Words by Charlie Sherry
Photo by Baz Collins
Clydesider caught up with local emerging artist, Vale singer/songwriter Grayling aka Emma Murdoch, who launched her debut five track EP ‘Greenhouse’ in Glasgow at the start of August.
Q. How did you come by the name ‘Grayling’?
A. When I was born my mum wanted to call me Grayling after a character in Inspector Morse, she was the pathologist and the only female character, my mum thought she was a badass but Dad wasn’t so keen.
Grayling is also the name of a rare beautiful butterfly that was unique to a place I used to live in the Welsh borders. I always really liked the name.
Q. How would you describe your music?
A. Sad indy girl music, it is all inspired by life experience. A lot of the topics I write about are quite sad, music is cathartic to me it comes from journaling.
It’s quite dark themes I write about, but I think the music is the opposite of that, it takes me to a nice place.
Q. What or who inspired you to get into music?
A. My Dad is a musician, I always had an inclination for music. Growing up my Mum and Dad would listen to artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, The Eagles, Queen.
Actually, in school I was told I couldn’t sing and my Higher Music is with the Glockenspiel!
Q. Which artists, past or present would you say have been a major influence on your music?
A. The folk music of the late sixties, artists like Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Joni Mitchell, I really resonate with that music.
Also new artists like Julie Jacklyn and a lot round the Glasgow music scene including Lizzie Reid, Zoe Graham, it’s really vibrant just now.
Q. What journey do you hope your music takes you on?
A. I would love to continue playing music and nothing else, I don’t think I would want to be a mega superstar or anything like that.
As long as I make enough to allow me to continue to do what I love doing, I’ll be happy. A wee world tour with a band would make me even happier.
Q. What advice would you give aspiring musical artists in West Dunbartonshire?
A. Before anything, spend a bit of time trying to find what your sound is, who you are as an artist and what you want to say.
Get yourself out there, play gigs even if you feel you are not ready, go for it.
You can enjoy Grayling’s music via Spotify, ITunes and all major streaming platforms.
To stay up to date with Grayling’s gigs and sounds, check out her Instagram page @graylingmusic