I've always been very wary of trying to sum up what I do with a few
words... luckily, Nina Sharma gave me quite a few chances in her
interview of me for Riffin.com.
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The interview is available here for your inspection:
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David LK Murphy - The Anti-Folk Movement
Interviewed for Riffin' by Webjockey Sharmaster
Ever wake up in the morning and without even looking out the window you know that it has snowed? That's how Goodbye hits you, with all the grace of a first snow or the last, as it seems that Murphy is bidding adieu to the winter of his discontent on this album.
In this short space of six songs, Murphy managed to capture a sound that is both lush and varied. With fellow anti-folkers and friends on it, including Sarah Bowman of The Bowmans, Erin Regan, and Shilpa Ray of Beat the Devil (whose harmonium Murphy calls "the breath" of the album), Murphy's goodbye is definitely not a spare or lonely one.
Murphy's voice lilts and soars above it all. "So when I die, bury me beneath the apple tree and the dreams that I have will grow as fruit for you to eat," he sings on "Gone," one of many elegant lyrical moments on this album. Riffin' writer Sharmaster caught up with David in person for this exclusive interview.
Riffin': Who was one of your greatest influences growing up?
Murphy: Jessie Murphy, my sister, is an amazing songwriter. She has been one of my greatest influences growing up. Most consistent current influences include Leadbelly, Antony and The Johnsons, Ryan Adams, Tim and Jeff Buckley, Rachmaninov, Nick Drake, and Aesop Rock.
Riffin': Who are some influences that no one would ever guess?
Murphy: The Misfits are still in my head, my music may rarely betray that influence, but its definitely there, having fun in that darker realm of things, I click with that.
Riffin': You have a lot of instrumentation on the record, which creates a very rich and textured sound.
Murphy: It's about as surprisingly close as it can get to what I hear in my head. If I write a song, it's rare that I don't hear arrangements, it's really a matter of restraint, I guess artistic restraint, to not to go over the deep end, because its fun. Its so much fun to build on top of stuff, but then you end up with a ridiculous looking Christmas tree with too many ornaments, it's cute but ah… a fire hazard.
Riffin': Which do you prefer, recording in a studio or performing live?
Murphy: Live. They are different animals- being in the studio is like cooking if you do it right: you pick the ingredients and it's a good meal. If you do it wrong, then it's like taxidermy: you take something that was good alive and you butcher it, making a "jackelope" out of a rabbit and antelope.
Riffin': What's evolved with your sound on this album?
Murphy: I think I'm a lot more comfortable with my voice. That's another thing being in a studio, there is an immense psychological impact, singing into a mic in a room by yourself. Having to listen to yourself in headphones changes the way you sing. I think to really get comfortable requires a lot of recording. I still feel more comfortable on stage than I do in many other circumstances in my life because I know what I'm there for.
Riffin': Yeah, I guess the music is meant to be played that way.
Murphy: Yeah. I do it because I enjoy it, if I felt like it wasn't connecting to a larger human experience, I don't think it would be as satisfying. You don't feel as alone in this world because of music; it's a wonderful communion. Half the time I feel like an emotional locksmith because I know music is a means by which I re-enter emotional wounds and come out of an emotional place.
