Biography
Growing up in Ireland in a family steeped in musical tradition, Greg’s musical roots were established at an early age. Now living in England, his passion and ability for songwriting have continued unabated. His output has been prolific, having written hundreds of songs.
Greg enjoyed critical success with his first album, Tymes Ten, produced by John Kettle, and his material has been released by some of the world’s most respected indiepop labels, including Bus Stop, Shelf Life, Elefant and Firestation. But Greg’s sound is far more than just indiepop and he has carved out a niche of his own. Each of his songs has a beautifully crafted identity, lyrically and musically, and together they form his unique and impossible-to-pigeonhole repertoire.
Greg’s influences include Teenage Fanclub, 10,000 Maniacs, The Smiths, Bruce Springsteen, Simon and Garfunkel, Brian Wilson and Van Morrison, and his music has been likened to Belle and Sebastian, Kings of Convenience, Sparklehorse and Mercury Rev, with shades of Nick Drake, Neil Young and Love.
- “After the second listen, the songs on Tymes Ten seem so familiar, you'll swear this album has been in your collection for ages.” Neighbourhoodies Music.
- “He has created his own irresistible, distinct style – tight, harmonised songs with beautiful melodies and quirky instrumentation.” Parasol Records.
- " His is a whispered voice of fluttering lullabies and lo-fi atmospherics. These tender urban folk tales, talk of loss and vulnerability, from the spooked bossa nova beat of "Go honey" to "No Pretending", the unsettling soundtrack to Mrs Robinson's secret affair. His carefully constructed bedroom symphonies are built up using layers of sound stop/start time signatures and quirky instrumentation, each shot through with a pop sensibility and an ear for melody that shines. Think Sparklehorse, Simon & Garfunkel, Grandaddy, Neil Young, Mercury Rev, The Red House Painters...think…Greg Murray." Wayne Denfy
- “Beautiful melancholy folk-pop. I love especially the heartbreaking title track, so much so with it's slow but irresistible vocals and the sparse but heartbeating rhythm. It' s really one of the best tracks I have ever heard. I hope you release more of this kind of music - as soon as possible.” Michael Pfeiffer
- "Greg Murray is to become a household name, and I can't stress this enough, for his songs are marvelously melancholy but at the same time optimistic and sometimes even up-beat. Buy this record quick, since I assume that they will be fast out of print." David Serra
- “A velvet voice meets the spleen of a woody orchestration Greg Murray, fed at the 60’s pop-folk songwriting, releases some extremely sweet ballads with a shade of a melancholic mood a touch of delicacy in a world of brutes.” Dave Heaton
- "Go Honey by Northern Ireland singer-songwriter and jangle-popster Greg Murray must be one of the most overlooked retro-pop gems ever put on wax. Released as part of a 4-track 7" EP on Elefant Records in 2002, it is so timeless and catchy in all its 60s sounding, lofi glory, it really puzzles me that it has managed to remain in obscurity. In fact, Elefant Records still has physical copies for sale at their website and the music is also available for download through iTunes. Murray has also released records on Shelflife and Bus Stop, amongst them an album titled Tymes Ten. Still, Go Honey from the Elefant EP rates as his most magic moment on record, so far - at least in my humble opinion." You Tube review.
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“Albums like this are indeed a rarity and this one is about as enjoyable as that sort get.” Indiepop Spin Zone.
What Do You Need To Know About Greg Murray?
Music is a living, breathing organism. If its’ seeds are tended well, it will burst into flourishing life. Greg is a gardener of sounds and stories. Every person in this world has an amazing story to tell and a song to sing. Greg Murray finds a way of telling each one with love, forgiveness and a bit of wry humour. Wistful tales, like anecdotes in sepia, paint pictures of the people he has known, the chance encounters, and his life and times here in this world. Moments that are rich and meaningful, harmonies that are of the earth and stars. Little moments from everyone's lives, personal and real, filled with the beauty and sadness of our human clay. Come into the garden, and be a part of the landscape that he has created. The stories we all share. The harmony and melody that grows within each and every one of us. Greg Murray hears the song of the everyman, and the everyman in him self. His music blooms with a deeply human sound.
The long-awaited follow-up to Tymes Ten is called Tinker Part 1...45 Songs About Love and sees Greg in stunning form, with 45 new songs ranging in style from uplifting and anthemic to melancholic and introspective, all with Greg’s inimitable feel and cleverly woven lyrics. Along with Greg’s regular highly talented musical collaborators, the album features Mellotron contributions from the late keyboard legend Woolly Wolstenholme of Barclay James Harvest.
