Róisín Marie Murphy (/roʊˈʃiːn/; Irish pronunciation: ; born 5 July 1973) is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer.[8] She first became known in the 1990s as one-half of the UK-Irish trip hop duo Moloko with her partner Mark Brydon. After the breakup of Moloko, Murphy embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut solo album, Ruby Blue, written and produced with experimental musician Matthew Herbert, to critical praise in 2005. Her second solo album, Overpowered, was released in 2007.

After an eight-year hiatus (which nonetheless included several singles, vocal features, and side projects), her third album Hairless Toys was released in 2015; it was subsequently nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and Ireland's Choice Music Prize. The following year, she released her fourth album Take Her Up to Monto (2016). Throughout her career, she has received critical praise for her idiosyncratic music, fashion, and performance sensibilities.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 1994–2003: Moloko 1.3 2004–05: Ruby Blue 1.4 2006–08: Overpowered 1.5 2009–2014: hiatus 1.6 2014–present: Mi Senti, Hairless Toys, Take Her Up to Monto and the 12 inch series 2 Artistry 3 Personal life 4 Discography 5 References 6 External links Biography Early life

Murphy was brought up in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland. When she was twelve, her family moved to Manchester, England.[9] Murphy embraced 1960s fashions from going with her mother, an antique dealer, to car boot sales and charity shops.[10] She concealed her singing voice, not wanting other people to know she "sounded like Elaine Paige" when she herself enjoyed listening to the likes of Sonic Youth and Pixies instead.[9]

After three years of living in Manchester, her parents divorced and moved back to Ireland.[11] Murphy insisted on remaining alone in the UK because she did not think that her mother had the strength to continue taking care of her.[12] Murphy lived with her best friend for a year, until she could receive Housing Benefit and live in a nearby flat.[11] She was bullied at school and befriended a group of "weird boys who wore black" and who listened to the Jesus and Mary Chain.[9] Murphy joined a post-punk band that split after a handful of performances.[13] She enrolled in a sixth form college at seventeen and later considered going to art school.[11] She moved to Sheffield[9] where she began going to nightclubs and was inspired by the Vivienne Westwood designs she saw at Trash.[10]

Murphy performing at the Orange Music Experience Festival in Haifa, Israel on 27 June 2005, as part of the Ruby Blue tour. 1994–2003: Moloko

Murphy met Mark Brydon in 1994 at a party, using the chat-up line "Do you like my tight sweater? See how it fits my body."[14] Brydon brought Murphy to his Fon Studios, where he auditioned her voice on tape, and liked Murphy's theatrical delivery. They began dating, and the newly formed Moloko were signed to Echo Records, releasing their debut album Do You Like My Tight Sweater? the following year.[11] The album was described by Heather Phares of AllMusic as combining elements of trip hop and funk with electronic dance music, using a more humorous approach than some of their contemporaries.[14] The follow-up I Am Not a Doctor covered similar musical ground,[14] and a remix by Boris Dlugosch of "Sing It Back" enjoyed international success, and would go on to be featured on more than 110 compilation albums.[9] In place of paying Dlugosch, Murphy helped write "Never Enough",[15] which reached number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart in June 2001.[16]

October 2000 saw the release of Moloko's third album Things to Make and Do, for which they employed more live instrumentation, and more multifaceted arrangements by keyboardist Eddie Stevens.[17] The album reached number three on the UK Albums Chart, and "The Time Is Now" became their most successful British single, reaching number two.[16] Murphy and Brydon broke up but were contractually obligated to deliver further albums. After the 2003 release of Statues, Brydon backed out of much of the album's promotion, so Murphy handled most of it herself.[12] Although no official statement was issued pertaining to Moloko's future, Murphy had this to say in an interview with Q magazine in May 2005 (which was reiterated in the review of Ruby Blue in July 2005):

We left it on good terms after a very successful tour. We shook hands, said, "See you later", and haven't spoken since. I don't know what Mark thinks of this record or what he's doing. I don't know if we will or we won't reunite. Myself, I don't not want to.

2004–05: Ruby Blue Main article: Ruby Blue (album)

Murphy began doing solo work while still in Moloko, which included her contributions to the works of other artists including Handsome Boy Modeling School and Boris Dlugosch, for whom she sang on the track "Never Enough", which became a huge club hit, hitting the top three of the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Murphy recorded her first official solo material in 2004 with producer Matthew Herbert, who had previously done remixes for Moloko. She had wanted to work with him again, commenting that "it felt very natural... because Matthew makes things seem quicker and easier."[18] After the pair had recorded a few songs, Murphy found that she enjoyed working with Herbert, and her label Echo Records let her work freely without any deadline. When she presented them the album, they found it odd and did not hear any songs that would make successful singles. The A&R division suggested that Murphy make some changes to make it more radio-friendly. Murphy refused, stating that she "wanted it to be as pure as possible." The label later came to support her.[11]

Murphy released her debut album Ruby Blue in June 2005. Prior to this, tracks from the album were made available on three limited edition, vinyl-only releases: Sequins #1, Sequins #2 and Sequins #3. The release of the EP's was to precede a London exhibition by artist Simon Henwood, featuring paintings of Murphy in various sequined outfits (some of Henwood's paintings are used as cover images for the record jackets).[19] The titling is also a pun on "sequins" and the related word "sequence". Henwood also directed the two video clips for the album's singles ("If We're in Love" and "Sow into You").

Ruby Blue samples sounds made by everyday objects and actions, including cosmetics, brass mice, dancing and ornaments.[20] It mixes the electronic music for which Moloko was known with jazz and pop styles.[21] Although the album was a commercial failure,[22] it drew mainly positive reviews; Pitchfork Media called it "perfect, the ultimate combination of human warmth and technological know-how."[23]

Murphy performing in Budapest in August 2008. 2006–08: Overpowered Main article: Overpowered

In May 2006, Murphy signed with EMI. Her first single for the label, "Overpowered", was released on 2 July 2007. Written by Murphy and Paul Dolby (Seiji) of Bugz in the Attic and mixed by Tom Elmhirst, the single was accompanied by a series of remixes from Seamus Haji, Kris Menace, Hervé and Loose Cannons.[24] A second single "Let Me Know" (a collaboration with Andy Cato), was released in September and the album, named Overpowered, was released soon after.

In September 2007, Murphy received a pre-nomination for the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Inter Act, but did not make it to the final list.[25] She performed "Let Me Know" on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 5 October 2007.

Murphy sustained an eye injury on 27 October 2007, while on tour in Russia to promote Overpowered. She was forced to cancel several subsequent dates on the tour.[26]

2009–2014: hiatus

Despite well-known troubles at EMI,[citation needed] Murphy started working again with Sejii on a third studio solo album.[27] In 2008 she recorded a cover of the Bryan Ferry song "Slave to Love" that featured in a campaign for Gucci,[13] and released on the promo-only "Movie Star" single.[28] Murphy previewed material at the SEone club in London in 2009, performing "Momma's Place" and "Hold up Your Hands", and premiered the single "Orally Fixated" on her Myspace page in November 2009. The song was released later in the month. with The Guardian offering a free download of the song for 48 hours.

From 2010 until early 2013 Murphy's only releases were on other artists' recordings. She contributed vocals to Crookers's album Tons of Friends,[29] David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's project Here Lies Love,[30] Mason's "Boadicea", Tony Christie's "7 Hills", The Feeling's "Dance for the Lights", an anonymous prodcuer's "Simulation",[31] "Golden Era" by David Morales,[32] "Flash of Light" and "Invisions" with Luca C & Brigante, "Look Around You" by Boris Dlugosch, "Alternate State" by Hot Natured , Freeform Five's "Leviathan", and "In My Garden" with Invisible Cities. The exception to this was a 12", "Simulation", released under her own name in 2012.

2014–present: Mi Senti, Hairless Toys, Take Her Up to Monto and the 12 inch series Main articles: Hairless Toys and Take Her Up to Monto

In May 2014, Murphy released a six-track EP in the Italian language titled Mi Senti, featuring a new composition and previous Italian pop hits.[33] Her third studio album, titled Hairless Toys, followed a year later, to positive reviews.[34][35]

Murphy performing at Flow Festival in Helsinki, 2015

Of the record, Murphy wrote:

There was a desire to make an unquestionably refined record. It's multi layered, electronic and live instrumentation, musically it goes to places most pop music never does. It's emotionally bare and laced with irony. I definitely didn't set out to make something unique per-se but it really is like nothing you've ever heard before. So it's impossible to describe except to say... it's heartfelt.[36]

A new album, titled Take Her Up to Monto, was released on 8 July 2016.[37] It was recorded during the same sessions as Murphy's 2015 album Hairless Toys, and included long-time collaborator and producer Eddie Stevens.[38][39][40] The title is derived from an Irish folk song of the same name, popularised by The Dubliners in the 1960s, which Murphy's father sang to her as a child.[41] It was followed by a number of European festival dates and a number of North American shows.[42]

Through 2018, a series of four 12 inches were released on The Vinyl Factory. Consisting of eight tracks in total, they were produced by Maurice Fulton in a House style. Each are clocking at around 6 minutes and all the A-sides were made into videos directed by Roisin Murphy

Artistry Róisín Murphy is pop's exiled princess of glam. She represents a confection – of disco and art, of sensuousness and intelligence, of sumptuous superficiality and existential anxiety - that once seemed inevitable, but which has now become all but impossible.

— Mark Fisher for Fact[43]

Electronic Beats described Murphy as "this adolescent century's true art-pop queen," writing that "her sensuous and ominous output is scattered across various genres and moods."[6] AllMusic described her as "a purveyor of adventurous, omnivorous pop that blended influences as far-flung as disco and hot jazz."[1] Australian publication OutInPerth called her "Ireland's queen of the avant-garde."[44] Drowned in Sound's Giuseppe Zevolli wrote that "she's merged pop, house, and disco with an avant-garde sensibility and a stunning, shape-shifting visual output that never ceases to provoke."[45] Critic Mark Fisher located her music in a glam lineage that includes Roxy Music, Grace Jones, and the New Romantics, noting Murphy's attention to the cultivation of artifice and persona.[43]

The sound of Moloko's early work drew on electronic and trip hop influences before transitioning to a more organic sound.[46] Her diverse solo work has included collaborations with experimental jazz composer Matthew Herbert and electronic producer Eddie Stevens, drawing variously on house music, ballroom culture, and avant-garde electronica.[1][47] Murphy has a contralto vocal range,[48] which has been described as jazzy and spans from A2 to A5.[49] Heather Phares described it as "combin a wild variety of voices and textures, from impassively chilly to gorgeously lilting to gleefully offbeat."[50] As major influences Murphy has cited Sonic Youth (especially Kim Gordon),[13] the Pixies, Talking Heads and Grace Jones.[51][52]

Murphy has drawn considerable attention and praise for her eccentric and imaginative fashion style.[53] Electronic Beats noted "her reputation for sporting avant-garde couture into a place among fashion's elite."[6]

Personal life

Murphy has a daughter with artist Simon Henwood, Clodagh, born on 15 December 2009. Murphy is currently in a relationship with Sebastiano Properzi,[54] with whom she had her second child, son Tadhg, born in September 2012.

Discography Main article: Róisín Murphy discography Ruby Blue (2005) Overpowered (2007) Hairless Toys (2015) Take Her Up to Monto (2016) References ^ a b c Heather Phares (5 July 1973). "Róisín Murphy | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 July 2015. ^ "Róisín Murphy webchat – as it happened | Music". The Guardian. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015. ^ Barrett, Annie. "I got 'Overpowered' by Roisin Murphy in NYC". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 12 July 2016. ^ Breihan, Tom (2 November 2009). "Róisín Murphy Returns With Single | News | Pitchfork". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 17 July 2015. ^ "Glam's Exiled Princess: Roisin Murphy: Fact Magazine". factmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 November 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2015. ^ a b c Hodges, Taylor (2 April 2015). "A Guide to Moloko Star Róisín Murphy's 10 Best Songs". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 17 July 2015. ^ Alger, Anna (7 June 2016). "Róisín Murphy Take Her Up to Monto". Exclaim!. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (27 April 2015). "Roisin Murphy Returns After Eight-Year Album Break: 'I Appreciate It More Than I Ever Did'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 27 September 2016. ^ a b c d e Ramaswamy, Chitra; "Murphy's Law" Scotland on Sunday, 7 October 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007. ^ a b West, Naomi; "Retail therapy: Fashion Rocks" Daily Telegraph, 17 October 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ a b c d e Sturges, Fiona; "Roisin Murphy: Dressed to kill" The Independent, 17 June 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ a b Sullivan, Caroline; "Her time is now" Guardian.co.uk, 27 May 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ a b c Jones, Tim (March 2009). "Murphy's Law". Record Collector. Metropolis Group (360): 13. ^ a b c Phares, Heather. "Moloko Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 November 2014. ^ Smyth, David; "A dose of his own medicine" The Daily Telegraph, 26 May 2001. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ a b "UK Top 40 Hit Database" EveryHit.com. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ "Moloko: Catalogue" PopMatters, 27 July 2006. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ Bankole, Ade. "Beautifully Flawed" Archived 13 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Straight No Chaser. February 2005. Retrieved 8 October 2007. ^ "Roisin Murphy Video" Archived 7 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. SimonHenwood.com. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ "Why the Moloko singer decided to go solo". Woman's Hour. Retrieved 8 October 2007. ^ Tartan, Suzannah. "Diva sings hot and cold on solo debut". The Japan Times. 29 May 2005. Retrieved 7 October 2007. ^ "Chart Log UK: 1994–2006: M – My Vitriol". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 20 November 2008. ^ Richardson, Mark. "Róisín Murphy: Ruby Blue" Archived 18 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Pitchfork Media. 8 July 2005. Retrieved 7 October 2007. ^ "Moloko singer returns with electronic album" Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Side-Line.com, 23 July 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ "Róisín Murphy theater / website". Design Scene. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2010. ^ MacInnes, Paul, "Roisin Murphy recovering after eye-socket injury", The Guardian, 29 October 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ Rogers, Georgie; "Girls' EMI muddle" BBC.co.uk (BBC6 Music), 18 August 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2009. ^ "Róisín Murphy - Movie Star / Slave To Love". Discogs. Retrieved 31 May 2016. ^ Archived 13 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine ^ "Here Lies Love". DavidByrne.com. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2012. ^ Backer, Camille (8 December 2011). "Listen to Roisin Murphy's new track 'Simulation'". Hard Candy. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012. ^ Wacht, Walter W. (29 November 2011). "Róisín Murphy – I'm waiting for things to happen". Electronic Beats. Deutsche Telekom. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012. ^ "Róisín Murphy – 'Ancora Tu' • Nialler9". Nialler9.com. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014. ^ "Reviews for Hairless Toys by Róisín Murphy". CBS Interactive. Retrieved 8 May 2015. ^ "Róisín Murphy's new single 'Gone Fishing', new album". Róisín Murphy's official Soundcloud. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015. ^ "Róisín Murphy Says Her New Album Is "Like Nothing You've Ever Heard Before"". Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com. Retrieved 1 December 2015. ^ "Róisín Murphy: 'Here I am. Warts and all'". Retrieved 27 September 2016. ^ Monroe, jazz. "Róisín Murphy Announces New Album Take Her Up To Monto, Shares "Mastermind"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 June 2016. ^ "RÓISÍN MURPHY EXHIBITS A TWISTED LONDON IN NEW VIDEO 'TEN MILES HIGH'". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 29 June 2016. ^ Lobenfeld, Claire. "Róisín Murphy announces Take Her Up to Monto, shares track 'Mastermind'". Fact. Retrieved 29 June 2016. ^ "Press Release: RÓISÍN MURPHY – TAKE HER UP TO MONTO [PLAY IT AGAIN SAM/PIAS] (OUT FRIDAY, 8 JULY 2016)". Mushroom Promotions. Retrieved 29 June 2016. ^ Pearis, Bill (2 August 2016). "Roisin Murphy announces first-ever North American solo tour". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 27 September 2016. ^ a b Fisher, Mark (7 November 2007). "Glam's Exiled Princess: Roisin Murphy". Fact. London. Archived from the original on 10 November 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2015. ^ Hill, Leigh. "Róisín Murphy announces new album; releases 'Mastermind'". OutInPerth. Retrieved 30 June 2016. ^ Zevolli, Giuseppe. "Ive always been in control: DiS Meets Róisín Murphy". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 5 July 2016. ^ "Murphy's Law – Music". The Scotsman. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2013. ^ Reinholds, Andrew. "Listen: Róisín Murphy 'Hairless Toys'". The Denizen. Retrieved 30 June 2016. ^  ~ Roisin Murphy Audio CD. "Ruby Blue: Roisin Murphy: Amazon.ca: Music". Amazon.ca. Retrieved 8 June 2012.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link) ^ "Róisín Murphy takes her turn". Gay.net. 14 October 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013. ^ Heather Phares. "Do You Like My Tight Sweater? – Moloko | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 August 2013. ^ "Róisín Murphy: Roisin talks Grace". Roisinmurphy.blogspot.co.uk. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2013. ^ Teresa Cannatà (30 August 2010). "Róisín Murphy". Vogue.it. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2013. ^ Interview Carola Long (23 October 2011). "Roisin Murphy: Meet the poster girl of cutting-edge chic". The Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2015. ^ Nick Duerden, "Roísín Murphy: Sing it back again", The Independent, 14 May 2014. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Róisín Murphy.