A Q&A with Gordy Murphy

Gordy Murphy: One-man indie rock project’s immersive soundscapes…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
The title of my new single is ‘Wash,’ which will be the opening song of my upcoming record. This song is special to me because the image and inspiration surrounding it felt very natural and symbolic. I imagined looking out of my window as an adult and seeing a glimmer in the field. I walk outside to investigate and realise that it’s an old baseball from my childhood, covered in dirt but still visible. So I pick it up and practice my throws like I used to do as a kid, and this image stuck with me because we get so involved and stuck in the monotony of life that we forget the things we enjoyed doing. So this song reminds me of the decision to pursue music, satisfying a dream I’ve always had since I was young.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
The hardest part about this release was the daily grind it took to just move the project an inch. Since I play all of the instruments, it takes so much longer to write and record everything the way I like it. I love what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but it’s important to take breaks so that you don’t get burnout. Balancing this is essential for longevity.

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
Once I record everything in my office, all but the drums and vocals, I go to Cybersound Studio in Boston to record those tracks over what I’ve already recorded. My friend Mike over there is a wizard of an engineer/producer, so once the tracks have everything in place, he takes over and does a fantastic job. He brings the expertise. I’m glad to have Mike on my team; it’s like learning a completely new language, and for artists, time is better spent making art!

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
I really want my listener to have a vivid experience. So much of what I write stems from the senses; if that can connect with others then it’s extremely rewarding. Some music is groovy or rockin’, and so crowds will dance or bounce accordingly. I certainly have some tunes that can be classified like that, but overall I just want my listeners to be present, taking in everything. I want them to feel unburdened by the overstimulating world for just a moment.

How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
I normally begin with guitar, but sometimes it’s bass or drums. The most essential part of the process is creating a relaxed environment. When I’m relaxed, I feel inclined to explore the fretboard of the guitar freely, without hesitation and relying on habitual licks and chords, for example. Slowly the track builds as I then play a bass line, and then another guitar part, only to then remove the original guitar line, much like an ice-climber removes their old picks from the ice. Eventually there’s an idea there and sometimes after hours and hours of playing, only then can I determine if it’s worth pursuing the next day or not. If it isn’t, I repeat the same process tomorrow from scratch.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
With regard to this project, my biggest influences have been Wunderhorse and Fontaines DC. I absolutely love how they’re bringing rock back to the mainstream where it belongs! But most of all, they’re two dynamic bands with big sounds and fantastic lyrics that resonate with anybody who gives them a chance. I want to achieve the same attitudes they do in their music; when it’s time to rock, we rock, when it’s time to bring it down, we bring it down.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
Other than the US where I am, I’d love to tour Ireland. Sure, it has a lot to do with being a Murphy, but I think my music fits well within the Irish catalogue of Rock/Indie Rock artists. As for venues, the dream would be Red Rocks in Colorado because it’s a beautiful natural amphitheatre, where some of my favourite artists of all time have played. Jimi Hendrix played there.

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
As of now, I would say that ‘Leather Cigarette’ or ‘Outside Looking In’ are great first tracks for my listeners. ‘Leather Cigarette’ demonstrates that dark, dreamy, restrained anxiety prevalent in some of my songs, while ‘Outside Looking In’ incorporates many of my favourite musical tones, such as slide guitar and a fat, Americana snare sound.

What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
My goal is to bring rock music back to mainstream America. It’s a difficult goal to quantify, but I think I’ll know once I achieve it. For the moment, gaining listeners nationally and internationally is extremely rewarding and important for this pursuit.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
I first want to say thank you for having me! I am always writing music and I want my fans to know that I am in this for the long-term. I have no interest in taking the “easy way” to the top; I just want to write meaningful music that I hope you enjoy.

Find out more about Gordy Murphy at instagram.com/gordymurphymusic