After cementing himself with a wealth of rich and captivating releases over the last few years, renowned composer Conor Mulroy returns once again to deliver his shimmering new single 'Still Water, Pt.1'.
Lifted from his forthcoming 'Still Water' project, which is set to be released soon, 'Still Water, Pt.1' makes for a beautifully sweet and tender listen. With its warm and immersive aesthetic perfectly set against a shining atmosphere from start to finish, he is continuing to establish himself as one of the more enchanting names doing the rounds today.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I started playing guitar when I was 8. I learned from listening to Randy Rhodes, Slash, and Kirk Hammett. Then I studied classical guitar at a conservatory in Boston when I was in high school, which added a whole other dimension to the instrument.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I remember liking Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Nirvana a lot. Their music left a big impression on me when I was younger.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The Ozzy Osbourne Randy Rhodes tribute. The one with the cover where Ozzy’s holding Randy up while he’s taking a solo on a flying V guitar.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Crazy Train from that recording.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
A lot of thinking beforehand. It took a few years before I was ready to start working on the sketches for Still Water. I like to think a lot about things before I start. So when the ideas come I have enough limitations in place in regards to form, instrumentation, and structure that it’s a fairly smooth process.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Lately, Nick Drake. The tuning I use for my guitar throughout Still Water is the tuning he came up with for Pink Moon.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Any group who plays traditional music in Ireland or anywhere in the UK. I really like the performance setting, where the musicians play informally for an attentive audience.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, he said “I do not enjoy writing, but I enjoy having written.” When a piece of mine gets recorded or performed, and it comes out all right, that’s the most rewarding part.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The composing part. It’s hard, frustrating, tedious work. And the older I get, the more frustrating it seems to become.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
From the mentors I’ve had, teaching me to stay focused and keep working on something every day, even when I’m creatively blocked, that’s probably the best advice I’ve ever received.
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Conor Mulroy's new single 'Still Water, Pt.1' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.