First Year on Earth
Austin, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014
Music
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Everyone's had it: That urge to sell everything you own and take to the road for a life of adventure and self-discovery. After a tragic loss, Ryan Murphy acted on that urge, and luckily for us, he took his guitar with him.
Fast forward a few years, add a couple of other talented musicians, and First Year on Earth was born.
With crystal clear vocals, upbeat down-home rhythms and well-crafted lyrics telling tales of life on the road, First Year on Earth is shaking things up on the roots scene. And in support of their self-titled EP, they're bringing their folksy/pop sound to Nashville.
The award-winning Austin trio will be at Mad Donna's TONIGHT with Noah Peterson and local bands Little Raven and North N South, and at The Bluebird Cafe's Sunday Spotlight on 7.12. -Caroline Bowman - The Deli Nashville
The inspirational band First Year on Earth has been traveling the South, spreading their feel-good message on the importance of living one’s life to the fullest potential. They are set to release their first album, First Year on Earth, on June 25.
The three-person band is made up of Australian singer Ryan Murphy, drummer Jimmy Milner, and bass player Kris Afflerbaugh. Murphy combines his knowledge of songwriting with Milner’s and Afflerbaugh’s background in jazz and country music.
Murphy brought the band together after witnessing the tragic death of his friend Lee Hudswell. After seeing how fast life can be taken away from someone, Murphy decided to uproot his life and chase his dreams. He created a blog called Last Year on Earth that aimed to inspire people to live the life they wanted. He documented his adventures, from moving to NYC to running a marathon.
After his time in New York, Murphy moved to Austin, Texas, where he met his fellow band members. One of the items on his bucket list was to write an album, which he can now check off.
First Year on Earth is about starting over and about experiencing new things, while not changing who you are. This important message can be seen in First Year’s song “Georgia.”
“Georgia” sounds like one of the songs people listen to when they are driving during a beautiful sunny day, windows down, and wind blowing through their hair. The sweet mix of gentle harmonious voices and country riffs from the string instruments will make the listener instantly happy. The lyrics talk about Murphy’s decision to move on, from the death of his friend, his home, and the city in order to achieve happiness.
“Best is Yet to Come” and “I Want To (I Do)” talk of the struggles of life. Not everything is always perfect or works out in the end. “Best is Yet to Come” starts out slow, with the simple strum of a guitar and Murphy’s organic voice. Then, the song bursts into a flurry of passionate emotions as Murphy expresses the struggles he faces.
“I Want To (I Do)" picks up jazz with gentle notes from the keyboard. It shows how people are imperfect and mistakes are made, but it is important to never live in regret and to not let the fear of making mistakes control one’s existence.
First Year on Earth plays nice tunes and teaches important lesson. Emotions are evident in each lyric and Murphy’s story can be interpreted in every song. The album will enlighten people and will show how precious life can be. - Celebrity Cafe
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
One of the
Austin Texas’ newest exports, First Year On Earth are “shaking up the root’s scene.”
Says TheDeli.com. “With hints of bluegrass, folk,
and a huge hit of americana stories, they have an upbeat, jaunty rhythm that’s
all at once irresistible”.
Their debut self-titled EP was released in June to widespread critical acclaim. Taking them on a their first US tour to the Midwest, which included an invitation to perform to a sell out crowd at the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville.
First Year On Earth is a collaboration between Ryan Murphy (acoustic guitar/vocals), Kris Afflerbaugh (upright bass/backing vocals), Matthew Read (lead guitar) and Jimmy Milner (drums), was born from one simple question: What would you do with your last year on earth?
Frontman Ryan Murphy knows what he'd do with his. After witnessing a friend tragically lose his life, Ryan Murphy sold what he had and hit the road with nothing but a backpack and a bucket list.
He has blogged about this experience and his blog has since gained attention across the globe. His story has landed him interviews on national morning television programs in his native Australia and a stack of online buzz. "I still can't believe the impact the blog has had," says Murphy. "It's been great sharing my story."
The top of Ryan's bucket list was to become a recording artist in New York, but after moving there in mid-2012, he found the big city lifestyle didn't suit his nature. He now calls Austin, TX home, and it's there that Murphy met his fellow musicians who would together become First Year On Earth.
The quartet's sound spawns from Murphy's love of organic songwriting and Aflerbaugh, Reads, Milner's backgrounds in Jazz and Country. The new EP also features longtime friend and acclaimed violinist Michael McClintock, who has worked with Gotye, Crowded House and Celtic Crossroads.
First Year on Earth are excited to round out the rest of 2015 writing and performing around Texas. 2016 will see the release of their first full length album.
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