Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
Jori: Man oh Man. I grew up listening to pretty much anything and everything. Both my parents came of age in the 70’s and would play their favorite albums in our home when I was young – think Carole King, James Taylor, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, The Eagles, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Elton john, Gladys Knight & The Pips, CSN, The Jackson 5, etc. I still have those records! In addition to that music, my mom was an aerobics instructor who was always getting ‘new’ music to set her routines to, so I was always listening to those more poppy 90’s badass female artists like: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, Paula Abdul, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes. I think I started to develop an inner connection to these female artists, holding them high up as ultimate ‘role models’ so much so that Sheryl and Shania became the anchor of our song Just Like Sheryl – our first release! I’ve always loved all types of music, but really found a connection within the storytelling of a song.
Our ‘fusion’ sound is representative of the music we were raised on, as well as what we’ve evolved to love throughout our lives and into adulthood.
Marcus: Speaking a bit on influences: I grew up worshiping the Beatles….like studied them to the point of knowing whether each song is more a McCartney or Lennon song. This evolved into getting into all 70s classic rock in high school…I remember having a CD tower and being very particular about making sure the Led Zepplin albums were placed in the correct chronological order. This led to getting more into what I would call the jam band scene in high school and college…Phish and Allman brothers band to name a few. There was something really cool about seeing a song performed uniquely every time that drew me to this scene.
Q: What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Blue Rose”?
Jori: Music has the power to connect people — to unite them in common lived experiences and feelings, ways of seeing the world. We hope our listeners feel at home when they hear our songs and can see a little bit of themselves in the stories we tell.
Marcus: We want our listeners to feel good hearing our music. We want them to see themselves in our songs. They’re relatable, fun – written from the heart, about real moments/memories lived and dreamed. We want our music to elicit nostalgia, happiness, encouragement, and freedom.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
Jori: Margo Price and Kacey Musgraves. They feel like kindred spirits in the way they exist as artists, writers and performers. Inspiration for making music for me comes from deep within – my heart, my soul. I write to create and connect, and to feel at home within myself.
Marcus: Mt Joy.
I draw inspiration from this desire to tap into something bigger than myself. The desire to create something that will be around longer than me or my friends and family.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Let Me Love You”?
Jori: This one came around the holidays in 2023 – what a gift! The phrase ‘Let me love you’ had been looping in my mind. I knew I wanted us to build a song around that hook. We were at our bandmate, Marty’s house in his band room. Though winter, the sun was pouring in hence, ‘look at the window the sun’s shining in’. We wrote the song in one day – it was based on the foundation of just feeling lucky to be alive, to feel the sun, to love what we get to do each day.
Marcus: The message really goes hand in hand with how the song was born. It all came in one day, on a sunny winter day. So much of the song is that feeling you get waking up on a sunny day, with the whole day ahead of you. It’s happy and fun but also edgy.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
Jori: Heartfelt
Marcus: Eclectic
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Let Me Love You”?
Jori: The biggest challenge was figuring out the ending. We had this vision of making it this epic drawn out ‘na na’ fest a la ‘Hey Jude.’ Thank goodness for our producer, Noam, who knocked some sense into us letting us keep the peaking solo, but kept the song an approachable length. When we play it live though…watch out!
Marcus: This song didn’t have a ton of challenge. It flowed out faster than any song we’ve ever written.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
Jori: our music is generally uplifting. It’s about looking through life from and optimistic lens. Full sing joy in the tiny everyday moments that truly make life worth living.
Marcus: Our goal is simple….continue to be able to write and record and play music as long as we are able. Also, brighten people’s days in the process. Create something that connects with the people around us. This is what it’s all about.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
Jori: Sheryl Crow. She’s a hero of mine – one I’ve listened to and idolized since I was a small girl. I’d like to think she’s influenced my writing, the way I perform, and even my style. She’s such a badass.
Marcus: Trey Anastasio from Phish. I love that man so much.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
Jori: Understand that like any business, it’s not an easy path. But if it’s what you love to do and you have the drive to do it, almost nothing can stop you. It’s been the most fulfilling work I’ve done in my life.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
Jori: Go after the things you love, always. Who you are and what you offer this world is enough.
Marcus: Don’t stop playing guitar just because you had young kids!
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