New music from internationally renowned violinist Chris Murphy transports us through time and space into a cinematic world of myth and mystery. Steeped in atmosphere and layered with musical tension and release, Songs From The Trees finds Murphy in typically expansive form; urgent and dramatic, the song’s timeless feel is enhanced by the endless landscape and big skies that form the backdrop to Murphy’s performance in the accompanying video. Featuring the producing talents of British folk star Seth Lakeman, Songs From The Trees benefits from rhythmic banjo as well as Murphy’s sweeping, resonant fiddle. Meanwhile, his vocal performance is almost spoken throughout the verses, creating a sense of intimacy despite the way the song swells and inhabits wide open spaces.
Murphy says of the recording process and of working with Seth Lakeman: “The composition, Songs From The Trees, keeps circling these themes I can’t seem to shake off: Desire, longing, hunger, searching, redemption… I am a hopeless wanderer, seeker, gambler, willing to risk it all for one more moment of magic, beauty, clarity. Ultimately, this will destroy me; this I know, but I surrender. I was blown away by Seth’s power and beauty as a folk musician. I thought his records were very compelling and well-written, channelling something at once ancient and modern. I love his approach to traditional melodies and themes, at the same time bringing something contemporary and relevant to the music. 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 J. 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.”
Songs From The Trees is the title track from Murphy’s brand new album, which is due on 3rd July 2026 on Teahouse Records, coinciding with his latest performance as ‘artist at large’ at the Maverick Festival in the Suffolk countryside. A seasoned Maverick stalwart, Murphy is known for appearing on every stage with a range of different musicians over the weekend, his hypnotic violin providing a stunning accompaniment and transforming artists’ songs into unique, new versions that linger in the memories of the festival-faithful. Throughout July, Murphy will be playing venues across the UK – tickets available here – do take in a show if you can; this is where Murphy’s music truly comes to life, with looping phrases and rhythms giving surprising sonic texture to his storytelling.
The New York-born, Los Angeles-based Murphy describes his music as a “…live film score.” Indeed, he produces hypnotic soundscapes that act as soundtracks to the universal human emotions and experiences of love, loss, hope and redemption. Chris Murphy is also hugely prolific, having already released an album this year, Powers of Observation, under his Seven Crows moniker. Check out the new collection and let those songs flow.
