Róisín Murphy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Róisín Murphy
Róisín Murphy in concert for ARTE Concert at Ground Control in Paris in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Róisín Marie Murphy
Born	(1973-07-05) 5 July 1973 (age 52) Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland
Genres	Electropop dance-pop art pop trip hop nu disco nu jazz experimental pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Echo EMI PIAS Ninja Tune

Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer, songwriter, and music producer. She became well-known in the 1990s as half of the pop duo Moloko, working with English musician Mark Brydon. After Moloko, Róisín started her own solo music career. Her first solo album, Ruby Blue, came out in 2005. She wrote and produced it with experimental musician Matthew Herbert. Her second album, Overpowered, was released in 2007.

After a break, Róisín released her third solo album, Hairless Toys, in 2015. This album was nominated for important music awards. The next year, she released her fourth album, Take Her Up to Monto. In 2018, she worked with producer Maurice Fulton on four special music releases. Her fifth and sixth solo albums, Róisín Machine and Hit Parade, were released in 2020 and 2023. Both albums were highly praised by music critics.

Early Life and Inspiration

Róisín Marie Murphy was born in Arklow, County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland, on 5 July 1973. When she was 12, her family moved to Manchester, England. She loved 1960s fashion and often went to car boot sales and charity shops with her mother, who bought and sold old items.

When Róisín was 15, her parents divorced and moved back to Ireland. Róisín decided to stay in England by herself. She lived with a friend for a year before getting her own flat. School was tough for her, but she found friends who liked music like The Jesus and Mary Chain. Róisín was inspired to become a performer after seeing a Sonic Youth concert. She kept her singing voice a secret at first. Later, she joined a post-punk band that didn't last long. At 19, she moved to Sheffield, where she enjoyed nightclubs and the fashion she saw there.

Music Career Journey

Starting with Moloko (1994–2003)

In 1994, Róisín Murphy met Mark Brydon at a party. They started dating and formed the band Moloko. They signed with Echo Records and released their first album, Do You Like My Tight Sweater?, in 1995. This album mixed trip hop, funk, and electronic dance music.

Their next album, I Am Not a Doctor, came out in 1998. A remix of their song "Sing It Back" by Boris Dlugosch became a huge international hit. Moloko's third album, Things to Make and Do, was released in 2000. It used more live instruments and reached number three on the UK Albums Chart. The song "The Time Is Now" became their most successful British single.

Róisín and Mark broke up, but they still had to make more albums together. After their 2003 album Statues, Mark stepped back from promoting it, so Róisín did most of the work. Moloko never officially announced they were splitting up, but they haven't worked together since.

Solo Beginnings: Ruby Blue (2004–2005)

Even while in Moloko, Róisín started doing solo projects. She worked with other artists, including a song called "Never Enough" with Boris Dlugosch.

In 2004, Róisín began recording her first solo music with producer Matthew Herbert. She liked working with him because he made things feel easy. They recorded several songs, and her record label, Echo Records, supported them. When Róisín showed the label her album, they thought it was unusual and didn't hear any obvious hit songs. They suggested she make changes to sound more radio-friendly, but Róisín refused. She wanted the music to be "as pure as possible," and the label eventually agreed.

Róisín released her first solo album, Ruby Blue, in June 2005. Before the album, some songs were released on special vinyl records with art by Simon Henwood. He also directed music videos for the singles "If We're in Love" and "Sow into You". The album used sounds from everyday objects, like cosmetics and dancing. It blended electronic music with jazz and pop. Even though the album didn't sell a lot, critics loved it. Pitchfork Media called it "perfect."

Becoming Overpowered (2006–2008)

Murphy performing in Sofia in 2008

In May 2006, Róisín signed with EMI Records. Her first single with them, "Overpowered", came out on 2 July 2007. She wrote it with Paul Dolby (Seiji). A second single, "Let Me Know", was released in September, followed by the album, also called Overpowered.

Róisín performed "Let Me Know" on a TV show called Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in October 2007. Later that month, she had an eye injury while on tour in Russia, which made her cancel some shows.

A Break and New Collaborations (2009–2014)

In 2008, Róisín started working on her third solo album with Sejii. She also recorded a cover of Bryan Ferry's song "Slave to Love" for a Gucci campaign. In 2009, she shared new songs like "Orally Fixated" online.

From 2010 to early 2013, Róisín sang on many other artists' songs. She worked with Crookers, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, Mason, Tony Christie, The Feeling, David Morales, and more. The only song released under her own name during this time was "Simulation" in August 2012.

New Albums: Mi Senti, Hairless Toys, Take Her Up to Monto (2014–2017)

Murphy performing in Helsinki in 2015

In May 2014, Róisín released a six-song collection called Mi Senti, which was sung in Italian. Her third studio album, Hairless Toys, came out a year later and received great reviews. Róisín said she wanted to make a very polished record that was "multi layered, electronic and live instrumentation." She felt it was "like nothing you've ever heard before."

Her album Take Her Up to Monto was released in July 2016. It was recorded at the same time as Hairless Toys and included help from her long-time producer Eddie Stevens. The album's title comes from an Irish folk song her father used to sing to her. After these albums, Róisín performed at many festivals in Europe and North America.

Recent Work: Róisín Machine and Hit Parade (2018–Present)

Murphy performing at the BBC6 Roundhouse Festival in 2020

In 2018, Róisín released a series of four special records produced by Maurice Fulton. Each record had two original songs, and Róisín directed music videos for them.

The single "Murphy's Law" was released on 4 March 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Róisín performed concerts from her home that were released as short films.

Her fifth solo album, Róisín Machine, came out on 2 October 2020. It included earlier singles like "Simulation" and "Jealousy," along with newer songs.

In 2022, Róisín played a character named Mercury in the Netflix series ... Son & The Devil Himself. She also helped raise money for LGBTQ+ organizations by taking part in a charity T-shirt collection.

In March 2023, Róisín announced she had signed with Ninja Tune and released the single "CooCool," produced by DJ Koze. On 17 May 2023, she released "The Universe" and announced her sixth solo album, Hit Parade. This album was released on 8 September 2023 and was highly praised. In 2024, a remixed version of Hit Parade was released, and Róisín continued to tour.

Music and Fashion Style

Róisín Murphy is known for her unique and creative fashion style. Electronic Beats magazine called her "this adolescent century's true art-pop queen." They noted her music mixes different genres and moods, and her fashion sense has made her a style icon.

AllMusic described Róisín's music as "adventurous, omnivorous pop that blended influences as far-flung as disco and hot jazz." She has been called "Ireland's queen of the avant-garde." Her music combines pop, house, and disco with an artistic touch and amazing visual performances.

Music critic Mark Fisher said Róisín's music connects to a style called glam rock, like bands such as Roxy Music and artists like Grace Jones and Björk. He noted her focus on creating a special stage personality. Róisín's voice is described as distinctive, smoky, and jazzy. She said her performances are "a bit like The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Her audiences often dress up to match her spectacular outfits.

Personal Life

Róisín Murphy lives in Ibiza, Spain. Before that, she divided her time between London and Ireland. She has a daughter with British artist Simon Henwood. As of September 2015, Róisín is in a relationship with Italian producer Sebastiano Properzi, and they have a son together. Róisín has dyslexia.

Discography

Solo Albums

• Ruby Blue (2005)
• Overpowered (2007)
• Hairless Toys (2015)
• Take Her Up to Monto (2016)
• Róisín Machine (2020)
• Hit Parade (2023)

Albums with Moloko

• Do You Like My Tight Sweater? (1995)
• I Am Not a Doctor (1998)
• Things to Make and Do (2000)
• Statues (2003)

Tours

• Ruby Blue Tour (2005–2006)
• Overpowered Tour (2007–2008)
• Dj-Set Tour (2009–2014)
• Hairless Toys Tour (2015–2016)
• Take Her Up to Monto Tour (2016–2017)
• Róisín Machine Tour (2021–2022)
• Hit Parade Tour (2023–2024)

Awards and Nominations

Róisín Murphy and Moloko have received many awards and nominations for their music. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Róisín Murphy para niños