Murzik
From Minnewiki
Murzik is a Dark Folk / neofolk band formed in Minneapolis, Minneapolis in 2003.
The band started out by experimenting with mixing old eastern European folk and midwest Americana sounds together to form a sound which they coined as Dark Folk. Murzik claims its influences from more traditional artists such as Vladimir Vysotsky, Leonard Cohen, and Édith Piaf which can be seen in Murzik's romanticized soundscapes and dark poetic lyrics.
The band has often been compared with other groups such as DeVotchKa and Gogol Bordello although Murzik's music steers more towards a darker sound reminiscent of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen.
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History
Murzik started out in 2003 when Bryan Steenerson recorded a solo album under the name Murzik, a reference to a common Russian name for cats. The album contained dark lyrics, minor keys and various instruments such as accordions, glockenspeils, mandolin, and others. Upon hearing the album, long time friend and accordionist Nathan Simar, was grabbed by the music, and thus Murzik was born.
Murzik has always had a rotating caste of musicians and almost never plays with the same arrangement of musicians twice. Soon after their first show Murzik released a debut album in 2003 which received high praise from critics. Since then they have released two more CDs both which received high praise from music critics. In 2008, Murzik was the primary feature of NPR's radio show called All Things Considered. The interview was based around Murzik's origins and their style of what Murzik calls Dark Folk. The radio show was played nationally and is still available on MPR's web site.
Later on in that same year Murzik got the opportunity to open up for Mumiy Troll, a famous Russian pop band. In later 2009 a U of MN student even performed his masters thesis on the group Murzik and the style and origin of their sound.
The group Murzik has been quiet in the past few months of 2011, but is now rumored to be working in the studio again on a new album.
Members Past and Present
Murzik has always had a rotating caste of members with the two mainstay players being Bryan and Nathan. They often play shows in different arrangements and will often bring other musicians onto the stage with them.
- Bryan Steenerson
- Nathan Simar
- Christopher Becknell
- Alex Budrow
- Darin Steenerson
- Ryan Pfeiffer
Discography
- Dreams (2003) Self Released
- Murzik (2005) Pipe Club Records
- Buried (2008) Pipe Club Records
- Into the Darkness (2010) Pipe Club Records
- A Cat Named Murzik (2012) Pipe Club Records
Audio
http://www.facebook.com/murzikmusic
Web sites
http://www.murzikmusic.net
http://www.facebook.com/murzikmusic
MPR Interview
Rift Magazine Review
First Avenue
City Pages
Said the Gramophone
Related groups
Leonard Cohen, Devotchka, Tom Waits, Gogol Bordello, Vsotsky, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Magnetic Fields, Neutral Milk Hotel, etc...
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