The Local Spins series continues with recordings that most influenced the frontman for Grand Rapids indie-rock’s Major Murphy, from the Beatles to Breathe Owl Breathe. Sample all of the albums.
Working on a ‘New Pile of Songs’: Jacob Bullard of Major Murphy. (Photo/Kendra Petersen-Kamp)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians can trace their inspiration to key recordings that captivated them and influenced their own music. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases recordings that changed the world for Grand Rapids guitarist and singer Jacob Bullard of Major Murphy. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks, plus tracks from Major Murphy’s latest release.
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Jacob Bullard, Jacki Warren, Chad Houseman and Brian Voortman are the nucleus of the Grand Rapids indie-rock band Major Murphy. They’ve recorded two albums and are readying for a third. (Read about their sophomore release, “Access,” which was released last April.)
“Thankfully I’ve been able to write a lot. I’m excited about the stuff I’m writing,” says Bullard. “I’ve got a good pile of songs. I’ve been doing recording at home with my partner Jacki, bandmate Chad. I’m hoping to share some of it soon. I’m not putting a lot of energy into the live scene.”
1. The Beatles, “Dig A Pony” from “Let It Be” (1970) – I love that song. It’s one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar when I was a teen starting out. I didn’t get it (at first). What is it with this band? As a teen I felt obligated to roll my eyes. I remember calling Michael O’Shea at the oldies station (in Traverse City where he grew up). He’d do requests. I said can you play it (“Dig A Pony”)? He played some typical Top 40 Beatles song. As time goes on I’ve become a huge Beatles fan. I’m loving the Peter Jackson documentary. The “Let It Be” album is so good. It was the lowest point in their collaboration. I loved how raw it was, like our band.
Listen: “Dig a Pony”
2. Breathe Owl Breathe, “Magic Central” (2010) – They’re from East Jordan, Mich. I saw them at a coffee shop in Traverse City. They turned me on to the possibility of making music that was a little less commercial. The folk tradition with a little psychedelic influence. They did indie releases on cassettes; I was a collector of them.
Listen: “Own Stunts”
3. Here We Go Magic, “A Different Ship” (2012) – This album was a pretty pivotal album specifically when we were just starting Major Murphy. I think part of this is the way it has a fusion of different rock and pop influences and sounds from classic to contemporary. That was exciting for us to hear and inspiring to try and emulate in our own way.
Listen: “A Different Ship”
Currently Loving: Bob Dylan, “Rough and Rowdy Ways” (2020) – Dylan is another favorite. I saw him in November. “Rough and Rowdy Ways” is an absolute masterpiece. It’s very inspirational. I think it’s an amazing piece of work. I’ve been listening to a lot of his stuff. There’s a crazy amount of material in his catalog. “Jokerman” was a song that hit me this last year from his “Infidels” album. It got me back into Dylan. It was 30 or 40 years into his career, but the album got overlooked because of his career. If anyone else had done it, it would be heralded. I feel like he and McCartney are underrated.
Listen: “I Contain Multitudes”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Jacob Bullard’s Playlist on Spotify
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