Interview: Getting to Know Gordy Murphy
Boston multi-instrumentalist and one-man-band Gordy Murphy returns with his latest single, ‘Wash’, a contemplative yet uplifting indie-rock track that reflects on memory, identity, and the quiet fight against life’s monotony. In this interview, we get to know the artist a little better.
1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.
My name is Gordy Murphy and I’m a musician from Fairfield, Connecticut. I started playing drums when I was about 10 years old, played a bit of trumpet in band while in school, but it wasn’t until high school I started writing songs on guitar. I had an excellent teacher, and because I already knew how to play drums it made songwriting a bit easier from a compositional standpoint. There was a ton of time between then and writing my first record, Memory’s Edge, so the short explanation is that I couldn’t escape the insane desire to write music full-time…I just couldn’t do the non-artist life anymore.
2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
I usually say I write alternative/indie rock music. And I think most of my music can be summed up that way, but sometimes I want to push the boundaries into a more psychedelic territory. So I would also include the word vivid in my description.
3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?
Currently, I am putting the finishing touches on my second record, but also working on songs for a third. I think if you are feeling the artistic spirit, you should always foster it! But yes these new songs are keeping me very busy…I think the writing process- more than performing or promoting- is my favorite “mode” to be in.
4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?
The anticipation of releasing my new record is extremely exciting, so much so I will lose sleep over it. But when that day comes and goes, the ongoing excitement is being in the writing mindset…discovering new sounds and structures is incredibly rewarding and honestly I could never give that up. It’s like a constant “runners high.”
5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.
The work has been difficult. But like all tough things, the juice is always worth the squeeze. I think what gets overlooked are all the hours spent not recording, but workshopping. As an artist, you get in your own head about what it means to be productive, and it’s easy to conclude that “no song equals unproductive.” But that’s very untrue I’ve learned. If the melody doesn’t come until that 11th hour of trying, those 11 hours were still a success. So to make it a reality, most of it comes down to good old fashioned grinding.
6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?
Nothing has had more of an impact on my mental health than music…and I know I’m not alone in thinking that. A lot of the time I cannot find the words to cope with something, whether it was a big event like a death, or just general anxiety…and there isn’t a guidebook for that in life. When you play honest music, you suddenly feel like you’ve found the right words. In this way, music has helped me tremendously understand things in my everyday life even in silence, and that’s a pretty incredible feeling to experience.
7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?
When considering the beautiful emotional aspect of music mentioned above, this can also be difficult to understand when you look at the music industry as a whole. It’s disheartening to think that somebody has given themselves entirely to their music, but might never be heard…in contrast, music that was synthesized by computers, or people who approach writing not as artists, seem to get most of the traction. This can be very defeating. Sure, artists don’t create music to be famous first…but it feels like listeners have other plans.
8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?
It’s a difficult time to be measured by likes and follows…I’m far more traditional in that regard, so I really dislike promoting on social media and such. It feels very inorganic, although those platforms will totally say the opposite. The platforms will also say that the artist is in complete control of their promotion…but I don’t want to be in control of my promoting…I want to write music. All of a sudden, we have to be musicians and marketing directors, influencers, strategists, developers, you name it…So yes, especially as someone who’s more introverted than average, social media is difficult, but I will find a way forward.
9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?
Promoting is mostly a drag, but it can be fun to brainstorm ideas for posts, videos, photos, or anything like that. When you find likeminded people who leave comments, that can be rewarding. Since my music is most important to me, any feedback related to promotion for a song is particularly special. I always love hearing from people around the world!
10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?
To listeners, I’d love to have them along for the ride as much as possible! Sure, following on social platforms is nice, but I’m always open to having conversations not just about my music, but also their own. If you’re a fellow musician and you want to talk about life as one, I’d to hear from you!
11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?
Outside of music, I love to watch baseball, play tennis, and collect baseball cards and watches. Exercise is great as well, but so is the bar.
12. Where can people find you?
People can find me on Spotify, Apple Music, or any other music streaming service! You can also check out my Instagram (which I will try and be better at using), and my YouTube page. Thanks for having me and I hope you have a great day!
