Press Kit

Summer/Fall News 2026

Azure Rose, a Toronto-based shoegaze, dream pop, and indie rock project, is evolving into a full live band for fall 2026. After releasing their debut single, Lights Come Down, they’re releasing series of singles in August and September, leading up to the October 3 release of their full-length album, Blue Drops, on vinyl. The band will mark the occasion with an immersive live show at Octoberdaze the Monarch in Toronto, bringing their dreamy sound to the stage for the first time. It’s shaping up to be an amazing night!

The Singles

The summer/fall singles reflect a more indie rock side of things, but still keep the vibe dreamy.

“Villains” - Aug 21st and "Blue Drops (Single)" - Sept. 4th

“Villains” kicks off the next run of singles with a more direct indie rock energy. Paired with the single version of “Blue Drops,” the two songs feel like a perfect set of two-minute, hook-heavy singles in the spirit of Teenage Fanclub and Guided by Voices with a dream pop style.

“Carry on My Mind”- September 18th

“Carry on My Mind” leans further into Azure Rose’s unique take on dream pop, featuring Nashville-based James Paul Mitchell on pedal steel. The combination of hazy guitars, warm pedal steel, and melodic songwriting brings to mind the dreamy, expansive feel of My Morning Jacket or Ride.

Playing Live at OctoberDAZE

Catch Azure Rose live in Toronto October 3rd at octoberDAZE - An Autumn Night's DreamPOP Experience

An immersive night of dream pop and shoegaze, with bands Azure Rose, Away Forward, Soft Set and more. Visuals by General Chaos

Azure Rose - Blue Drops Full length Vinyl out October 3rd

Azure Rose will release their debut full-length album “Blue Drops” on October 3rd.
Justin recorded the album over many late nights with Derek Downham on drums and with the help of Andy Magoffin at House of Miracles in Cambridge, Ontario.

The record moves between indie rock, dream pop, shoegaze, and some quieter, dreamier folk moments, with the different sounds coming together into something that's a little harder to pin down.

There's definitely a shoegaze influence running through the record, but this isn't a shoegaze pastiche exercise or a trip back to 1991. While the album wears its shoegaze and dream pop influences on its sleeve, the songs move around a bit, exploring different sounds and textures. The band explored a bunch of different sounds while making it, and those influences found their way into the album.

The singles are all included, but the album works as a whole and goes a little further.

For the vinyl release, the band teamed up with Drummond Vinyl, a Quebec based artist-run boutique vinyl company. The album will be available on classic black vinyl and a white/blue splatter edition.

Band Bio

Azure Rose is a band that doesn’t just rush into existence all at once; it unfolds gradually, revealing itself bit by bit, much like the songs that make up its unique sound. What started as a casual recording idea after a previous project evolved into something much bigger, influenced by time, teamwork and a strong dedication to getting every detail right.

The seeds were planted when the band’s founder Justin Grant, fresh off the wind-down of Fjord Rowboat, started tossing around ideas with longtime friend and drummer Derek Downham. What was meant to be a handful of songs quickly spiralled into an ambitious creative burst.

During the pandemic lockdowns, what had been a studio project finally found its live form. Reaching out to friends Frank Yang, Ian McKay, Kevin McKay and eventually welcoming Tim Foy as a full-time member, the group began to take shape through casual jam sessions that steadily evolved into something more deliberate. The chemistry was immediate, the sound unmistakable, and it became clear that Azure Rose was no longer just a recording experiment—it was a living band.

The name itself reflects that layered sensibility. Inspired by a love of painting and colour theory, “Azure Rose” blends the depth of blue tones with the fleeting beauty of Opera Rose, a pigment known to fade over time. It’s a fitting metaphor for music that embraces both richness and impermanence—the human creative spirit.

Band Photos