Songs From The Trees, a new EP from Chris Murphy and Seth Lakeman on the horizon

Los Angeles-based Americana/roots rocker/world Musician Chris Murphy is excited to announce his new seven-song EP ‘Songs From The Trees’, a collaboration with British folk royalty Seth Lakeman, due for release in May on Teahouse Records.

Seth contributes a deep & profound knowledge of British traditional music, with a passion for more contemporary and modern sounds, as he guides Chris Murphy’s Neil Young/Leonard Cohen/Bob Dylan-inspired lyrics and vocals into new, experimental, progressive folk directions.

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 both 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, and gothic Appalachian moans, Chris Murphy’s haunting and profound lyrics, and ethereal and emotional Fiddle playing.

Explaining 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 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 kicked off 2026 with January and February UK and EU tour dates and will return in July for a UK tour in support of the EP – bringing ‘Songs From The Trees’ to life. Catch Chris Murphy live in concert and see a master musician at work.