Tour of tunes
Moncton musician’s military experience inspires new album, tour, with stops in N.L.
He spent years travelling the world, visiting war-torn countries as part of his military duties (deployment). Now, rising folk/country musician Patrick Murray of Moncton has retired his uniform, picked up his guitar again and is ready to focus on his passion — his music.
He spent years travelling the world, visiting war-torn countries as part of his military duties (deployment).
Now, rising folk/country musician Patrick Murray of Moncton has retired his uniform, picked up his guitar again and is ready to focus on his passion — his music.
Promoting his new album, “New Beginnings,” Murray has embarked on an Eastern Canadian tour, with several stops in this province next week.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Murray, a navy and air force veteran, who is a huge Great Big Sea fan.
“I love Newfoundland — its beauty, the people and its ruggedness … I couldn’t have a tour without coming to Newfoundland.”
His shows in this province are set for Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Rotary Arts Centre in Corner Brook; Monday, Oct. 9, at St Gabriel’s Hall in Marystown; and on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Ship Pub in St. John’s. In his show at the Ship Pub, he will team up with local musician and composer Brett Vey.
Murray began the tour with shows in Moncton, Saint John and Charlottetown this past weekend, to be followed by shows this week in Halifax. After his performances in this province, he will also visit Fredericton for Music NB shows before heading to Montreal and Toronto.
His debut album is a 14-song soundtrack of Maritime life and life as a military veteran. The majority of his songs were written during his transition from the military last year and deal-
Patrick Murray also conducts songwriting/creative writing seminars for veterans, RCMP officers and first responders dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. He’s scheduled one of his seminars in St. John’s during his visit here. It will be held at the Oct. 10 at HMCS Cabot naval complex.
ing with anxiety.
From singles “Life is Complicated,” “Heartbreak” and “Everlong,” Murray said the album is a journey of the heart and a soundtrack of his life.
“The ability to let it out comes out in my music, to write about how I feel, so it’s directly there in my music,” said Murray, whose first album, “Losing Sight of Shore” was released in 2013, but never got promoted as he would like because he got deployed to service soon after it was released.
Murray also conducts songwriting/creative writing seminars for veterans, RCMP officers and first responders dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
He’s scheduled one of his seminars in St. John’s during his visit here. It will be held at the Oct. 10 at HMCS Cabot naval complex.
“I just wanted to provide a tool for people to help them,” said Murray, who had friends take their lives after suffering from PTSD. “If I can help one person, that’s great.”
Murray said he’s excited to begin a new chapter in his life. His new album — which he describes as “mainly folk/ country mixed with Celtic and sprinkles of pop and rock” — is produced by acclaimed Canadian singer/songwriter J.P. Cormier.
“I’m pretty excited because J.P. doesn’t just take on anyone or anything. It was amazing to record and be in the studio with him. He’s so talented,” said Murray, who
“We recorded 14 songs in under a month — 14 vocal tracks in two days — and had it mastered. I’m pretty proud of that.”