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Neil Murray Releases New Single ‘Still Here By My Side’

NEIL MURRAY RELEASES NEW SINGLE “STILL HERE BY MY SIDE”

THE SINGLE WILL BE LAUNCHED APRIL 17 AT THE MEMO IN ST KILDA

THE NEW SINGLE IS THE FIRST NEW MUSIC FROM THE WARUMPI BAND CO-FOUNDER AND WRITER OF THE ICONIC ‘MY ISLAND HOME’ SINCE 2023’S ALBUM THE TELLING

“Neil Murray sings from the heart of the country” – Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil)

One of Australia’s finest songmen, Neil Murray, co-founder and songwriter for the Warumpi Band, writer of the iconic “My Island Home” and one of Australia’s finest songmen, has today released a powerful new single “Still Here By My Side”, his first new music since the release of his acclaimed tenth solo album The Telling in 2023.

Neil and band will launch the new single at the Memo Music Hall in St Kilda on Friday April 17, with support from Clare Cowley. Doors open at 7PM, show starts at 8PM. Tickets are available now from
Neil Murray & his Band “Still Here By My Side” Single Launch | Memo Music Hall

“Still Here By My Side” finds Neil on acoustic guitars and vocals and adroitly accompanied by Peter Marron on drums and Craig Kelly on bass. It was recorded and mixed at Union Street studios by Roger Bergodaz and mastered by Adam Dempsey.

This new offering – a call from “the long and lonely road” will be welcomed by long-time fans and interest new listeners alike in its driving urgency and declarations of solidarity and union despite separation.

As a founding member of the pioneering, and ever popular Warumpi Band and a much respected, award winning singer songwriter in his own right, Neil Murray is now a long way down the road on a four decade plus recording career and is well placed to weigh what we may continue to carry with us, long after relationships, places or experiences have transpired.

NEIL MURRAY BIO

“Neil Murray’s life and work will remain relevant while ever Australians ask the question – what in truth does it mean to call Australia home?”
– Martin Flanagan, The Age

Maverick songman Neil Murray originally sprang from Victoria’s western district, but in the late 1970’s with guitar in hand he set course for the Northern Territory. He emerged at Papunya in 1980 as a founding member of the pioneering Warumpi Band, which over three albums (Big Name No Blankets, Go Bush and Too much Humbug) and twenty years of performing thrust contemporary indigenous music into mainstream Australia, yielding such classic songs as My Island Home, Blackfella Whitefella, Fitzroy Crossing, Jailanguru Pakarnu, Stompin Ground, From The Bushand Waru.

“One of the finest songwriters this country has ever produced.” – Rhythms

He has since become one of Australia’s finest singer/songwriters, enjoying a solo career since 1989. He has released a remarkable string of albums – the latest being The Telling, which marks a recording career of four decades.

His song writing is diverse- from the rollicking Good Light in Broome, the prayerful Native Born, and healing Myall Creek, the roots groove ofLong Grass Band andEddie Mabo, the journeyman monologues of Lights of Hay and Where my people go, the contemplation of place in Burrumbeep Hill, Whispering Casuarina and Bring Thunder & Rain and Fine Open Country (with Sammy Butcher) to the current single Broken Land.

Collectively, Neil’s work has done much to deepen Australia’s contemporary music heritage.

In 1995, Neil Murray was awarded the APRA song of the year for My Island Home originally written for the Warumpi Band and re-recorded by Christine Anu. My Island Home featured in the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the opening ceremony of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

In 2007, Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out From Jail), the Warumpi Band’s debut 1983 single, which was co-written with guitarist Sammy Butcher in the indigenous Luritja language- was honoured by the National Film And Sound Archives– “Sounds Of Australia” series- as a significant recording in Australia’s heritage- (credited as the first commercially released pop rock single in an indigenous language.) In 2016 My Island Home– as recorded by Christine Anu- received the same honour.

In recognition of his influence, Neil Murray was awarded the 2017 Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year.

“There’s no shortage of substance or integrity in his songs.” – The Australian

Neil Murray’s songs have been recorded by Mary Black, Jimmy Little, Missy Higgins, Liz Stringer, Christine Anu, Peter Denahy, Carus, Adam Brand, Amy Saunders, Powderfinger, The Tiddas, Ursula Yovich, Peter Brandy, Emma Donovan and the Warumpi Band.

Neil released, The Telling, his tenth original solo album, in 2023.

“Stand to be converted” – Australian Musician