Photo of Chris Murphy

Chris Murphy

General Info

  • Genre: Electroacoustic / Jazz / Roots Music

    Location Los Angeles, California, US

    Profile Views: 43635

    Last Login: 8/1/2012

    Member Since 3/29/2005

    Website www.chrismurphymusic.com

    Record Label Kufala Recordings

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    .. For over 15 years, violinist and composer CHRIS MURPHY has been writing and performing his own style of instrumental music. His choice of material encompasses an incredibly eclectic range of musical styles from Electronica to Indie Rock to World Music. His passion to explore different genres brings to mind other talented and ambitious artists, Ry Cooder, David Bryne, Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, and Bill Frisell. "Prolific" is an adjective that easily describes Chris; he has 10 albums to his credit, including 5 recently released solo albums and has worked with a diverse group of artists including The Dandy Warhols, Sophie B. Hawkins, Victoria Williams, Har Mar Superstar, and members of Tom Waits's band, Iggy Pop's Band, X, Califone, Nels Cline from Wilco and film composer Nathan Larson from Shudder to Think. Chris is about to release a new solo album which features many of these artists..... ..REVIEWS...... Playing all manner of styles (Celtic, bluegrass, rock, etc.) through a guitar amp and over a rhythm section, Murphy makes Juniper a reminder of the great instrumental albums recorded by fiddle giant Mark O'Connor in the 80s and Ashley MacIsaac lately... Michael Toland, High Bias, May 15 2005.... "What keeps the listener's attention throughout is Mr. Murphy's magic violin. I say "magic" because of the number of different and crazy sounds that are emitted from that thing... There aren't many, if any, other violinists out there who do what Chris does, and he does it well. This man is a very accomplished musician, and it clearly shows." .. Sam Katz, Jambase, July 12 2005.... ...a talented violinist whose polished style drips freely from anything he plays, whether bass-fueled trance or bucolic hymnsThe arrangements are sparing expanses of rustling leaves, his playing the temperate, polished breeze. .. Jamie Lee, Jambands.com, May 8 2005 .... 3 1/2 stars (out of 5): Juniper sets folk-based fiddle forms against a folk-rock backing that's sort of an Americanized version of the veddy British Fairport Convention. At its bestthe results are an exciting instrumental take on folk-rock OverallJuniper is an entertaining listen... Stewart Mason, Allmusic.com...... "Murphy manages to tie everything together with the somber, forlorn aesthetic purveyed throughout the album...Murphy is skilled enough as a composer and gifted enough as a musician to hold your attention...If the violinist cum troubadour winds up being the hipster pose of 2006, remember that you heard it here first.".. -Justin Sheppard, prefixmag.com, 12/15/2005.... "You have to be very brave to record an album of solo violin. Chris Murphy does it on Noir and pulls it off... The result is a captivating set of melodic and atmospheric pieces." .. Angel Romero, World Music Central, June 25 2005...... "Salton Songs sure is one of the more interesting, albeit unusual, albums to have come my way recently. Those who like their music lively and enjoy aspects of world music coupled with modern treatments might want to give it a try." .. Dene Bebbington, Wind and Wire/Melliflua.... This album from eclectic violinist Chris Murphy takes the violin out of its traditional classical and English folk music settings and tries it in less familiar contexts... this is worth checking out... Mike Watson, Ambient Music Guide, June 2005.... Both a wily, charismatic performer and a fire-breathing virtuoso of the violin, Chris Murphy crams more musical mileage into a short set than most players do in an entire tour. Whether its through noirish atmospheres, joyfully bent traditional folk tunes, or belly-up-to-the-bar blues, Murphy does the devils handiwork on four-strings with a winning presence and a gypsys knack for crossing all musical terrains... -James Rotondi, Editor-in-Chief, Future Music Magazine.... If silver spoons were musical instruments, Chris Murphy would have been born with a violin jutting from his maw. Rooted in his immense training and unhindered imagination, his adventurous style is clear on Salton Songshis fluctuating melodies drift like ethereal vocal partsbolstered by robust rhythmic backing... Jamie Lee, Jambands.com, May 8 2005 ...... ..Luminous Reviews:.. .... “I can’t imagine a more original and refreshing album.”.. –Kevin Ehlers (The Pelican’s Perch 6/07) .... “Electric violinist Murphy said he wanted to do a really ‘L.A’ record, and he totally overachieved.”.. –Nels Cline .... “Listeners who are fans of blues, rock, and electronica will certainly find tracks that will seduce them on this album.”.. –Sari N. Kent (The Celebrity Cafe) (..Full Review..) .... "tuneful and captivating".. - Jonathan Woolf (MusicWeb International)(..Full Review..)
  • Members

    Chris Murphy - violin,loops, effects, W / D.J. Bonebreak /DRUMS / Hal Cragin /BASS .. .. ...... .. or buy from these online stores: .. ...... ..
  • Influences

    Miles Davis, Brian Eno, Charles Bukowski, Tom Waits, Charlie Chaplin, Raymond Carver, film noir, Andre Breton, Salvador Dali, Ingmar Bergman, Woody Allen, Jean-luc Ponty, Stephane Grappelli
  • Sounds Like

    Mogwai, Calexico, Dirty Three, Ry Cooder, Califone, Black Heart Procession, God Speed! You Black Emperor, Tin Hat Trio, Afro-Celt Sound System, Dead Can Dance, hot buttered popcorn, Explosions in the Sky

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  • Richard Harris


    HONORING ALL WHO HAVE SERVED Chris!
     

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" - MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT VETERAN'S DAY ...

    "The SUMMER SOLDIER and the SUNSHINE PATRIOT will,

    in this crisis, SHRINK from the service of their country;

    but he that STANDS BY IT NOW, deserves the LOVE

    and THANKS of man and woman. TYRANNY, like HELL

    is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us,

    that the HARDER THE CONFLICT, the MORE GLORIOUS

    THE TRIUMPH. What we OBTAIN TOO CHEAP,

    we ESTEEM TOO LIGHTLY: it is dearness only that gives

    every thing its value."

    ~ Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776

    GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE VETERANS!  THEY KNOW,

    MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE, THAT FREEDOM IS

    NEVER FREE!

    With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE my friend,

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    6 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    SPEAK OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE AND TYRANNY Chris!
     

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" - MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT SPEAKING OUT ...

    "First they came for the COMMUNISTS, and

    I did not SPEAK OUT --  because I was NOT A COMMUNIST;

    Then they came for the SOCIALISTS, and

    I did not SPEAK OUT -  because I was NOT A SOCIALIST;

    Then they came for the TRADE UNIONISTS, and

     I did not SPEAK OUT - because I was NOT A TRADE UNIONIST

    Then they came for the JEWS, and

     I did not SPEAK OUT - because I was NOT A JEW;

    Then they CAME FOR ME - and

    there was NO ONE LEFT TO SPEAK OUT FOR ME."

    ~ Pastor Martin Niemoller - A prisoner at the Dachau
       Concentration Camp

    STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT!  DON'T EVER LET

    THE VOICE OF FREEDOM BE SILENCED!

    With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE my friend,

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    6 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    PLEASE VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6TH Chris!
     

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" - MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT AMERICANS ...

    “I predict FUTURE HAPPINESS for AMERICANS

    if they can PREVENT the GOVERNMENT from

    WASTING THE LABORS OF THE PEOPLE

    under the PRETENSE of taking care of them.”

    ~ Thomas Jefferson

    PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6TH ~

    DON'T SILENCE THE VOICE OF FREEDOM!

    With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE my friend,

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    6 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    HAPPY HALLOWEEN MY FRIEND!
     

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" - MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Chris,

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT HALLOWEEN ...

    "When black cats PROWL

    and pumpkins GLEAM,

    May LUCK BE YOURS

    on HALLOWEEN."

    With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE my friend,

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    6 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    The HEART is where we live our PASSIONS Chris!
     

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" - MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT LOVE AND PASSION ...

    "LOVE ME without FEAR

    TRUST ME without QUESTIONING

    NEED ME without DEMANDING

    WANT ME without RESTRICTIONS

    ACCEPT ME without CHANGE

    DESIRE ME without INHIBITIONS

    For a LOVE SO FREE ....

    Will NEVER FLY AWAY."

    ~ Dick Sutphen

    THE LOVE BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN IS THE

    GREATEST AND MOST COMPLETE PASSION THE

    WORLD WILL EVER SEE!

    With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE my friend,

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    7 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    POVERTY is the worst form of VIOLENCE Chris!
       

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" - MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT POVERTY IN AMERICA ...

    >  The United States is the richest country in the world.

    >  14.5% of U.S. households struggle to put food on the table

    >  This represents 48 million Americans and 16 million children

    >  Most Americans live in poverty at some point before age 65

    >  Over 65% of low income families have at least 1 member
        who is working and 79% of single parent families work.

    >  Over 44% of children live in low income working families

    "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the

    abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide

    enough for those who have too little.”

    ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

    With Love, Respect, and Peace, my dear friend

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    7 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    May an ANGEL always watch over you Chris!
     

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" -  MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT ANGELS ...

    “We are, each of us ANGELS with only ONE WING;

    and we can only fly by EMBRACING ONE ANOTHER.”

    ~ Luciano de Crescenzo

    WE ARE ONE ANOTHER'S ANGELS!

     With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE, my friend

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    8 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    All That We Are is Because of What We Think Chris!
     

    "JACKSON'S LOVE - FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD" -  MY BRAND NEW CD - HAS JUST BEEN RECORDED - WATCH FOR IT SOON @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT TRANSFORMING ENERGY ...

    “Don't hold on to ANGER, HURT or PAIN.

    They STEAL YOUR ENERGY and keep you from LOVE.

    Learn to TRANSFORM the NEGATIVE FORCES in your

    life into POSITIVE ENERGY and PRODUCTIVE ACTION."

    ENERGY AND PERSISTENCE CONQUER ALL THINGS!

    With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE my friend,

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    8 months ago
  • Loony Ed Wood

    Hi, thanks for the friendship!

    check out my new songs, i hope you like them

    http://youtu.be/-DQqubdygv8

    http://youtu.be/NBcwt63gMQk

    updates on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/LOONYEDWOOD/10150091732630374

    and free sharing on soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/loonyedwood

    all the best

    LEW

    8 months ago
  • Richard Harris


    What are YOU LOOKIN' AT Chris?
     

    I AM RECORDING A NEW ALBUM THIS MONTH - WATCH FOR IT @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    TODAY'S THOUGHT IS ABOUT A FUNNY BABY ...

    That's right ~ COME AT ME BRO ...

    I've got something for ya ....

    I'll hit you so with so many LEFTS that

    you'll BEG for a RIGHT!

    HAVE A GOOD LAUGH TODAY!

    A DAY WITHOUT LAUGHTER IS A DAY WASTED!

    With LOVE, RESPECT, and PEACE my friend,

    Richard

    www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    Please take a minute and give my music a listen!

    MY ALBUM "LOVE'S SWEET SONG" HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A WAMMIE AWARD AS JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR! LISTEN TO SOME SWEET SOUNDS - AVAILABLE @ www.RichardHarrisLive.com

    9 months ago
10 of 555More

Bio:

.. For over 15 years, violinist and composer CHRIS MURPHY has been writing and performing his own style of instrumental music. His choice of material encompasses an incredibly eclectic range of musical styles from Electronica to Indie Rock to World Music. His passion to explore different genres brings to mind other talented and ambitious artists, Ry Cooder, David Bryne, Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, and Bill Frisell. "Prolific" is an adjective that easily describes Chris; he has 10 albums to his credit, including 5 recently released solo albums and has worked with a diverse group of artists including The Dandy Warhols, Sophie B. Hawkins, Victoria Williams, Har Mar Superstar, and members of Tom Waits's band, Iggy Pop's Band, X, Califone, Nels Cline from Wilco and film composer Nathan Larson from Shudder to Think. Chris is about to release a new solo album which features many of these artists.

REVIEWS

Playing all manner of styles (Celtic, bluegrass, rock, etc.) through a guitar amp and over a rhythm section, Murphy makes Juniper a reminder of the great instrumental albums recorded by fiddle giant Mark O'Connor in the 80s and Ashley MacIsaac lately.
Michael Toland, High Bias, May 15 2005

"What keeps the listener's attention throughout is Mr. Murphy's magic violin. I say "magic" because of the number of different and crazy sounds that are emitted from that thing... There aren't many, if any, other violinists out there who do what Chris does, and he does it well. This man is a very accomplished musician, and it clearly shows."
Sam Katz, Jambase, July 12 2005

...a talented violinist whose polished style drips freely from anything he plays, whether bass-fueled trance or bucolic hymnsThe arrangements are sparing expanses of rustling leaves, his playing the temperate, polished breeze.
Jamie Lee, Jambands.com, May 8 2005

3 1/2 stars (out of 5): Juniper sets folk-based fiddle forms against a folk-rock backing that's sort of an Americanized version of the veddy British Fairport Convention. At its bestthe results are an exciting instrumental take on folk-rock OverallJuniper is an entertaining listen.
Stewart Mason, Allmusic.com


"Murphy manages to tie everything together with the somber, forlorn aesthetic purveyed throughout the album...Murphy is skilled enough as a composer and gifted enough as a musician to hold your attention...If the violinist cum troubadour winds up being the hipster pose of 2006, remember that you heard it here first."
-Justin Sheppard, prefixmag.com, 12/15/2005

"You have to be very brave to record an album of solo violin. Chris Murphy does it on Noir and pulls it off... The result is a captivating set of melodic and atmospheric pieces."
Angel Romero, World Music Central, June 25 2005


"Salton Songs sure is one of the more interesting, albeit unusual, albums to have come my way recently. Those who like their music lively and enjoy aspects of world music coupled with modern treatments might want to give it a try."
Dene Bebbington, Wind and Wire/Melliflua

This album from eclectic violinist Chris Murphy takes the violin out of its traditional classical and English folk music settings and tries it in less familiar contexts... this is worth checking out.
Mike Watson, Ambient Music Guide, June 2005

Both a wily, charismatic performer and a fire-breathing virtuoso of the violin, Chris Murphy crams more musical mileage into a short set than most players do in an entire tour. Whether its through noirish atmospheres, joyfully bent traditional folk tunes, or belly-up-to-the-bar blues, Murphy does the devils handiwork on four-strings with a winning presence and a gypsys knack for crossing all musical terrains.
-James Rotondi, Editor-in-Chief, Future Music Magazine

If silver spoons were musical instruments, Chris Murphy would have been born with a violin jutting from his maw. Rooted in his immense training and unhindered imagination, his adventurous style is clear on Salton Songshis fluctuating melodies drift like ethereal vocal partsbolstered by robust rhythmic backing.
Jamie Lee, Jambands.com, May 8 2005


Luminous Reviews:

“I can’t imagine a more original and refreshing album.”
–Kevin Ehlers (The Pelican’s Perch 6/07)

“Electric violinist Murphy said he wanted to do a really ‘L.A’ record, and he totally overachieved.”
–Nels Cline

“Listeners who are fans of blues, rock, and electronica will certainly find tracks that will seduce them on this album.”
–Sari N. Kent (The Celebrity Cafe) (Full Review)

"tuneful and captivating"
- Jonathan Woolf (MusicWeb International)(Full Review)

Member Since:

March 29, 2005

Members:

Chris Murphy - violin,loops, effects, W / D.J. Bonebreak /DRUMS / Hal Cragin /BASS


or buy from these online stores:

Influences:

Miles Davis, Brian Eno, Charles Bukowski, Tom Waits, Charlie Chaplin, Raymond Carver, film noir, Andre Breton, Salvador Dali, Ingmar Bergman, Woody Allen, Jean-luc Ponty, Stephane Grappelli

Sounds Like:

Mogwai, Calexico, Dirty Three, Ry Cooder, Califone, Black Heart Procession, God Speed! You Black Emperor, Tin Hat Trio, Afro-Celt Sound System, Dead Can Dance, hot buttered popcorn, Explosions in the Sky

Record Label:

Kufala Recordings

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