01Profile
A Martha Skye Murphy Photo
Martha Skye Murphy
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Martha Skye Murphy, London.
Describe your style in three words?
Wim Wenders’ Films
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Daniel Johnson at the Hollywood Bowl, L.A. I didn’t realise what I was going to see at the time, I didn’t know who he was. Instantly I was so completely enamoured by his songs, by him, his humble truth, his flamboyant unexpectedness. The memory still bewitches me. That I was in his presence fills me with joyous awe.
If you could be on the line up with any two musicians in history?
Delia Derbyshire and Tom Waits.
Delia Derbyshire’s contribution to experimental music is monumental yet, she remains a sort of unsung pioneer of electronic music. I like the idea that she has seeped into so many people’s childhoods with her original 1963 theme tune for Doctor Who.
Tom Waits’ theatricality is spectacular. I love the stubborn yet tender eccentricity of his stage character, his style, his voice, his wisdom, his honky tonk piano playing, him…
Which Subcultures have inspired you?
The Peredvizhniki, a group of 14 Russian art students at the Imperial Academy who in 1863 said up yours to the institutional system they were in and created a cooperative to give equal opportunity and access to artists from the provinces.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Catullus. From what I’ve read, I think he’d make good use of the hour for both of us.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
The Barbican. Their programming of music, theatre and art is so dynamic. In the past few years, Ragnar Kjartansson’s solo show, Tim Hecker’s performance of Konoyo, the dancer Michael Clark’s piece To A Simple Rock N Roll Song and Simon McBurney’s one-man play The Encounter have been favourites.
Having already collaborated with Nick Cave on his acclaimed 2013 album 'Push the Sky Away', Martha Skye Murphy has now turned her attention to a solo career. Her debut solo EP 'Heroides' was released in 2018 via Slow Dance, followed by her latest single 'Black Eye' in May 2019.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Hey Big Spender' - Shirley Bassey
I not only played on repeat but sang on repeat [enthused by my mum and dad] and notably performed at my primary school’s Year 5 talent show, outraging many of my friends’ parents.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Bonnie and Clyde' - Serge Gainsbourg
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I’m In Love with a German Film Star"
'I’m In Love with a German Film Star' - The Passions
A song you wished you had written?
'Is That All There Is?' - Peggy Lee
Best song to turn up loud?
Henrik Górecki - 'Symphony No 3'
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Give Her Some Money' - Maliibu Miitch
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Guantanamo' - Jlin
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer' - Amos Milburn
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Martha Skye Murphy, London.
Describe your style in three words?
Wim Wenders’ Films
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Daniel Johnson at the Hollywood Bowl, L.A. I didn’t realise what I was going to see at the time, I didn’t know who he was. Instantly I was so completely enamoured by his songs, by him, his humble truth, his flamboyant unexpectedness. The memory still bewitches me. That I was in his presence fills me with joyous awe.
If you could be on the line up with any two musicians in history?
Delia Derbyshire and Tom Waits.
Delia Derbyshire’s contribution to experimental music is monumental yet, she remains a sort of unsung pioneer of electronic music. I like the idea that she has seeped into so many people’s childhoods with her original 1963 theme tune for Doctor Who.
Tom Waits’ theatricality is spectacular. I love the stubborn yet tender eccentricity of his stage character, his style, his voice, his wisdom, his honky tonk piano playing, him…
Which Subcultures have inspired you?
The Peredvizhniki, a group of 14 Russian art students at the Imperial Academy who in 1863 said up yours to the institutional system they were in and created a cooperative to give equal opportunity and access to artists from the provinces.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Catullus. From what I’ve read, I think he’d make good use of the hour for both of us.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
The Barbican. Their programming of music, theatre and art is so dynamic. In the past few years, Ragnar Kjartansson’s solo show, Tim Hecker’s performance of Konoyo, the dancer Michael Clark’s piece To A Simple Rock N Roll Song and Simon McBurney’s one-man play The Encounter have been favourites.
Having already collaborated with Nick Cave on his acclaimed 2013 album 'Push the Sky Away', Martha Skye Murphy has now turned her attention to a solo career. Her debut solo EP 'Heroides' was released in 2018 via Slow Dance, followed by her latest single 'Black Eye' in May 2019.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Hey Big Spender' - Shirley Bassey
I not only played on repeat but sang on repeat [enthused by my mum and dad] and notably performed at my primary school’s Year 5 talent show, outraging many of my friends’ parents.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Bonnie and Clyde' - Serge Gainsbourg
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I’m In Love with a German Film Star"
'I’m In Love with a German Film Star' - The Passions
A song you wished you had written?
'Is That All There Is?' - Peggy Lee
Best song to turn up loud?
Henrik Górecki - 'Symphony No 3'
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Give Her Some Money' - Maliibu Miitch
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Guantanamo' - Jlin
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer' - Amos Milburn