David Murphy takes the pedal steel guitar outside its traditional roots with frequent ventures into a range of genres, spanning Americana and folk to ambient, experimental music and film soundtracks and is best known for his work with artists such as The Lost Brothers, John Blek, Arborist, The Delines, Willy Vlautin, M.Ward and Jolie Holland amongst others.
His critically acclaimed debut album ‘Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar’ (Rollercoaster Records) featured on many Album of The Year shortlists in 2024 and successfully took the instrument from the well-worn roads of the dusty American south to a new place in contemporary Irish music. Here, Murphy recast ancient Irish harp tunes and historic airs into the 21st century with the swelling, expressive and mournful sounds of the pedal steel guitar alongside cello, violin, piano, harp and lush electronic textures and synths. This continued Murphy’s quest to expand the vocabulary of the instrument, taking it deeper into a world much closer to home and, for the very first time, presented it in a modern Irish framework.
A busy year touring with his band Ether Ensemble has seen them presenting this music on stages from Kilkenny Arts Festival to Electric Picnic, Another Love Story and Quiet Lights Festival to Cork Opera House, Galway and Doolin Folk Festivals and Glasgow’s Celtic Connections amongst others as well as television performances on RTE’s Other Voices and TG4’s Fleadh Cheoil.
Producing and performing on Pedal Steel Guitar, Synths and Electronics along with Niamh Dalton (Violin), Laura McFadden (Cello), Ultan Lavery (Piano) and Michael Riordan (Double Bass), Murphy and his band share their cinematic interpretation of the traditional Irish tune ‘The March of The King of Laois’. Led by the cosmic sounds of the pedal steel guitar, it showcases their singular blend of modern-classical and contemporary Irish music featuring exotic strings, deft piano textures and pulsing electronics and synths.
https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-march-of-the-king-of-laois
‘The March of The King of Laois’ is out Friday 4th April 2024 on all streaming platforms.
David explains: “Producing the album Cuimhne Ghlinn was for me a thrilling dive into Irish music with pedal steel guitar, aided by a masterful group of collaborators in the studio. I felt though I was still only scratching the surface of what is possible with the instrument within our traditional repertoire. Following a busy year of live performances, I’ve been excited to get this group of musicians together in the studio to dig further, exploring other forms of traditional Irish music with pedal steel guitar. This well-known piping tune has origins dating back through the mists of time in 16th century Ireland, with themes sadly still familiar in the 21st century. Previously recorded by The Chieftains and Sean O’Riada amongst others, it was composed in honour of the O’Moore clan who led Ireland during the Irish Confederate Wars, fighting against oppression imposed upon the Gaelic people and of the confiscation of lands during the colonisation and plantation of English settlers.”
Upcoming Live Shows:
11 Apr :: Bello Bar, Dublin (with Ether Ensemble)
22 May :: Love Is A Stranger, Sligo (Solo)
26 Jun :: Plugd Records, Cork (Duo w/Niamh Dalton)
28 Jun :: Night & Day, Roscommon (Solo)
25 Jul :: Galway International Arts Festival (Solo)
Tickets and more information at https://www.davidmurphymusic.com/live-shows
“an incredibly confident debut album. Balanced against its elegance and the dreamlike sound of his pedal steel is a quietly adventurous spirit that is beautifully judged and unpretentious – an extraordinarily great album.” KLOF MAGAZINE
“Irish traditional rendered ghostly by washes of pedal steel and almost subliminal piano… widescreen and structured, like an early Celtic Ólafur Arnalds… 8/10” UNCUT
“…a sonic experiment of narcotic enchantment… blossoming with old world charm in luminous modernity.” ***** SONGLINES – ALBUM OF THE MONTH