WORLD 
Pop-laced singer-songwriter Gavin Murphy may be better known in his homeland of Ireland, but it’s high time folks in North America paid attention. Let’s start with our own readers, shall we? Not long ago, he released the single‘The Sound of Heartbreak’, but today we are pleased to premiere Murphy’s new single – ‘Alive’. If the title didn’t already give the mood away ahead of the first listen, you may realize the value of such a positive song in these difficult times for various societies, where the pandemic and related lockdown have sent many people over the edge and well into depression.
Animated and invigorating – both in terms of composition and performance – Gavin Murphy manages to pull off several solid offerings that harken back to a more innocent age and are deserving of comparisons to the likes of Aztec Camera, Feargal Sharkey, China Crisis and The Railway Children.
Both of Murphy’s singles involved renowned producer Ger McDonnell (The Cure, U2, Van Morrison, Martha Wainwright, Shane McGowan, Sinead O’Connor). While ‘Alive’ was mastered by Stephen Ceresia at Stonyfield Mastering, ‘The Sound of Heartbreak’ was mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road, London. Robbie Malone (David Gray) plays bass, while Paul Byrne is on drums and Saoirse Kavanagh on backing vocals.
“My new single ‘Alive’ is about embracing the positives in life. To witness the sunrise at dawn is a beautiful heartwarming experience. Appreciating the simple pleasures in life and reflecting upon good memories, can help us through difficult times. On the other hand, ‘The Sound of Heartbreak’ is a rite of passage that nobody escapes. You suffer from it, you inflict it – don’t kid yourself otherwise. It will keep happening until you learn from it and finally make peace with the scars,” says Gavin Murphy.
Hailing from Dublin’s northside, Gavin Murphy now resides in Sligo on Ireland’s north-west coast. Beginning with his debut self-recorded and self-produced album ‘45 RPM (Replay Past Memories)’, Murphy has been honing his sound and harvesting melodic guitar-based Indie pop-rock goodness, characterized by bittersweet lyrics and catchy melodies. Inspired by feelings rooted in nostalgia and moving melodies, Murphy cites Crowded House as a strong influence.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to self release my own music and to hear the songs being played on the radio and receiving such positive feedback,” says Gavin Murphy.
“As a self employed musician it’s been a real struggle throughout the restrictions being unable to play live music, with musicians’ careers having come to a stand still. To help me get through these uncertain times, I’ve tried to focus on the most important things in life.”
‘Alive’ and ‘The Sound of Heartbreak’ are out now, available across streaming platforms and online stores, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.
CREDITS
Gavin Murphy – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Robbie Malone (David Gray) – Bass
Paul Byrne – Drums
Saoirse Kavanagh – Backing Vocals
Produced by Gavin Murphy and Ger McDonnell
Mixed by Ger McDonnell
‘The Sound of Heartbreak’ mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road, London
‘Alive’ mastered by Stephenm Ceresia at Stonyfield Mastering, USA
Photography by John Wilde
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