Eddie From Ohio: Julie Murphy Wells
By Alex Teitz
Eddie From Ohio is a four member band that whose infectious folk style draws the listener in, whether from their new CD, Quick or in a live performance. The band consists of Julie Murphy Wells on vocals, Robbie Schaefer on vocals & guitar, Eddie Hartness on percussion and vocals, and Michael Clem on guitar, bass, harp, vocals, etc…Eddie From Ohio has been together ten years and knows what works and what doesn’t. Quick works on many levels from the title track, to humorous “Let’s Get Mesolithic” to the wake song “Tom Burleigh’s Dead.” The band has gained a strong following of Edheads, and is sure to make more with this album. FEMMUSIC was able to speak (via e-mail) with Julie Murphy Wells about the band, and Quick. For more information visit eddiefromohio.com
FEMMUSIC: Can you describe your songwriting technique? How is a song shaped by the group?
JW: Robbie and Mike do most of the writing. They usually come to the band with completed lyrics and completed melody. This is where the creative process really kicks in. We’ll all listen and I’ll start figuring harmony arrangements and Eddie will begin to hear all sorts of different beats, percussive toys, etc. If it’s a song that I will be singing the lead on, Robbie and Mike are both great about letting me sort of improvise on the lead….if I feel there’s a better way to phrase or a different melody that may work better, they’re both very open-minded about changes. The two songs that I wrote on Quick are both accapella. I pretty much figured everything out ahead of time, wrote in down musically, and then taught each part to the guys.
FEMMUSIC: What was the best experience making QUICK?
JW: We went to a different studio and went with a different approach…..the songs were very new, some of them had not even been finished yet or performed in a live setting. I think this added to the freshness of the project. On each of the other discs, the songs had been played out before and were well-polished.
FEMMUSIC: What was the biggest challenge making QUICK?
JW: Probably the same as the best experience. While it was fresh and new recording these newer songs, it also was a challenge to not make them sound unrehearsed or unfamiliar.
FEMMUSIC: How did you find Billy Wolf, and what did he bring to the project?
JW: Billy was the sound engineer at a wonderful listening club in Alexandria Va., called the Birchmere. We played there for the first time in 1992, and continue to play there still. Billy liked our stuff from the get-go and we formed a great friendship with him. When we talked about making our first full length recording, we approached Billy about working with us. That cassette was A Juggler on His Blades and it was released in December 92. Billy has been with us ever-since. He is an amazing engineer and producer. He has bionic ears, which is a huge plus in dealing with back-up vocals. The harmonies must be tight and Billy ensures that they are. He also helps a lot with arrangements before going into the studio.
FEMMUSIC: The song “Great Day” sounds almost like gospel. What can you tell me about that song (what inspired, how made, etc…)
JW: We perform several gospel songs in our group, basically because it’s a great showcasing format that fits well with our four voices. In 1999, we were asked to perform at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale NY, and we were scheduled to sing at a gospel wake-up call on Sunday morning. When I heard this, I felt compelled to write an original gospel tune for our group….we didn’t have one. I started writing it in March, 99. My husband and I had just come back from a vacation in St. Croix, where we had gotten certified in scuba diving. We were just starting to try and get pregnant for the first time. I was playing at a sold show in New York City. I felt VERY lucky at the moment. My life was going so well and I had to remind myself that I must be thankful. Faith has always been a strong part of my life and prayer and praise, I should say, seemed to become much stronger to me. I was tired of hearing complaints from friends about petty stuff…..actually the same stuff that I had been complaining about. I wanted to just scream at the top of my lungs, “Wake up people!!!!! Life is Good!!!” So I wrote “Great Day”. Now more than ever, I thank God and know that I am blessed to be where I am.
FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music business?
JW: Radio, radio, radio!! It’s such a shame that you only get your songs played on radio if you sell a zillion records…..well commercial radio that is.
FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music business have you been discriminated against?
JW: No
FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
JW: Play, play, play….as much as you can….openers, open mic nights, whatever, just try
and get performing experience under your belt…..work hard and do as much as you can, yourself.