I've lived in 5 states in the past 10 years. If you count how many times I've packed up my stuff and moved to a new apartment/house it totals up to at least 12 addresses. The highway and I have a special relationship.
If you count all of my releases since 2002 this album is my 6th. I, however, do not count the first 3 of them. They were more like experiments and helped me to discover myself....or my sound...or at least a reasonable haircut. I think that comes out to about 50-60 recorded songs.
The Great Unknown is the album that I've worked the hardest on. Many late night recording sessions took place with, I'm sure, many pissed off neighbors. This album was recorded in closets in Savannah and Chicago. Believe it or not when E. and I search for apartments one thing that each place has to have is: a giant closet. No I'm not talking about a "MTV Cribs" closet, but one big enough for me to get in it with my guitar. In Savannah I am kept company in the closet by a very friendly and quiet water heater. Also, there are plastic shelves that I installed in this closet with ZERO studs behind the drywall to hold them up. All of my shit has come tumbling down once or twice, but luckily not on my head. This is where I make my music. Pimping isn't easy.
These last two album "Headlight Sonata" and "The Great Unknown" are my road trip albums. I want people to take from them whatever meaning they want. In the next few weeks though, I'll be explaining where some of the ideas came from. I hope you enjoy them. There will be more stories and photos to come!!
sincerelyiris.com
sincerelyris.bandcamp.com
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Great Unknown
New stuff on the horizon!!! My new album "The Great Unknown" is coming out very very soon. I just ordered the cd's a few days ago. Here is a nice review from Connect Savannah Magazine. Just click here to view it:
Connect Article
Here is a pic of the album cover:
Connect Article
Here is a pic of the album cover:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Lay Me Down
Here is a new song that I'm working on. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. I'm still on the fence as to whether it should stay a very simple song, like now, or whether I should go crazy with strings or screaming guitars/tubas. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Chi Music Review
Hey there. Here is a review from http://chimusicreview.com I hope you like it. If you'd like to buy my album go here: www.cdbaby.com/sincerelyiris
Acoustic Singer/Songwriter Todd Murray is special. Not the “I eat paste” special - quite the opposite actually - his is the first local, acoustic music I’ve heard that melds folk and blues stylings successfully. It’s like a fried Twinkie - it really shouldn’t work together, but it does - and it is tasty. This man knows his way around an acoustic guitar, whether playing lead or rhythm he does so tastefully and in full control. Todd knows each songs destiny and puts his best foot forward presenting them on his recently recorded effort, Headlight Sonata. Although some might groan at the thought of some ass clown playing an acoustic guitar around a campfire (again, sigh) – Todd’s music moves, dynamically through different strum patterns, hard and soft exchanges, and some KT Tunstall-like chicka chicka’s to infuse what is normally left for the coffee house set with a new and unique sounding vibe. When you think of blues/folk you have to conjure bits and pieces of rock and roll history; ie, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and the Who - these bands knew how to steal successfully. They took music; new to the mainstream audience, and put into words and melodies that we could all understand. It takes a special ear and a yearning for what is inside one’s soul to connect with the blues and it takes a wordsmith with an observant mind to put honesty and articulation on top of these attributes. Now I’m not saying that Toddy Murray is the next Jimmy Page – actually far from it – but what I am saying is that Sincerely, Iris has found a way to create music that bites on these predecessors without sounding whiney or too over the top (see Greg Reed) – or being too steeped in traditional acoustic guitar playing. His album is missing drums – and that can make or break my comparisons really easily – but for what it is, it accomplishes everything the music is going for. He’s not afraid to get a little experimental – check out the bridge on “Diggin” – almost sounds like a guest spot from Andrew Bird. Also be sure to listen to the haunting, minor key song, “Don’t Let the Man Get You Down” – the production value here really surprised me, what sounded like a crappily recorded piano eventually attached to my mind like a Zebra Mussel and in the end had me saying ‘wow, that actually fit really good.’ All in all, with Sincerely, Iris, Todd Murray has tapped into a nice niche, the only question is, can he push it further? Is he strictly an acoustic guitar guy, or is this album simply an introduction to a stronger more powerful artist, backed by a real band and plugged in? I’m hoping for the latter.
Acoustic Singer/Songwriter Todd Murray is special. Not the “I eat paste” special - quite the opposite actually - his is the first local, acoustic music I’ve heard that melds folk and blues stylings successfully. It’s like a fried Twinkie - it really shouldn’t work together, but it does - and it is tasty. This man knows his way around an acoustic guitar, whether playing lead or rhythm he does so tastefully and in full control. Todd knows each songs destiny and puts his best foot forward presenting them on his recently recorded effort, Headlight Sonata. Although some might groan at the thought of some ass clown playing an acoustic guitar around a campfire (again, sigh) – Todd’s music moves, dynamically through different strum patterns, hard and soft exchanges, and some KT Tunstall-like chicka chicka’s to infuse what is normally left for the coffee house set with a new and unique sounding vibe. When you think of blues/folk you have to conjure bits and pieces of rock and roll history; ie, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and the Who - these bands knew how to steal successfully. They took music; new to the mainstream audience, and put into words and melodies that we could all understand. It takes a special ear and a yearning for what is inside one’s soul to connect with the blues and it takes a wordsmith with an observant mind to put honesty and articulation on top of these attributes. Now I’m not saying that Toddy Murray is the next Jimmy Page – actually far from it – but what I am saying is that Sincerely, Iris has found a way to create music that bites on these predecessors without sounding whiney or too over the top (see Greg Reed) – or being too steeped in traditional acoustic guitar playing. His album is missing drums – and that can make or break my comparisons really easily – but for what it is, it accomplishes everything the music is going for. He’s not afraid to get a little experimental – check out the bridge on “Diggin” – almost sounds like a guest spot from Andrew Bird. Also be sure to listen to the haunting, minor key song, “Don’t Let the Man Get You Down” – the production value here really surprised me, what sounded like a crappily recorded piano eventually attached to my mind like a Zebra Mussel and in the end had me saying ‘wow, that actually fit really good.’ All in all, with Sincerely, Iris, Todd Murray has tapped into a nice niche, the only question is, can he push it further? Is he strictly an acoustic guitar guy, or is this album simply an introduction to a stronger more powerful artist, backed by a real band and plugged in? I’m hoping for the latter.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
New Video for Cemetery Blues
Hey everyone here is my newest video. Jon Pernisek and I goofed around for a couple hours yesterday and came up with some neato stuff. Let me know what you think.
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