Murzik

Murzik is a Dark Folk / neofolk band formed in Minneapolis, Minneapolis in 2003. The band started out by experimenting with mixing old eastern European folk and midwest Americana sounds together to form a sound which they coined as Dark Folk. Murzik claims its influences from more traditional artists such as Vladimir Vysotsky, Leonard Cohen, and Édith Piaf which can be seen in Murzik's romanticized soundscapes and dark poetic lyrics. The band has often been compared with other groups such as DeVotchKa and Gogol Bordello although Murzik's music steers more towards a darker sound reminiscent of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen.

Murzik started out in 2003 when Bryan Steenerson recorded a solo album under the name Murzik, a reference to a common Russian name for cats. The album contained dark lyrics, minor keys and various instruments such as accordions, glockenspeils, mandolin, and others. Upon hearing the album, long time friend and accordionist Nathan Simar, was grabbed by the music, and thus Murzik was born.

In 2008, Murzik was the primary feature of NPR's All Things Considered. The interview was based around Murzik's origins and their style of what Murzik calls Dark Folk. The radio show was played nationally and is still available on MPR's web site. Later on in that same year Murzik got the opportunity to open up for Mumiy Troll, a famous Russian pop band. In 2012 the group was featured on a tribute album to Vic Chesnutt which was pressed and sponsored by Rock the Cause. The band received a chance to play SXSW and has been going strong since then.

RIYL: DeVotchKa, Gogol Bordello, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen
TRY: #1, 2, 4, 5

Download Full Album Here:
https://www.piratepirate.com/downloads/

More Info Here:
https://www.facebook.com/Murzikmusic
http://www.murzikmusic.net
https://twitter.com/Murzikmusic
http://www.last.fm/music/Murzik
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murzik