Lansdale Station
Southern Roots meets the New San Francisco Sound.
Formed over the summer of 2005, Lansdale Station is a "fundamental pleasure group", combining high energy stage interaction with finely crafted songs from the heart. Blending country blues with Bay Area psychedelia, this award winning group reminds us of what made the San Francisco Sound so special to begin with. Voted #7 in Jambase's Top 10 Albums of 2009 an a NME video award and more, Lansdale Station continues to be lauded by Nationwide and Bay Area top critics and DJ's. The group's dead solid songwriting and crisp musicianship is highlighted by the character filled voices of Judge & Lauren Murphy along with red hot guitar work by multi-instrumentalist, Dave Zirbel (pedal steel/lead guitar/lap
steel). Compared to the Jefferson Airplane, Buddy & Julie Miller, and Gillian Welch/David Rawlings, Lansdale Station captures the heart and soul of their audiences. This group pulled together with powerful support over 2010 & 2011, when lead vocalist, Judge Murphy was diagnosed with liver cancer , awaiting a transplant. That fall, The Judge received his miraculous 'gift of life' & is recovering well. The band looks to the future with more love of life & music than ever before. Lansdale Station will release their 2nd 'official' and highly anticipated Album in 2012. Catch it now, because "The likes of this talent may never pass this way again."(Don Aters)
"This sweeps you up with a readiness and confidence that takes your feet out from underneath you." Dennis Cook/ Jambase Chief Editor
-"Lauren & Judge Murphy w/ Lansdale Station are one of the best unsigned
bands in the Bay Area" ......... Ronn Owens KGO Radio
-"Excellent!"....... WWOZ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Radio
-"Bawdy & Poignant....Riveting Performance Art...."The Oxford American
Magazine.
-"Krush Wine Country Favorites!" Frank Hayhurst Owner Zone Music, DJ KRSH
Radio Sonoma, Co.
-"Anyone who can tackle a Fairport Convention Song has enough stones to
command my attention" DJ KPIG Radio
Lauren Murphy - Composer / Vocals / Guitar / Choreography
Compared to Sandy Denny, Emmy Lou Harris, & Grace Slick, with the passion of Janis Joplin, Lauren is unlike anyone. Brassy, sensitive, & powerful, she reinvents her roots and is an Artist's artist.
Lauren Murphy is no stranger to the stage. In fact, she'll tell you it's where she feels most at home. Schooled from the age of 3, Lauren was rigorously trained in dance, theatre, voice, piano, classical theory, and art. By the age of 11, she had already built up a scrap book of awards an adult would be proud of, including nomination for BRLT Best New Coming Actress, competing with Veterans in their 30's & 40's. The daughter of a Louisiana politician, Lauren learned early that 'all the word is a stage'. Her multi-artistic abilities took on a life of their own and by the time she was 17, her many talents had landed boastful accolades: performing at NY's 'Carnegie Hall' along side conductor, John Rutter & the NY Phil Harmonic, a modeling contract w/ Esprit, work w/ MTV Choreographer Frank Hatchet’s NY Dance Program, Joe Tremain & his then young dance prodigy instructor Barry Lather (Janet Jackson/Sting/Usher), 2 Tours to Bermuda & Hawaii w/ American All Star Dance Troop, a guest vocal spot w/ the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and numerous other awards in all genre's of the arts. As a young adult, Lauren split her time between the intellectual backdrop of LSU and the streets of New Orleans. The magic of the Big Easy was a force brimming with the full spectrum of humanity. Befriended by street musicians and sidewalk philosophers, Lauren haunted Uptown, The Quarter, Tipitina’s, The Maple Leaf, Check Point Charlies, breathing in the essence of the city. Her path would soon collide with local New Orleans musician, Grayson Capps. His shot gun house became a pivital destination in her life. These times were featured in the movie 'A Love Song for Bobby Long', staring John Travolta & Scarlet Johansen. The black sheep of her family, life in Louisiana became a pressure cooker, yet hard times couldn't stop her. Lauren continued at LSU, where she had the good fortune to work with London Shakespear Theatre Director, Barry Kyle, NPR Poet MacCurdy Distinguished Professor of English & Friend, Andrei’ Codrescu, as well as Mississippi Poet Laureate Dr. Maya Angelo. These pivotal personalities taught her the importance of free form art ( and patience tolerating her infant daughter in class). During this time, this young artist and mother, recorded with Cajun Folk-writer, Michael Millet. Their CD, was later released on Louisiana Music Factory Records(2000). Feeling the call of the West, Lauren came to Northern California in the mid -90’s, baby in tow. Skilled in Music, Art, Literature, Theatre’, & Dance, she moved to the coastal hamlet of Arcata, where she became a sensation in the Folk Rock Band, ‘DELPHINIUM BLUE’. A North Country Favorite, the female fronted band played all the notable festivals & radio shows to overflowing college audiences. This is when she met Judge Murphy, her soulmate and the man who would forever change her destiny. She relocated with him to the Bay Area, and formed ‘THE HOUSELEVELERS’. A very gifted singer / songwriter /guitarist, she has been heralded by a number of Industry Greats. ‘ THE HOUSELEVELERS’, achieved fame in the late 90’s, gigging at notable West Coast Venues like : ‘THE MARITIME HALL’, ‘SWEETWATER’, ‘ OREGON COUNTRY FAIR’, THE FAIRFAX FESTIVAL’, & ‘MYSTIC THEATRE’, w/ line-ups including Terry Haggerty ( Sons of Champlain), Vince Littleton (Merl Saunders), Doug Harman (Bela Fleck), and Judge Murphy (ZERO). Lauren also sang vocals aside her husband, Judge, in ZERO from 1998 to 2000.
Following her heart, Lauren divides her time singing, writing, and composing independently w/ her husband, Judge, and other Bay Talents, using words guitar & piano as her mediums. She enjoys her main job as 'Mom', & volunteers in the community when ever she can. Their band, LANSDALE STATION , is a melding of true roots music and a culmination of her vast talent & experiences. A woman of impressive stature, Lauren stands up to the critics where chops & originality live. Her style is varied, her writing ability vast, and her vivacity infectious.
Lauren’s 2nd CD, ‘MAGNOLIA HEART’, recorded, mixed, & mastered @ THE PLANT STUDIOS, Sausalito, Ca., has been described as "triumphant" & a "musical direct hit". Her self produced collaboration with husband Judge Murphy, the eponymous Cd "Lansdale Station" is her most cohesive project to date.
Judge Murphy - Vocals / Producer / Collaborative Writer
A third generation Bay Area native, Judge Murphy began his musical career in 1965 as lead vocalist in the ‘LOST & FOUND’, a band of Redwood High school kids with a passion for rock & roll. These were times of the British Musical explosion on the American scene, & bands like The Byrds, Dylan, & The Airplane, Dead, & Quicksilver, right here at home. With this vast palate of musical influence, ‘The Judge’ set out on a path that would gain him great musical acclaim. Playing the rec. hall & frat house circuit of the 60’s, Murphy & his band won numerous ‘Battle of the Band’ contests in the Bay Area. Judge , also a great drummer, played dual roles as singer / drummer , in a number of bands that he captained through the 1980’s , including MURPHY’S LAW.
Scouted by a number of musical giants, ‘THE JUDGE’, had the great pleasure of sharing the stage with such notables as BRUCE HORNSBY, CLARANCE CLEMONS, ‘Stone’s’ piano man NICKY HOPKINS, JOHN CIPOLLINA, & DAVID BYRNE. It was his association & singing w/ John Cipollina on a tune penned by John, called “Hired Hand”, that Murphy got an audition with the Bay Area Band, ZERO. According to co-founder & leader, GREG ANTON, he & STEVE KIMOCK were sold on Murphy after he sang one word ; ‘Catalina’. At that time, GRATEFUL DEAD lyricist ROBERT HUNTER had penned 5 songs to music written by Steve Kimock & Greg Anton, but they lacked melodies. Hunter was blown away at Murphy‘s ability to create melodies with his lyrics, adding to Kimock’s & Anton’s music, birthing what are now known as Judge’s signature songs. He went so far as to say, “They are Judge’s children” Inspired, Hunter wrote more. Hunter & JERRY GARCIA helped fund a live recording at THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL in San Francisco that was to become the CD ‘CHANCE IN A MILLION’ ( later picked up by A & M RECORDS). In June of 1994, Judge took some time off of the ZERO project to collaborate with virtuoso Canadian born guitarist, DAVE GOODMAN, & recorded a Cd for the German label TAXIM RECORDS. Back in Zero (April 95’) , THE JUDGE returned to 5 more years of nationwide touring ( where he met Lauren ), & recorded several more CD’s with the band. He also got back in the drum chair, supporting Lauren’s original compositions in their band, THE HOUSELEVELERS( 1997 -1999). Lauren shared the stage with Judge as background vocalist for ZERO from 1998-2000, until Steve Kimock left to pursue a career with “The Other Ones”.
Married in 1999, Judge & Lauren moved to the Hawaiian Islands to be together & write. A brief residency in New Orleans had them both bitten by the music bug, and they moved home to California, bringing a little of the gumbo along. In 2005, Judge began producing the CD, “MAGNOLIA HEART”; a body of work written predominantly by wife, Lauren Murphy. Recorded over 3 sessions at The Plant Studios, ‘LANSDALE STATION’ was born, as was a new dimension in the pair’s relationship. During 2006, The Judge joined Zero for a brief run of reunion shows, preferring to focus on his main vocally infused project , Lansdale Station. 2008 finds this blue-eyed soul singer and multi-talented artist more than inspired. The culmination of his 40 some years of experience in music are evident in his presence ,versatility, & delivery. Still in contact with Robert Hunter today, he said he is pleased that The Judge continues to sing these songs that he helped create, in any configuration. While his main musical attention remains on LANSDALE STATION, Judge spoke of his role in ZERO & his current outlook with Jambase ( Feb. of 2007). “The guys in Zero will always have a place in my musical history, & I am sure we will continue to do gigs when the timing works.”
The future may just be another golden age of music. Tune in…. Turn on…..
Dave Zirbel - all kinds of fabulous guitars and gagets (pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, lead guitar and more)
A true musician's musician, Dave has been gigging and recording on the pedal steel, lap steel, Dobro and electric guitar for 20 years. To his roster of experiences, he's held the guitar chair is style for The Mother Truckers, Commander Cody, Four Year Bender, I See Hawks in LA, and more, and the musical theater production Always...Patsy Cline. Lansdale Station is blessed by his multi-instrumental execution and joyous nature.
