Pete Murray
Pete Murray. Photo: Ian Laidlaw
Australian musician Pete Murray is no stranger to the spotlight, & he’s back with a new single, a national tour, & a unique way for fans to connect with him on a personal level. In a recent interview with Pario, Murray shared his thoughts on the inspiration behind his latest song, the creative process, & what it’s like to tour the country.
The Inspiration Behind “Wouldn't It Be Good”
Murray's new single, Wouldn't It Be Good, is more than just another track - it’s a reflection on the state of the world today. "The song is about looking at what we're doing & where we're going," he explained. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we were a bit nicer to each other? It would make the world a much better place.”
Drawing from his observations of global unrest & everyday tensions, Murray expressed concern over the rising anger he sees in people. He said, “Everyone’s so caught up &... with so much anger these days. I don’t know what it is... just take a chill pill & take it easy." According to Murray, road rage & similar behaviours are indicative of a broader societal issue, one he hopes the song can address by encouraging people to "learn to sort of love each other a bit more."
When asked if he had doubts about the song during the creative process, Murray admitted he wasn’t always sure of its potential. “I think I liked the song, but I wasn’t sure whether other people would,” he said. It wasn’t until he collaborated with his nephew, Dylan Cattanach, that the track began to come together. “We put this together, & even though it was rough in a demo, it just had this really nice vibe.”
The Journey to the Final Cut
For Murray, the journey from concept to final production was anything but straightforward. He shared that even some of his collaborators were initially unsure about the track. “Luke Palmer, who I worked with in the studio, at first wasn’t really getting it,” he recalled. However, after laying down a bassline, Murray said, “Suddenly the whole song just sort of fell into place.”
Murray's approach to keeping things fresh was also a key part of the creative process. “I’m always trying to... kind of keep things fresh & so that it’s not the same, not doing the same old same old.” He pointed out that the rhythmic elements of the song, combined with the acoustic groove, helped bring a new flavour to his music. Fans have even compared the song to John Lennon's Imagine, a comparison that Murray doesn’t take lightly. “It’s really nice to have the name John Lennon come up as something on one of your songs,” he said.
Life on the Road & Connecting with Fans
As he gears up for his national tour, Murray reflected on what he loves most about performing live. “I love being on the road, I love playing live,” he shared. For Murray, the energy of his band & the dynamic nature of their performances are what make his shows stand out. “Everyone that sees the band says the same thing—it just blows them away all the time.”
This upcoming tour isn’t just about Wouldn't It Be Good; Murray is bringing his entire catalogue along for the ride. “I’ve got to play a lot of those old songs,” he said, acknowledging that fans love to sing along to his classics. However, he’s also excited to introduce some new material. “For me, the new single will be played, & probably a couple of the new songs as well.”
One unique aspect of the tour is the Play At Your Place competition, where a lucky fan will win a private show in their own backyard. Murray is no stranger to this concept, having done it during the early days of his career. “It’s a lot of fun because they invite their friends over, & it’s just a great afternoon,” he said. For Murray, the intimacy of these shows is what makes them special. “You can see the excitement that they have in meeting you, but not only meeting you, having you play in their backyard.”
As Murray prepares to hit the road, he remains focused on making each performance memorable for his fans. “I do my best to try & make sure that everyone has a great time,” he said. And with a mix of new & old songs, Murray is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience to audiences across the country.
Follow Pete’s creative journey at www.petemurray.com
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