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Kory Murphy & Danielle French Conclude Midwest Tour at Untitled

Kory Murphy and Danielle French perform a song recently penned during Holiday Music Motel’s Love on Holiday at Untitled Used & Rare Books. Photo by Len Villano.

“I remember I was booked to play Untitled for a gig at Steel Bridge [Songfest],” recalls Danielle French, sitting in an armchair, dwarfed by high shelves containing hundreds of multi-colored books. “I thought, ‘What? A bookstore?’ But then I came here and was like, ‘Whoa!’ And Steve had some honey whiskey for me.” Owner Steven Link throws a thumbs up from behind the register, French and fellow musician Kory Murphy laugh. “Now, I’m like, ‘Book me at Untitled!’”

Murphy, who lives above the bookstore adds, “This is one of my favorite venues.” A song from his album, Quiet Cities, was even recorded in the bookstore.

Touring together throughout the Midwest since early March, the musicians will conclude their tour at Untitled Used & Rare Books on March 22 at 7:30 pm, in the city whose thriving music scene brought the duo together.

“We met at The Holiday Music Motel last year,” explains Murphy. A musician all his life, Illinois native Murphy traveled up to Door County for a solitary camping trip. “I didn’t know people actually lived up here,” admits Murphy. “I came up here with my guitar and people were like, ‘You gotta meet pat [mAcdonald]! You gotta meet pat!’ So I stopped in the Holiday Music Motel, introduced myself and we ended up jamming all night.”

Alberta native French’s life also changed when she met musician and creative director of Holiday Music Motel, mAcdonald.

“I was at a festival in Nashville, of all places, and didn’t know anyone and ended up meeting pat and melaniejane,” recalls French. Spring of last year, French “was headed this way and asked them if there were any gigs around Valentine’s Day. They asked if I could stay for a whole week.” Now the Holiday’s annual songwriting and performing events are a “priority” for French, who is also helping plan this year’s Steel Bridge Songfest.

During Holiday Music Motel’s inaugural Love on Holiday songwriting event, Murphy and French were paired together. Murphy’s sound has a neo-folksy rootsy feel while French’s original tunes showcase a blend of alternative, folk, and rock. “We have wrote a few songs together, and will probably write a few more during the tour,” says Murphy.

French, who also plays drums and accordion, tunes her guitar. Photo by Len Villano.

The musicians challenge one other to explore their musical talents and abilities, something they practice at Door County’s many open mics and the Holiday’s songwriting events.

“I wrote my first punk song last year. I didn’t know it was in me,” laughs French, who also recently picked up the accordion. “I started as a drummer,” she admits, “and learned guitar out of necessity. I taught myself to play the accordion last year and some [Love on Holiday participants] asked me to use the accordion for their song ‘Loose Lips Ship Sinks.’ I barely knew what I was doing and then ended up singing half the song!”

Murphy hones his musical skills by participating in the variety of open mics. “It’s like practice for me,” he says.

In fact, both musicians host weekly open mics – French leads an open mic on Saturdays at Mojo Rosa’s in Egg Harbor while Murphy leads Writer’s Night at Holiday Music Motel on Thursdays.

Door County concertgoers can catch French and Murphy at each Holiday Music Motel’s songwriting events – Love on Holiday, Steel Bridge Songfest, and Dark Songs – and at various venues throughout county.

“I’m still getting acquainted with the area,” smiles French, “but the live music scene is great!”

“It’s why I live here,” adds Murphy.

Untitled Used & Rare Books is located at 20 N Third Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. For more information call 920.746.3171. CDs will be available for purchase at the performance.

To learn more about Kory Murphy, visit http://www.korymurphy.com or search ‘Kory Murphy’ on Facebook.

To learn more about Danielle French, visit http://www.daniellefrench.com or search ‘Danielle French’ on Facebook.