- Róisín Murphy
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Róisín Murphy 
Róisín Murphy in November 2007Background information Birth name Róisín Marie Murphy Born 5 July 1973
Arklow, County Wicklow, IrelandGenres Synthpop, New Wave, Electropop, dance, pop, disco, house, trip hop, experimental, nu jazz Occupations Singer-songwriter, record producer Years active 1995–present Labels Echo, EMI Associated acts Moloko Website roisinmurphy.blogspot.com Róisín Marie Murphy (Irish pronunciation: [roːˈʃʲiːnʲ], English: /roʊˈʃiːn/; born 5 July 1973) is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.
Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her debut solo album Ruby Blue, written and produced with Matthew Herbert, in 2005. Her second solo album Overpowered was released in 2007. Murphy has a contralto vocal range.
Contents
Early life
Murphy was brought up in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland, in a Roman Catholic family. When she was twelve, her family moved to Manchester in the UK.[1] Murphy embraced 1960s fashions from going with her mother, an antique dealer, to car boot sales and charity shops.[2] She concealed her singing voice, not wanting other people to know she "sounded like Elaine Paige" when she herself enjoyed listening to the likes of Sonic Youth and Pixies instead.[1]
After three years of living in Manchester, her parents divorced and moved back to Ireland.[3] Murphy insisted on remaining alone in the UK because she did not think that her mother had the strength to continue taking care of her.[4] Murphy lived with her best friend for a year, until she could receive Housing Benefit and live in a nearby flat.[3] She was bullied at school and befriended a group of "weird boys who wore black" and who listened to the Jesus and Mary Chain.[1] She enrolled in a sixth form college at seventeen and later considered going to art school.[3] She moved to Sheffield[1] where she began going to nightclubs and was inspired by the Vivienne Westwood designs she saw at Trash.[2]
Moloko (1994–2003)
Murphy met Mark Brydon in 1994 at a party, using the chat-up line "Do you like my tight sweater? See how it fits my body."[5] Brydon brought Murphy to his Fon Studios, where he auditioned her voice on tape, and liked Murphy's theatrical delivery. They began dating, and the newly-formed Moloko were signed to Echo Records, releasing their debut album Do You Like My Tight Sweater? the following year.[3] The album combined trip hop and funk with electronic dance music, using a more humorous approach than some of their contemporaries.[5] The follow-up I Am Not a Doctor covered similar musical ground,[5] and a remix by Boris Dlugosch of "Sing It Back" enjoyed international success, and would go on to be featured on more than 110 compilation albums.[1] In place of paying Dlugosch, Murphy helped write "Never Enough",[6] which reached number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart in June 2001.[7]
October 2000 saw the release of Moloko's third album Things to Make and Do, for which they employed more live instrumentation, and more multifaceted arrangements by keyboardist Eddie Stevens.[8] The album reached number three on the UK Albums Chart, and "The Time Is Now" became their most successful British single, reaching number two.[7] Murphy and Brydon broke up but were contractually obligated to deliver further albums. After the 2003 release of Statues, Brydon backed out of much of the album's promotion, so Murphy handled most of it herself.[4] Although no official statement was issued pertaining to Moloko's future, Murphy had this to say in a Q Magazine interview in May 2005 (which was reiterated in the review of Ruby Blue in July 2005):
“ We left it on good terms after a very successful tour. We shook hands, said, "See you later", and haven't spoken since. I don't know what Mark thinks of this record or what he's doing. I don't know if we will or we won't reunite. Myself, I don't not want to. ” Solo career (2004–present)
Murphy began doing solo work while still in Moloko, which included her contributions to the works of other artists including Handsome Boy Modeling School and Boris Dlugosch, for whom she sang on the track "Never Enough," which became a huge club hit, hitting the top three of the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Ruby Blue
Main article: Ruby Blue (album)
Murphy at the Orange Music Experience Festival, Ruby Blue tour, Haifa, 27 June 2005
Murphy recorded her first official solo material in 2004 with producer Matthew Herbert, who had previously done remixes for Moloko. She had wanted to work with him again, commenting that "it felt very natural…because Matthew makes things seem quicker and easier."[9] After the pair had recorded a few songs, Murphy found that she enjoyed working with Herbert, and her label Echo Records let her work freely without any deadline. When she presented them the album, they found it odd and did not hear any songs that would make successful singles. The A&R division suggested that Murphy make some changes to make it more radio-friendly. Murphy refused, stating that she "wanted it to be as pure as possible." The label later came to support her.[10]
Murphy released her debut album Ruby Blue in June 2005. Prior to this, tracks from the album were made available on three limited edition, vinyl-only releases: Sequins #1, Sequins #2 and Sequins #3. The release of the EP's was to precede a London exhibition by artist Simon Henwood, featuring paintings of Murphy in various sequined outfits (some of Henwood's paintings are used as cover images for the record jackets).[11] The titling is also a pun on "sequins" and the related word "sequence". Henwood also directed the two video clips for the album's singles ("If We're in Love" and "Sow into You").
Ruby Blue samples sounds made by everyday objects and actions, including cosmetics, brass mice, dancing and ornaments.[12] It mixes the electronic music for which Moloko was known with jazz and pop styles.[13] Although the album was a commercial failure,[14] it drew mainly positive reviews; Pitchfork Media called it "perfect, the ultimate combination of human warmth and technological know-how."[15]
Overpowered
Main article: Overpowered
Murphy performing in Belgrade, Serbia on 26 August 2007.In May 2006, Murphy announced on her website forum that she had signed with EMI and was working on new material. The first single, "Overpowered", was released on 2 July 2007. "Overpowered" was written by Murphy and Seiji of Bugz in the Attic and mixed by Tom Elmhirst (Amy Winehouse, Röyksopp, Grace Jones). The single is accompanied by a series of remixes from the likes of Seamus Haji, Kris Menace, Hervé and Loose Cannons.[16] The second single "Let Me Know" (a collaboration with Andy Cato), was released in September and the album, named Overpowered, was released soon after.
In September 2007, Murphy received a pre-nomination for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Inter Act, but did not make it to the final list.[17] She performed "Let Me Know" on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 5 October 2007.
Murphy sustained an eye injury on 27 October 2007, while on tour in Russia to promote Overpowered. She was forced to cancel several subsequent dates on the tour.[18]
Third album
Despite well-known troubles at EMI, Murphy said in an interview in August 2008 that she was working on her third studio solo album. She said she was working with the producer from Overpowered, Seiji, to give the third album the "sleepy, synthesized vibe" that Overpowered has.[19]
On 17 July 2009 BBC 6 Music revealed Murphy would release a new single, "Demon Lover", by the end of the summer. The singer describes the song as "a big funky house track. It's a souped-up full on garage tune". About her third album she says: "It is quite gritty, it has a slightly London sound to it, it's a bit more urban and bass-ey than Overpowered". [20] On the same day, a Murphy news blog also revealed that she was pregnant with her first child.[21]
Murphy recently previewed new material at the SEone club in London, performing "Momma's Place" and "Hold up Your Hands". She also said on her official forum that she has written some new songs including "Leviathan (Do It Yourself)", among others with producer Apollo Andel. On 2 November, she premiered her newest single "Orally Fixated" on her MySpace page. The song was released 16 November. The Guardian offered a free download of the song for 48 hours beginning on 12 November.
In a January 2010 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murphy said, "First of all, I haven't recorded a new album as such. I've recorded a lot of songs, but I haven't planned beyond just putting the songs out there and letting them have their own life, and see how the music lives on its own, without videos, without a big promotion. It's more just about getting songs out there and letting them have their own life."
On 8 March 2010, DJ/production duo Crookers released their new album Tons of Friends which features Murphy on the tracks "Royal T" and "Hold Up Your Hand".[22]
On 6 April 2010 David Byrne and Fatboy Slim released their project "Here Lies Love", which features Murphy on the track "Don't You Agree?" [23]
Murphy has collaborated with Dutch DJ Mason on the track "Boadicea". It has been released in the UK and the US as a single on 21 March 2011. In 2011, she duets with Tony Christie in his new album Now's The Time. Always in 2011 she has revealed to XOXO magazine that she has been working on new music and is ready to release an album sometime in the near future. She also added that her new music is coming from 'a deeper place' than her last album Overpowered.
Personal life
Róisin is now in a relationship with her artist boyfriend Simon Henwood. On 15 December 2009, Murphy gave birth to her first child, a baby girl who she named Clodagh Henwood. Murphy and Simon Henwood are reportedly "thrilled" with the new addition to their budding family, who weighed at 8 lb 4oz.[24]
Discography
For a complete list of releases, see Róisín Murphy discography.Studio albums
- 2005: Ruby Blue
- 2007: Overpowered
References
- ^ a b c d e Ramaswamy, Chitra; "Murphy's Law" Scotland on Sunday, 7 October 2007 (Retrieved: 22 July 2007)
- ^ a b West, Naomi; "Retail therapy: Fashion Rocks" Telegraph.co.uk, 17 October 2005 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ a b c d Sturges, Fiona; "Roisin Murphy: Dressed to kill" independent.co.uk, 17 June 2005 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ a b Sullivan, Caroline; "Her time is now" guardian.co.uk, 27 May 2005 (Retrieved 22 July 2009)
- ^ a b c Phares, Heather; "Moloko > Biography", AllMusic.com (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ Smyth, David; "A dose of his own medicine" Telegraph.co.uk, 26 May 2001 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ a b "UK Top 40 Hit Database" EveryHit.com (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ "Moloko — Catalogue" PopMatters.com, 27 July 2006 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ Bankole, Ade. "Beautifully Flawed". Straight No Chaser. February 2005. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
- ^ Sturges, Fiona. "Roisin Murphy: Dressed to kill". The Independent. 17 June 2005.
- ^ "Roisin Murphy Video". SimonHenwood.com. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ "Why the Moloko singer decided to go solo". Woman's Hour. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
- ^ Tartan, Suzannah. "Diva sings hot and cold on solo debut". The Japan Times. 29 May 2005. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ "Chart Log UK: 1994–2006: M – My Vitriol". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 20 November 2008.
- ^ Richardson, Mark. "Róisín Murphy: Ruby Blue". Pitchfork Media. 8 July 2005. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ "Moloko singer returns with electronic album" Side-Line.com, 23 July 2007 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ "Róisín Murphy theater / website". Design Scene. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ MacInnes, Paul; "Roisin Murphy recovering after eye-socket injury" Guardian.co.uk, 29 October 2007 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ Rogers, Georgie; "Girls' EMI muddle" BBC.co.uk (BBC6 Music), 18 August 2008 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ Jones, Damian; "Roisin's charity cover" BBC.co.uk (BBC6 Music), 16 July 2009 (Retrieved: 22 July 2009)
- ^ Hopeless Optimist, A; "Baby Murphy?" RoisinMurphy.blogspot.com, 16 July 2009
- ^ http://www.crookers.net/blog/news/tons-of-friends-released/
- ^ http://www.davidbyrne.com/here_lies_love/index.php
- ^ http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/435486/roisin-murphy-gives-birth-to-a-baby-girl.html
External links
Singles "If We're in Love" · "Sow into You" · "Overpowered" · "Let Me Know" · "You Know Me Better" · "Movie Star / Slave to Love" · "Orally Fixated" · "Momma's Place"EPs "Sequins #1" · "Sequins #2" · "Sequins #3"Live albums Related articles Categories:- 1973 births
- Electronic musicians
- English-language singers
- Irish dance musicians
- Irish female singers
- Irish pop singers
- Irish record producers
- Irish singer-songwriters
- Living people
- Nu-disco musicians
- People from Arklow
- Trip hop musicians
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