 Daron Murphy is a composer and performer, based in Brooklyn, USA—the headquarters of his music production company, The Gowanus Sound Initiative (gowanussoundinitiative.com). Since founding the Gowanus Sound Initiative in 2006, Daron’s composed music for films (Raving, a short directed by Julia Stiles, starring Zooey Deschanel), commercials (Expedia.co.uk, Converse), and added to his growing discography of remixes (John Legend, Moby, Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child).
In 2005 Daron toured the world as guitar and bass player for multi-platinum recording artist Moby (with whom he continues to perform). Their collaboration is documented on the Moby Live: Hotel Tour 2005 concert DVD and Go: The Very Best of Moby, a CD featuring performances from the tour as well as bonus material culled from recording sessions in New York and Santiago de Chile.
Over the past five years Daron has produced music and performed in live events for MoveOn.org, Planned Parenthood, the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, and the Democratic National Committee, sharing the stage with the likes of Lou Reed, Public Enemy’s Chuck D., Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell, Kris Kristofferson, the B-52’s, Rufus Wainwright, G.E. Smith, Vernon Reid, Senator John Kerry and many others.
FX - How did you first get involved in the music industry? Has there been a key point in your career that has led you to where you are today?
DM - Started playing guitar and singing in rock bands in New York’s Lower East Side in the early 90s. (None that anyone’s ever heard of!) Began dabbling with vintage synths and drum machines in the late 90s. In early 2000 learned Logic Audio from Gordon Raphael, in his now-defunct East Village basement studio, around the same time he was producing the Strokes first album.
 Later that year met Laura Dawn, who would become my wife. Joined her band and toured the USA in support of her debut Warner Bros. album, Believer. Moby saw Laura and I perform in NYC and asked us to start performing shows with him. Joined Moby on the 2005 world tour for his album Hotel. Came home to New York City and established The Gowanus Sound Initiative—a production company that creates music for film, TV, commercials, and multimedia. Still perform with Moby, just started a new rock and roll band called The Little Death with Moby, Laura, and drummer Aaron Brooks where I play guitar, bass(switching off with Moby), harmonica, and occasionally sing.
It’s been a long, very gradual musical journey. I suppose the key event in crossing over to a professional level came when I began working with Moby. Not only have I learned lots from him, but have also been able to enjoy a wealth of exciting experience. And, as a fringe benefit, my association with Mo has opened doors for great opportunities with my own music.
FX - What led you to establish the Gowanus Sound Initiative?
DM - After coming back from the Moby tour at the end of 2005, found myself with the opportunity to create music for TV, film, commercials, etc. Was doing it on my own as “myself.” Realized that if I involved a few of my talented friends and created the Gowanus Sound Initiative, I’d be able to take a more diverse array of these sorts of projects. So far it’s been going great.
FX - What has been your favourite project that you have worked on so far and why?
 DM - Just finished scoring an anti-war commercial for MoveOn.org, directed by Oliver Stone. Very exciting to work with him, even if it was “virtual” (he lives in L.A., I live in New York, so our only communication was electronic).
Really enjoyed scoring Julia Stiles’ short film Raving, because I was able to wear so many hats. Produced a recording of actress Zooey Deschanel singing “Hello Dolly” with a nine-piece New Orleans-style jazz band. Also got to score and perform all the music—from 60s-style chamber pop jazz to modern
electronic music for some dance club scenes.
'like the idea of being able to manipulate parameters with more of a “live” feel while recording' FX - What first inspired you to use music software?
DM - First decided to learn music software so I could have more autonomy and be able to execute fully fleshed-out musical ideas without having to depend on other people. Also wanted to explore the forms of creative expression that might arise naturally in the software realm. More excited than ever by the possibilities.
FX - What FXpansion products do you own and how do you use them. Do you have any tips or tricks that you find you use all the time?
DM - I own BFD (with a few expansion packs) and Guru. I use one or the other or both on almost everything I do. When I first started using music software I was extremely disappointed with the quality of samples of real drums that were available. They sounded very one-dimensional and slick. With each project, I’d find myself sorting through sound after sound just to find the right kick or snare. For me there’s no better way to kill creative inertia than that.
When I found BFD I was thrilled. I assembled my own drum kit out of all my favorite pieces and use the same one on almost everything I do. Of course it’s great to have the option of all those other kit pieces, but I actually find myself working very hard to LIMIT my options so I can get on to simply making music!
As a former Akai MPC owner, was very taken by Guru because it offers the same simplicity and old-school interface with the flexibility and functionality of software that’s much more sophisticated and modern. Plus I love the set of sounds that came with the software. They are very hip and varied and sound very hi-fi without being overly slick.
FX - What would you wish to see next from software developers?
DM - I think the software developers are doing a fantastic job these days. Honestly, I’m not an overly technical person. So most of my wishes are more general/conceptual. Just like real life instruments, my favorite pieces of software are ones with strong personalities. Software that “does everything” usually confuses me and fails to inspire. My favorite products are ones that are very simple and intuitive on the surface that possess depth upon further exploration. Also, in general, like the idea of being able to manipulate parameters with more of a “live” feel while recording. Sometimes that’s hard to do with plugins.
FX - What have you got in the pipeline for the rest of the year?
DM - Will probably record with the Little Death. Have already started playing small shows around New York.
Will be composing the soundtrack to a French-produced documentary film about the American democratic action group, MoveOn.org.
Also recording my own collection of dreamy psychedelic pop music. Will probably release it independently for download.
|
