Local Sounds Presents: Amelia Murray
The grunge-folk singer-songwriter roots herself in telling stories and cultivating human connection.
Amelia Murray, an open-hearted singer-songwriter, exudes a kind of confidence and coolness that is somehow both intimidating and intriguing. A self-described grunge-folk artist, she runs circles around genre divisions, drawing inspiration from the likes of Brandi Carlisle, Joni Mitchell, and Nirvana.
Her ability to connect with her listener, regardless of who it may be, is one of her priorities. She writes her music for those who want to be comfortable being alone, but aren’t. Amelia tells stories of being content with yourself through her music and shares what it means to be “absolutely thrilled with being by yourself.” On stage, she talks to the audience like she talks to her friends or her family. At her shows, you get a sense for who Amelia truly is. She pays attention to the seemingly minor details — like making all her own merchandise by hand, from lip balm, to embroidered patches. Amelia Murray wants you to know the girl behind the guitar.
“I think a lot of times people get a microphone in their hands and they’re a different person,” Amelia said. “I really work to not do that. I think honesty, connection, and humor are probably the top three [artistic] missions,”
Amelia has always been surrounded by music — her dad, two siblings, and 14 cousins were all musicians. She started off her career performing in bars at 13 years old, and has, over time, graduated to venues like the Mercury Lounge. Now 21 and a senior in Steinhardt’s music technology program, Amelia plays an impressive range of instruments including piano, guitar, voice, clarinet, and saxophone.
From releasing singles like “Hindsight” and “The Pines” on Soundcloud to recording a song for NASA called “An Asteroid Named Psyche,” Amelia’s capacity and sound began to grow and evolve.
“It’s interesting because my audience has changed so much throughout my life,” she said.
Amelia herself, too, has changed. She took a hiatus from music this summer and returned with a new goal — authenticity —after watching Brandi Carlile perform in September. Carlile’s performance helped Amelia through the self-doubt she’s been feeling. Seeing a 38-year-old mother of two be so honest and open, while playing one of the largest music venues in the country, dissolved Amelia’s fear of not having enough time and “needing to this now.”
“[T]he way that she connected and told stories was very much the way I perform, so I really identify with her,” Amelia said. “I literally cried the whole time and when I left I was like, ‘I can fucking do this. I wanna go for this.’”
Amelia walked away that night with a motivation and perspective that allowed her to recognize which songs still felt reflective of who she was, and which were the products of asserting herself differently than she intended. Music was no longer about being “edgy” or sounding a certain way that would sell best. Amelia now focuses on songs that feel the most authentic to who she is.
“My motivation is coming from such a better place now and it’s so much more real and genuine,” she said. “I want it for myself but also I want to connect with people and I want them to have this music.”
Now Amelia focuses on connecting with her listeners, honestly sharing her story, and making people laugh. She wants her listener to know that it’s okay to be vulnerable. For Amelia, human connection is the whole point.
Amelia is now working on her EP, titled Speak Your Mind, and is preparing to present it as part of her capstone project in an interactive exhibit next semester. She plans to give each song its own section with ways for visitors to manipulate her sounds, experience her music live through virtual reality, music videos, and embroidered dogs that play sound when you press down on them.
“I have a lot of different interests in creative fields that are really disparate and hard to combine,” Amelia said. “This [project] gives me a chance to display all of it and not be so focused on one specific route, which is pretty accurate to my experience at NYU.”
When it comes to the future, Amelia said she looks forward to combining her creative outlets.
“I really don’t have a focus. I have a lot of different focuses which I think is a good thing,” she said. “Trying to display all of that and then incorporating my music into it will be really powerful.”
Come see Amelia and three other talented artists perform at Local Sounds on Nov. 20 at Trans-Pecos. Tickets are available in advance for $7, or at the door for $10.
