourish and NSMW. In 2019, Bruch released her first full length album, Beneath all Bloom (2019), named ‘2019’s Best Album’ by The Coast. Deeply steeped in themes of dreamscape and motherhood, it has been described as the auditory equivalent of, ‘walking through an enchanted forest’ or ‘a daydream you can dance to’. Just weeks before the first lockdown, she performed alongside Dave Gunning, Owen Steel and Jennah Barry as part of Winter Warmer’s 2020 Songwriters Circle. Throughout the pandemic, Blue Lobelia has been gently writing and recording new music, including the album, ‘Folk Songs & Broadside Ballads’ released by Big Turnip Records (2021) and her latest single and music video, Holding on must always lead to letting go (2021). Rumour has it her forthcoming album (2022) de-centres the use of a loop pedal in order to create space for folk-centric guitar playing and unfettered string arrangements.