“L-O-R-E-N, M-U-Double R-E-Doubl L: That’s how you spell, Loren Murrell.” is a rhyme we took away from the first time we met multi-instrumental musician Loren Murrell, roughly three years ago at the Jstreet Radio studio in Round Lake, IL. At the time Murrell had recently uprooted himself from his life in Michigan, having sold almost all his belongings (save for his guitar) and headed out to explore the wide open spaces of the United States. In the short span of a few hours Murrell impressed the Jstreet Radio staff with his bohemian logic, free spirit, and avant garde folksiness, and now a few years later he’s doing the same to music fans of the south where he’s taken up residence in the Big Easy. Loren’s sound is one that’s a little hard to put your finger on- inspired by everyone from Freddy Mercury to Elliott Smith, good beer and cheap wine alike, this singer/songwriter has a distinct set of pipes that croons out folksy ballads laced in blues and pop at different junctures. While as of late he’s been spending most of his time in NOLA, Murrell does have plans to tour the Midwest and return to his native North this May. Be sure to keep tabs on this musician and see a show or two as the tour takes place- we promise you won’t be disappointed.
Loren and Reviewsic’s Sam Gordon had a reunion of sorts as the New Orleans resident was kind enough to interview with her for the second time in their careers. Read their talk about Murrell’smusical plans, creative direction, and “dream tour- among other things.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a recap of what you have been up to musically?
Loren Murrell: Lately I’ve been writing my face off down in New Orleans with a new muse. I’m preparing for heading into the studio this spring to release a new album for my May Midwest tour up north so I’ve been demoing and fine-tuning arrangements for another acoustic album. I’ve had a lot of pressure from friends in NOLA to put together a full band but it’s incredibly difficult to do here considering everyone and their mother is involved in twelve thousand different regular gigging groups. So I’ve taken it back to the pickles and am concentrating again on my solo act
Reviewsic: Top three favorite cities/venues to play?
Loren Murrell: New Orleans, duh.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands/artists, past or present, who would they be and why?
Loren Murrell: I’m really digging those Swedish sisters First Aid Kit right now, they have voices of angels! It would be rad to tour also with my buddy Chase Pagan from AR, he’s been blowing my mind with falsettos and vibratos for years now. Lastly I’ve been on a Bon Iver kick so definitely definitely.
Reviewsic: Give us some background on the current songs you include on your set lists and the releases you have. Is there a specific creative direction you’re aiming towards with them?
Loren Murrell: As far as creative direction goes for these new songs I’m angling more in a pop folk direction. Lullabies and ballads abound! I’m drawing from recent happenings here in NOLA with an observational and somewhat analytical eye, still telling a story but I’m seeing a lot of it I’ve been focusing on my family.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Loren Murrell: My top three musical influences are my father, this beautiful city New Orleans, and this present life.
Reviewsic: Give us a little history behind Loren Murrell as a musician
Loren Murrell: I started playing piano as a kid and went through the horns and arranging classical romantic pieces, over to hip-hop surprisingly and only within the past few years have I picked up singing and playing guitar. My friend Adrienne Breaux did a cute little documentary on me up on YouTube called “A Ramblin’ Man” that sums things up fairly well I do believe.
Reviewsic: What are your plans for your music in the next year? Beyond that?
Loren Murrell: As I said I’m planning on touring up to the Midwest in the Spring, but as far as releases go I’d like to hammer out at least three albums this year. I’m also tossing around that full band idea in my head as a serious thing but I think that’s going to have to wait until the summer but I’m incredibly excited about doing something a little more high energy.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play already, but wish you did?
Loren Murrell: I always had a knack to pick any instrument up and be able to play it but certainly my favorite instrument I’ve never toyed around with too much is the violin family of instruments. I wish I could rock the cello out like nobody’s business, heh.
Reviewsic: What other projects have you been a part of?
Loren Murrell: I’m always projecting here or there with musicians in the city. I sing with Silent Cinema on occasion and every Sunday I do a singer/songwriter showcase with Micah McKee and Luke Hudleston of Silent Cinema as well as Ms. Peg Roussel, another talented and beautiful New Orleans singer.
Reviewsic: What three words would you use to describe your music to someone who has never heard it?
Loren Murrell: Dramatic folky ballads!
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Loren Murrell: I think I was fourteen with my older brother on 311’s Soundsystem tour, so that would’ve been Incubus haha.
Reviewsic: If you could team up with anyone in the music industry, who would it be and why?
Loren Murrell: Again I believe that would be Mr. Chase Pagan from Arkansas. He’s super talented and a wonderful songwriter and arranger.
Tags: Artist Profile, Interview, Upcoming Shows, Video
August 11, 2010 at 6:08 am |
When I was a student at Western Kentucky University, I met Loren. Just wanted to go to the DUC, next thing I know he’s stopped me to listen to his CD. He was so passionate about his own music, I did. Being a college studen I was short on cash, but had plenty of meal plans, so we traded. I got him a footlong Subway sandwich, took him to our campus radio station so he could plug him self, and I got a CD. After the station adventure, we just sat and talked, and colored CD covers for his “Good Deeds Done in the Favor of Good Men” 3 years later it’s one of my favorites. I’m listenting to it now actually
Loren if you read this, congrats man! I hope you come close enough to Cincinnati for me to see you.