Chris Murphy and the Cinematic Sounds of Seven Crows

May 23, 2026

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Making a Scene Present an Interview with Chris Murphy of Seven Crows!

Seven Crows is the visionary project of Los Angeles–based violinist, composer, and producer Chris Murphy. Built around shimmering sustain lines, fluid legato phrasing, and live looping, Seven Crows creates music that feels both cinematic and deeply personal—like a wide landscape that still speaks in a whisper. His 2025 album Powers of Observation (Teahouse Records) captures that signature approach in full, inviting listeners into a post-rock–tinted journey that’s expansive, intimate, and constantly evolving.

Murphy was born just outside New York City into an Irish-Italian family and grew up surrounded by the traditional music of his community—sounds that sparked an early fascination with global musical languages. That curiosity expanded as he fell in love with rock and roots icons like Lou Reed, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, and Richard Thompson, then widened further through formal study at Simon’s Rock of Bard College, where he was introduced to Turkish and Indian music. At Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music, he honed his compositional voice, building the foundation for a career that now lives comfortably between tradition, experimentation, and modern sound design.

A natural multi-instrumentalist, Murphy taught himself percussion, guitar, mandolin, and various Eastern instruments, but it was picking up the violin at age 22 that truly unlocked his voice. Since then, the violin has become his primary tool for storytelling—capable of carrying folk memory, experimental texture, and improvisational freedom all at once. In Seven Crows, he uses it like a lead instrument and an atmosphere generator, layering loops and harmonics into pieces that feel alive in real time.

On stage, Murphy’s performances are driven by spontaneity and connection. With an engaging presence and a fearless approach to improvisation, he has captivated audiences across more than 40 U.S. states and internationally in England, Ireland, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Alongside his growing catalog of solo releases, he is also recognized for acclaimed work as a composer for film and television.

With Seven Crows, Chris Murphy continues to push beyond genre and into feeling—music that shifts shape as it plays, blending global influences with modern textures and emotional honesty. It’s sound as storytelling: immersive, unpredictable, and quietly transformative.