Old Melbourne Road records new tracks

WHEN David Murphy celebrated his fortieth birthday nine years ago, musical magic was made.

Lachie Murphy said a few of the Dunnstown party guests set up their instruments and jammed the night away.

“We had a lot of fun, and so we kept going. My cousin, Sean, brought along a mandolin which really gave an Irish flavour, and with that, we discovered our style,” he said.

“A year later, we got our first gig at St Patrick’s Day in Bacchus Marsh… and kept playing at pubs, functions, weddings, and footy club dos.”

The band, Old Melbourne Road, gigged enough to save money to tour Ireland; “the best experience of our lives,” before taking a break in 2019.

But in 2020, OMR was “raring to go” again, building a studio in Dunnstown and recording an album, which they’ll launch this month.

“It’s a mixture of the old classic covers that we used to play, adding our own flavour to the mix. There’s a lot of traditional Irish and Australian folk songs, with our own folk-rock twang.

“It’s been mixed and produced by my brother, Pat Murphy, who plays electric guitar in the band and has been able to add his psychedelic, grungy feel,” Murphy said.

“There’s a handful of covers we’ve arranged over the last couple of years. We’re really proud and excited to get them out.

A back-up singer and multi-instrumentalist, Murphy is looking forward to officially celebrating the album with the community on Saturday, 17 April at Warrenheip’s The Cabaret Club.

“We’ll play the album in full, as well as a few classic songs people have come to know, learn and like.

“It’s feel-good, upbeat Irish music, in a style we love, that can resonate with everyone, and get you up and going,” he said.

The launch will run from 6pm. Music starts at 8pm. Visit bit.ly/31DNT1L to purchase tickets.

OMR are looking forward to warming up their set ahead of the 2021 Koroit Irish Festival.