Los Angeles-based Americana/roots rocker/world Musician Chris Murphy is excited to announce his new single ‘Songs From The Trees’ on June 19th. It’s the second single and title track of his new album, a collaboration with British folk royalty Seth Lakeman, released on Teahouse Records and distributed by Right Track Records / Universal. Chris will tour the UK in July, appearing as Artist at Large at the Maverick Festival and celebrating the album launch at The Betsey Trotwood on July 14.
Seth Lakeman brings a deep, nuanced understanding of British traditional music, with a passion for more contemporary and modern sounds, as he guides Chris’s lyrics and vocals – echoing Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan – into new, experimental, progressive-folk directions.
The new single melds atmospheric, eerie fiddle and rhythmic Bango, with Chris exploring a more spoken-word lyrical style.
Explaining the writing process, Chris says:
“The composition Songs From The Trees keeps circling these themes I can’t seem to shake off:
Desire, longing, hunger, searching, redemption… I am a hopeless wanderer, seeker, gambler, willing to risk it all for one more moment of magic, beauty, clarity.”
“Ultimately, this will destroy me, this I know, but I surrender “
Murphy says:
“I was blown away by Seth’s power and beauty as a folk musician. I thought his records were very compelling and well-written, channeling something at once ancient and modern. I love his approach to traditional melodies and themes, at the same time bringing something contemporary and relevant to the music.”
Recorded in a 16th-century monastery in Plymouth, UK, this gorgeous seven-song collection includes Peter Gabriel-influenced world music rhythms, ancient maritime sea shanties, gothic Appalachian moans, Chris Murphy’s haunting and profound lyrics, and ethereal and emotional fiddle playing.
On the recording process, Chris explains, “I was very inspired and impressed with Seth’s work in the studio as he brought a thoughtful, beautiful, and unique perspective to my music. His contributions on banjo, guitar, fiddle, and Mandolin were the perfect complement and accent to my music. Our engineer, Josiah J. Manning, was also a significant contributor, combining state-of-the-art recording techniques with soulful musicianship and guitar playing. We became a powerhouse power trio for five days, conceptualising, tracking, recording, and mixing a song a day with minimal second thoughts and 100% emotion. Being in Dartmoor National Park with its epic landscape and ethereal beauty was also a big influence, the ideal setting to create and birth this batch of songs, owing a debt to the beauty and poetry of the United Kingdom and its people.”
Born and raised in New York and now based in Los Angeles, Chris Murphy is a violinist, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who performs over 200 shows annually across the USA and Europe. His music – what he calls a “live film score”- explores love, loss, hope, and redemption, delivered with emotional depth and a charismatic stage presence.
Blending Folk, Jazz, Classical, World, and Ambient styles, Murphy’s performances are as captivating as they are versatile. Chris has announced EU tour dates in Italy (May), the Netherlands and Belgium (June) and will be touring the UK in July, bringing Songs From The Trees to life. Catch Chris Murphy live in concert and see a master musician at work.
CHRIS MURPHY SONGS FROM THE TREES TOUR – UK LIVE DATES
02/07/2026 – CAFE 9 – SHEFFIELD HERE
03 – 05/07/2026 – ‘ARTIST AT LARGE’ MAVERICK FESTIVAL (SUFFOLK) – HERE
07/07/2026 – THE GROVE – NOTTINGHAM – HERE
08/07/2026 – THE EXCHANGE – BRISTOL – HERE
09/07/2026 – THE TUPPENNY – SWINDON – HERE
10/07/2026 – THE ADELPHI CLUB – HULL – HERE
12/07/26 – HOUSE CONCERT – NORFOLK
13/07/2026 – THE BRUNSWICK – BRIGHTON – HERE
14/07/2026 – THE BETSEY TROTWOOD – LONDON ALBUM LAUNCH – HERE
16/07/2026 – CC’S MUSIC CELLAR – MARGATE – HERE
17/07/26 – EXETER PHOENIX – EXETER – HERE
19/07/2026 – SHOALS BREWERY – PORTHLEVEN – HERE
21/07/26 – REDWING GALLERY – PENZANCE – HERE
23/07/26 – WATCHET BOAT MUSEUM – WATCHET – HERE
24/07/26 – NEW STREET MARKET – WOODBRIDGE, SUFFOLK
25/07/26 – WHITE ROOM – DURHAM – HERE
26/07/26 – THE BATH HOTEL – SHEFFIELD – HERE
30/07/26 – BAND ON THE WALL – MANCHESTER – HERE
01/08/26 – THE THATCH – CROYDE – HERE
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