Murray A. Lightburn is a Canadian musician and composer, best known as the lead vocalist and principal songwriter for The Dears.[1]
Murray A. Lightburn | |
|---|---|
 Lightburn performing with The Dears in London, July 13, 2007. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Montréal, QC |
| Genres | indie rock |
| Occupation | singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Lightburn has been called "the black Morrissey" due to his vocal similarity (and shared penchant for somewhat dark lyrics) to the former The Smiths lead singer.[2] Incidentally, The Dears toured as Morrissey's opening act during Morrissey's solo tour in 2006.[3]
In 2013 he released the solo album Mass: Light.[4] His second solo album, Hear Me Out, was released in 2019.[5]
His album Once Upon a Time in Montreal was longlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize.[6]
As a composer, Murray has produced original music for films including Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story,[7] I Like Movies, and Too Much Sleep. Other credits include scores for TV series Near or Far (to be released in 2024 on CBC Gem), Black Life: Untold Stories, and original soundtrack for We Happy Few including the theme for the Lightbearer DLC.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- 2013 - Murray A. Lightburn's MASS:LIGHT
- 2019 - Hear Me Out
- 2023 - Once Upon a Time in Montreal
Singles
edit- 2018 Belleville Blues
Personal life
editIn 2005, Lightburn married fellow band member, keyboardist/singer Natalia Yanchak.[8] They have two children named Neptune and Apollo Lightburn. Murray is also a film photography enthusiast.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Murray Lightburn embraces the loneliness". Montreal Gazette, August 16, 2013.
- ^ "Beyond Black Morrissey: The Dears hark back to warm and sunny days". National Post, October 2, 2015.
- ^ "The Dears Diva-nize Morrissey". Stereogum, October 25, 2006.
- ^ "Murray A. Lightburn – MASS: LIGHT". Exclaim!, August 19, 2013.
- ^ "Exclaim! | Canada's Authority on Music, Film and Entertainment". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "2023 Polaris Music Prize long list: Feist, Jessie Reyez and more". CBC Music, June 13, 2023.
- ^ "Two Canadian documentaries heading to Austin's prestigious film showcase. World premieres of Yuqi Kang's 7 Beats Per Minute and Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee's Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story at SXSW". www.canada.ca. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Never Destroy Us: An Interview with Natalia Yanchak of the Dears". PopMatters, March 22, 2011.
- ^ https://www.flickr.com/photos/masstolight/ [bare URL]
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