Melbourne based singer-songwriter Ryan Murphy is making waves in the music industry with his new outfit the Lion and Ryan. I caught up with Ryan ahead of the band’s upcoming residency at The Wesley-Anne to chat about his love for his adopted home, his new band, and his plans for the future.
You’re preparing to take up residency at The Wesley-Anne. How do you approach those kinds of shows to ensure they stay fresh, despite being in the same venue at the same time each week?
That’s the challenge I guess. The idea of a residency is that your following builds each week, but people aren’t going to keep coming back to the same gig week in week out. It will just be a case of playing new material every show, and making the performances unique. My live shows have a lot of improvisation, whether it be musically or just mucking around between songs, so hopefully people come back.
These shows are a bit of a warm-up to a full-scale tour later this year. Do you enjoy life on the road or do you prefer to stay in one place?
At this stage in my life I prefer life on the road. I’m a very uncommitted person so living day to day comes very natural to me. Someday when I decide to settle down a little I guess life on the road could take its toll, but for now I just want every day to be a new adventure!
You’re earning a real reputation as a must see live act. What do you think it is about your live shows that resonate with audiences?
Hmm, well I hope its because I’m reasonable at what I do [laughs]. People seem to enjoy how relaxed I am on stage. Making a room turn around and listen is something that comes over time, but years of performing in front of strangers, basically telling them my secrets every night, has given me the confidence to know that audiences want to see me be myself, which should be easy.
The Lion and Ryan is your latest band. What does it feel like as a singer-songwriter to start playing with a bunch of new guys?
It’s a great feeling sharing the stage with other musicians! Especially for me after so much time spent playing solo. Playing in different situations with different people is the best way to improve, plus it gives the songs more dynamics which makes them more effective.