Decades into his career but more captivating than ever, Australia’s nicest guy in music, Pete Murray, returns with one of his most personal and nourishing releases to date, his eighth studio album, Longing (out now). It’s Murray’s first fully independent full-length record in nearly 20 years, released alongside focus track Higher and the announcement of a 15-date Longing Summer Tour set for December and January.
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips sat down with Pete Murray over zoom call to discuss the creation of the new album ‘Longing’ and the upcoming tour
MORE ABOUT ‘LONGING’
The seeds of Longing were planted over a decade ago, with many of its songs lying dormant in folders on Murray’s computer. “Some of these tracks have been hanging around for 10 years,” he tells Australian Musician. “They just weren’t quite ready for earlier albums.” Recorded and self-produced at his home studio on the NSW North Coast, Murray took his time crafting the record, calling on friends like Luke Palmer (Dead Letter Circus), Garret Kato, and longtime guitar collaborators Brett Wood and Matt Smith (Thirsty Merc) to bring the music to life.
The title track Longing, first demoed back in 2014, captures the essence of the album’s decade long journey. “It just felt like the perfect name, I’d been longing for this album to happen for years,” Murray says. The song features the contrasting guitar textures of Smith and Wood, a fusion Murray likens to “70s Neil Young and Pink Floyd meets Jeff Buckley.”
Other highlights include Heaven Calls, a shimmering, layered vocal track that nods to Frank Ocean’s influence, and Long Way to Go, a trippy, Doors-inspired collaboration originally conceived with producer Trials (A.B. Original) in Adelaide. The album closes with Shakes, a soulful, uplifting number that encapsulates the warmth and optimism that have long defined Murray’s songwriting.
Recording vocals has always come naturally to him. “I know a lot of singers dread it, but I love doing vocal takes,” he laughs. “Usually by the second or third take, I’ve got the magic.” His weapon of choice throughout the sessions was a 1954 Gibson J-200 acoustic, a vintage treasure he picked up in New York after playing it three days in a row and realising he couldn’t leave without it.
Now, with Longing finally complete, Murray is eager to share it live. “I’ll be playing quite a bit of it on tour,” he says. “It feels like a solid album from start to finish, the best body of work I’ve made in years.”
Ever humble but quietly outspoken, Murray also laments the current state of streaming and the challenges facing Australian artists. “Touring’s pretty much the only way to make a living now,” he says. “I wish the streaming companies would do more for local acts, we deserve more visibility on those global playlists.”
Still, Longing finds Pete Murray at peace with his process, reflective, independent, and as honest as ever. “That guide vocal on Longing from 2014, I couldn’t better it,” he admits. “There’s just something beautiful about capturing a moment like that. That’s what this whole album is about.”
Tickets for Pete Murray’s Longing Summer tour are on sale Monday October 13 from www.petemurray.com.
PETE MURRAY – LONGING SUMMER TOUR
Tickets from www.petemurray.com
THU 18 DEC | THE EXCHANGE, NEWCASTLE NSW |
FRI 19 DEC | MIRANDA HOTEL, MIRANDA NSW |
SAT 20 DEC | ETTAMOGAH PUB, KELLYVILLE NSW |
SUN 21 DEC | DEE WHY SHOWROOM, DEE WHY NSW |
THU 01 JAN | MANLY HARBOUR BOAT CLUB, MANLY NSW |
FRI 02 JAN | THE STATION, SUNSHINE COAST QLD |
SAT 03 JAN | KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL, KINGSCLIFF NSW |
SUN 04 JAN | JETTY BEACH HOUSE, COFFS HARBOUR NSW |
THU 08 JAN | PORT MACQUARIE RACE CLUB, PORT MACQUARIE NSW |
FRI 09 JAN | SHOAL BAY COUNTRY CLUB, SHOAL BAY NSW |
SAT 10 JAN | TORONTO HOTEL, TORONTO NSW |
SUN 11 JAN | DRIFTERS WHARF, GOSFORD NSW |
FRI 16 JAN | BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS VIC |
SAT 17 JAN | PIER BANDROOM, FRANKSTON VIC |
FRI 13 FEB | HOTEL BRUNSWICK, BRUNSWICK HEADS NSW |