5 Songs I Love w/ Gordy Murphy

Following the release of his latest single 'Summer in Harlem', Flex caught up with US alternative rock artist Gordy Murphy to find out what influences his immersive songwriting style. If you enjoy Murphy's picks, be sure to check out 'Summer in Harlem' at the end of the article.

1. Mojo Pin - Jeff Buckley

This is starting off as strong as I can…my favorite song, from my favorite record, from my favorite artist. I love how Jeff never rushes. He respects that there’s a mood needed to be met and cannot continue until the haunting vocal runs, and twin reverb Fender tones ensnare absolutely everyone. From a mood setting perspective, it’s captivating; but from a songwriting perspective, it’s the most inspirational tool he uses. Instead of building a song to convey emotion, Jeff Buckley uses emotion to build a song, often without traditional form or structure.  In other words, this song breaks the rules, and it feels more human this way.

2. Purple - Wunderhorse

Across the pond (at least for me), Wunderhorse is making quite a splash in the alt/rock scene. What I love most about this tune is the title. That sounds crazy, but this band has the most VIVID sound of anyone out there. I love the arrangement, I love the dynamics, I love how the lead singer adds overdrive to his vocals when needed…but most of all, I love the vividness.  As somebody who sees the connection between music and color, I really respect that this band executes it so well. The title of this song is just a reminder to me to be honest and surreal with my own songwriting.

3. Dodge The Dodo - Esbjorn Svensson Trio

I was in High School when I discovered this group, which probably makes them the longest listened-to band for me. That’s a bold statement for any listener…but why? They’re an amazing blend of modal jazz and Radiohead, an unusual combination of sounds but it works. Dodge The Dodo is a perfect representation of their sound, with beautiful, contemplative piano runs complex like Bill Evans, and assertive rhythm and bass lines that drive the tune forward, enticing the ears of modern listeners. It’s a rollercoaster this song. But the reason why I always come back to this song (and the rest of their catalogue for that matter) is because it’s extremely cerebral. It’s like watching a show you love over and over again just to find new jokes or moments you hadn’t seen before. It’s the gift that keeps giving. Lastly, this song reveals everything that’s wrong with modern pop music…nothing is cerebral.

4. Super Sex - Morphine

Songwriting is a lonely endeavor…I find that the most lonely moments are when you’ve pioneered through a song just to find yourself at a dead end, like it’s dark outside and your directions back home have disappeared. I love this song because it mainlines the question of, “what am I trying to say?” Things don’t need to be complicated. In fact, we’re blessed in the rock/alternative world to use attitude as our guiding light…so when the bass holds down the intro and verse with such a simple, fat line…and the drums, in the pocket, with a deep, perfectly-tuned snare, and then the baritone and alto saxes paint over that…It’s intense…It’s simple…It’s to the point. This song is perfect for that reason, and we never demand more than what it gives. This was always one of my go-to songs to play at my local bar in New Orleans when I lived there. It’s refreshing to boil things down to the bare necessities and I will always be inspired by this song for those reasons.

5. Baby, Please Don’t Go - Lightnin’ Hopkins

Speaking of New Orleans and boiling things down, imagine if Lightnin’ Hopkins were alive today and any guitarist from any band said, “want to see my rig?” Lightnin’ would laugh in his face, as he should. Boby, Please Don’t Go is a beautiful Delta Blues song that’s haunting as much as it’s inviting…simple as much as it’s complex…every bit of these adjectives with just a man and his acoustic guitar. I think these days we can “bail ourselves out” of practicing, or putting our butts in the chair and learning our craft til our hands bleed, for example, with plugins, pedals, or any sort of modern digital technology. But back to my main question…what would he say if you showed him your “rig?” Obviously no one can know, but it makes you realize that the progression of your pure, raw talent is the most important thing for your life as a musician. “Play what you got,” comes to mind…don’t rely on technology so much…the purity of this song is what makes me mesmerized by him and his approach. It’s a high bar, but it’s one worth living by.

Listen to Gordy Murphy 'Summer in Harlem'