Imagine if the place where the sea and forest meet made a song.” - Morgan Mullin

The Coast

Blue Lobelia is the solo project of Kjipuktuk (Halifax) based multi-instrumentalist, Rachel Bruch. She blends classical and 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’.

In 2021 Rachel had her introduction to archival music work with her release of Folk Songs & Broadside Ballads released by Big Turnip Records (2021) and the single and music video, Holding on must always lead to letting go, inspired by the flaura and fauna of Upper Economy where she was a resident at White Rabbit Arts (2019). The following year she released, 'Resilient Moon' (2022) which de-centers the use of a loop pedal in order to create space for folk-centric guitar playing and unfettered string arrangements. Resilient Moon was warmly received with a MNS nomination for ‘Best Folk/Roots Recording of the Year’and was named in The Coast’s ‘Top 10 Albums of 2022’.

Awards & Opportunities 

2023

CCA Research and Creation Grant 

Cape Breton Center for Craft; Ground Rules Artist in Residence 

Private Study with Italian Mountain Fiddle Specialist Francesco Grasso

2022

Album ‘Resilient Moon’ Nominated for MNS ‘Folk/Roots Recording of the Year’ and named ‘Top 10 album of 2022’ by The Coast 

ANS Professional Development Grant 

CCA Professional Development Grant 

CCA Research and Creation Grant 

Private study: Contemporary & Pop Vocals (Rachael Delano), Harmony (Maximilian Fleischmann), Trad & Country Swing (Anna Wedlock), Mentorship (Jacques Mindreau), and Klezmer & Jazz Manouche (Gina Burgess)

2021   

CFAT Media Arts Scholarship / Exhibition 

Helen Creighton Society Grant  

CCA Explore and Create: Concept to Realization Grant  

EAC/Zuppa '50 Things' Commission Recipient  

2019    

White Rabbit Arts, Artist in Residence 

2018    

NSCC Artist Development Project

2017    

The Deanery Project Artist in Residence 

Commissioned composition for David Caesar’s Arctic World 

Music

Video

Inquiries

Contact

Bookings & General Inquiries  
Email Rachel HERE

Publicity + Media Requests 
Email Rosa ferne here