Todd Macalpine catch’s up with Murray Kyle ahead of his very special one off show at the Arthouse in Cairns on Saturday June the 7th.
Hailing from the tiny town of Uki in Northern NSW, Murray Kyle has been making waves on both the local and international roots scene. Murray is also known for his vocals in the electronic fusion group Mystic Beats and has shared stages with the likes of Saritah, Oka, Trevor Hall, and Loren. Murray has played the stages of major Australian festivals including Peats Ridge, Earth Frequency, Woodford Folk Festival, Island Vibe, Rainbow Serpent and Exodus, as well as many international events over the course of his 15 years in the music industry. Murray is no stranger to FNQ having played Kuranda Roots and Eclipse 2012 festivals in the past.
A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Murray’s songwriting gained inspiration and diversity as he travelled the world and added guitar, yidaki, ngoni, woodwinds and percussion to his trained piano skills.
His fourth album was released on 12/12/12, entitled Mountain Song. Written, recorded and produced in the creative epicenter of Northern NSW, this album blends a mystical shamanic sound with devotional soul, traditional chanting, and positive roots vibes. Mastered by the renowned Michael Worthington, Mountain Song takes the listener on a journey into the heart, with soaring vocals and free flowing lyrics to enliven these turbulent times. It is the coming of age of Murray Kyle, igniting his flame within the Australian music industry.
Murray reflected on the influence his surroundings had on the production of his new album, Mountain Song. “Recording in Uki dropped me into the energy of the valleys and Mountains of Northern NSW, and allowed me to move with tracking on the album when the vibe was there, and not be dependent on tight studio schedules. “
When asked about the different exotic instrumentation he has used on his recordings, Murray was quick to reply. “The Ngoni is a West African harp, similar to the Kora. My Ngoni is a Kamale Ngoni and I made it myself under the guidance of a friend. It has 14 strings. Other instruments on my last album, entitled Mountain Song, include kalimba, hammer dulcimer, and ocarina.”
Murray’s music has a tangible world music vibe to it, it seems a perfect fit for the world music festival scene. He expanded on this by saying “I have played festivals in Bali, California, Oregon, and the UK through the years, and am always looking for opportunities to expand my music to wider audiences. These days, us independent musicians need to wear a lot of hats, and finding the dedication to expand my bookings overseas can take some focus for sure. “
Murray assures Cairn’s audiences they can expect “A night of soul-filled and conscious all original tunes, with a splash of groove coming straight from the heart. “
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Sat 7th June
Arthouse – 240 Scott St (via McCoombe St)
Tix: $12 at the door