When you let a song loose into the world, you wonder where it will end up, who will listen to it and how it will be interpreted. There is a sense of mystery and fear when a writer releases their music in the world, much like an arrow shot aimlessly into the heavens. The dream-like sounds of Arrow mixes influences of Crosby, Stills and Nash with Elliot Smith.

Arrow

Written by Hubert Murray arranged by Lands End bluegrass band

Lands End - The Border Sessions - 05 Run Buddy Run

The debut single, Courage is set in rural Ireland. It tells the story of a teenager, who, after coming out, experiences rejection and prejudice from his father and the society around him. Hurt and fearing a world intolerable of difference, he flees his home. His older brother writes a letter to him, explaining how their family has been torn apart by their fathers disapproval of his sexuality. The brother exclaims his unconditional love for him and his anger towards the narrow minded society they live in. He sings about feeling lonely and his view of the world around him. He feels like courage is abandoning him. He sings; 'Courage, you can't find it in everyone, Courage, don't leave me here on my own'.

Courage was recorded at Orphan Studios with one of Ireland's most in demand producers; Gavin Glass. Gavin has worked with Lisa Hannigan, Declan O’Rourke, Paul Brady, The Villagers and John Grant to name a few. Hubert was joined by his long term collaborators, Paddy Kiernan on banjo, Niall Hughes on double bass (both part of bands; Nava and Pine Marten) as well as the marvelous, Alec Browne on Cello.

Courage

Irish raconteur, Hubert, has a voice bursting from the soul. His songs feature lost loves, inner demons, compulsive liars & day dreamers, rounded out with a masterful hand over the fret board. His performances embody all that is best in modern roots music, combining energy, soul and storytelling. 

Lost in a house of mixed tapes and stacks of old blues, folk & soul records, he sifted through each one, de-composing melodies under the wings of his older siblings. By the age of 14 he was performing on stages in pubs and clubs, lying about his age just to get on stage. After ten years of gigging and busking under his belt, he moved to London, immersing himself in the folk and bluegrass world. Fronting two genre bending bluegrass/old time bands, gigging and touring relentlessly. Quickly, they gained the reputation as some of the finest players and performers in Ireland and the UK. His sound bows a head to the masters of melody and word such as; Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Lightnin' Hopkins,The Beatles, Townes Van Zandt, Kavanagh, Bukowski and Laura Marling.
“Hubert Murray is one to watch for. Both an inspiring songwriter and a fine instrumentalist. He delivers his message with conviction and passion”. Niall Toner, Roots Freeway, RTE Radio One

4/5   "An excellent songwriter" Spiral Earth