Niamh Murray

"'Always be yourself'! Being yourself always gives you a higher level of comfort when playing and performing. It shines through your music and allows the audience to relate to you or to understand you. Being yourself gives you an advantage over everyone else and sets you apart."

Up n' Comin' NI is proud to introduce another phenomenal performer, 22-year-old, Niamh Murray. Niamh is a singer/ songwriter from Lurgan, Co. Armagh! “I have been singing and playing music since I can remember. I am a keen songwriter and have been focusing on recording my own music for the past 2 years.” As well as being a full time musician, she also helps out in local schools teaching Gaelic to young girls.

Like many musicians, music has been at the forefront of Niamh’s life since a very young age. “I have been singing for as long as I can remember and decided to take up guitar when I was 13 to accompany myself when I performed.” Singing in local choirs around Lurgan is really where Niamh’s musical journey began! “It gave me some confidence and great performance experience.”

 

With many different inspirations like Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Michael Jackson and Prince, Niamh has a wide span of musical influence. "These artists have taught me the importance of a good lyric as well as the beauty of a simple melody. They shape my musical sound and opinion. I have not only learnt how to construct melodies but how to use my own experiences to write songs that are relatable to others." 

When I asked Niamh what she felt made her different she said, "I feel it is not for me to say." It must be argued, however, that Niamh's background in classical singing has put her in a unique position. "It has helped to shape my overall sound and voice." The tone and quality of Niamh's voice is undeniably brilliant, meaning that she can deliver everything she writes to an extremely high standard.

"My style is forever evolving and changing each day due to the demand for a certain sound in today’s music world. However, I am aiming to continue to write music that is true to me and my style while also incorporating new sounds and styles that are related to this era of music."

Niamh gigs every weekend and often during the week too. "It is very important to play as often as you can, it’s the only way to improve." Niamh isn't only a solo artist. She also plays as part of a 2-piece and 3-piece who play regularly Monday-Sunday in bars and clubs, wedding receptions, parties, events and festivals throughout the year. "We play covers mostly but also dive into my own music when the occasion arises." 

 

Niamh discussed one of her favourite gigs to date. She played a set of originals in the 'American Bar' in Belfast."The crowd was amazing and really responded well to my music, it was lovely. It was such an intimate and personal gig which I don’t get to do often. I really enjoyed it." The most important part of any gig is the audience's participation and energy, so it comes as no surprise that this is the reason Niamh enjoyed the gig so much.

As well as performing both alone and with a band, Niamh also enjoys writing both alone and with collaborators. "Working alone allows me the freedom to do what I please yet working with others gives me a wider range of information and ideas. I can bounce my ideas off someone else’s ideas to make one big musical idea that compliments my song both lyrically and musically. An open mind and a second opinion is always good to have especially regarding music and songwriting."

When asked about her creative process, Niamh said, "For me, the music always has to come first. Once the music starts to reveal itself, it allows me to hear it and choose what topic or story relates or ties in nicely with it. Writing is a process and sometimes it comes quickly to you or not at all, don’t let that put you off, leave it and come back to it with a fresh mind and it usually sorts itself out." While Niamh's current music is heavily pop influenced, her hope is to also write the music she enjoys: folk. "I am aiming to write more of the music I love to listen to instead of writing music I feel others my age would love to listen to."

Niamh says that every song she writes is "somewhat related" to her life. Writing songs from your own experiences create an authenticity that others cannot replicate, regardless of the emotions behind the content. Niamh says, "I feel that drawing from real life experiences and feelings gives a depth to my music that is singular to me and me only! Then it is my job to relate those thoughts and feelings to others through my lyrics and music in any way I can."

The music industry is undoubtedly one of the most difficult industries to enter into, as I'm sure most artists would tell you. Releasing original music is a major success and what Niamh describes as her "proudest achievement so far." She says, "I have taken charge of myself and my own music, and I am loving releasing my songs at my own will regardless of who listens to them. If I am happy with them and proud of the end result, then that’s all that matters to me." As well as originals, Niamh also records covers of her favourite songs on social media, ranging from folk, rock, classical, church, indie and Irish!

Niamh's plan is to continue to release as much music as she can over the next few years. "I love making music and if something big was to come of it then that would be fabulous. But for me, being happy and making the music that I want to listen to is all that really matters. As long as I can sing and play music whenever I want and as often as I want. I have no set plans for my future but as long as it involves singing and performing I am happy enough."

Make sure to check out Niamh's music and keep up to date with upcoming events and gigs: 

• Spotify: Niamh Murray
• YouTube: Niamh Murray
• Instagram: Niamhmurray_music
• Facebook: Niamh Murray Music