James Murdoch

James Murdoch is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter. He has released five full-length albums. Murdoch is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, piano, mandolin, banjo and singing on his records, which he often helps produce himself. His 2007 release, In Transit, was co-produced by compatriot Hawksley Workman. Born in Whitehorse, Yukon, Murdoch now resides in Edmonton, Alberta. Murdoch has been described as a "Canadian John Mayer," and his sound has been compared to that of rock groups Blue Rodeo and Crowded House. Biography Murdoch was born into an entertainment-oriented family; his father and uncles were writers and actors and his mother was both a concert producer and art director. He began playing music at an early age; at six, he could play the piano and guitar, and he first performed on national radio when he was just eight years old. By the time he was fourteen, Murdoch was touring northern Canada with numerous musicians and groups. He had released several albums with various bands by the time he graduated from high school. After traveling across North America and briefly settling in Victoria, British Columbia he found himself in Edmonton, where he now lives and runs a recording studio, Norwood Studio, with Captain Tractor frontman Chris Wynters. Murdoch has stated that one of his biggest musical influences is the Blue Rodeo album Five Days in July (1984). "Every time I put it on, I feel a sense of inspiration and comfort," he explains. "I always want to pick up my guitar when I hear it and just write. I've played music for over 10 years, starting in rock bands like many do, but I was always drawn to want to write in the sweet, melodic mystery of Five Days. When I finally started to do my solo thing, that record lent me the motivation to move toward the folk-pop style that I now attempt to pursue." Murdoch ended up working with Blue Rodeo producer John Whynot in 2005.