“We all had played in various bands together in and around Grand Rapids,” guitarist and vocalist Jacob Bullard tells us, of how he and Jacki Warren (bass/vocals), Brian Voortman (drums) and Chad Houseman (guitar/keys/percussion) became a band. They named themselves Major Murphy from a book about the paranormal. “It comes from a book written by a French astrophysicist that examines UFO phenomena and cults. Major Murphy was an alias of someone in the book,” Bullard explains.
From Grand Rapids, Michigan himself, Bullard believes the city was just the right size to explore their talents as musicians. “Being a mid-sized city there is a pretty good happy medium between having opportunities but not being super competitive. It was really reasonably priced to live here for a while too and that made it easier to find time to practice and write. Now, it’s not so much, honestly, but when we first got here there was more artistic community and cross-pollination.”
Their new album Access, released in April, blends their signature indie-alt-pop sound with classic rock influences. “I think exploring more music from our adolescence was a part of this last album,” Bullard says. “With [our 2018 debut] No. 1 we were more driven to mine from vintage artists. Lyrically, I wanted to do something more personal and focused, and so a bigger production style like you might find with new wave artists or more contemporary alternative bands also felt right.”
Here’s a day in the life of Jacob Bullard.
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SPIN Sessions Presents: Major Murphy
Date September 30, 2021
Time I woke up About 8:45 a.m.
Every day starts with Breakfast.
Breakfast consists of Eggs, toast, I like making omelettes, Jacki makes great pancakes.
To get going Would you be surprised if I said a cup of coffee?
I don’t feel dressed Until I get dressed.
Before I start working Try to clean up a little.
Currently working Been experimenting with recording drums and getting different sounds, been working on a few tracks I recorded at home, mostly been writing on acoustic guitar a lot and not really demo-ing much, just trying to write and not dwell too much and keep the flow open. Also been enjoying spending time with a big book of Dylan songs.
But I’d really love to be Under the sea, in an octopus’s garden in the shade.
Book I’m reading Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now by Barry Miles.
If I had to play one album on repeat, it would be The White Album by the Beatles.
The perfect midday consists of A pastry and coffee.
To help get through the day I need A little help from my friends.
Not a day goes by without Despair.
My daydreams consist of Living in the country with a small assortment of livestock, a cow, some chickens, a few ducks, a couple pigs, a goat, a few dogs and a cat.
In a perfect day, in a perfect world It is enjoyed.
Currently in love with Jokermen podcast.
Hoping to make time to Watch movies.
By my bedside I always have A pile of clothes.
To help get through the night I have a cup of tea.
Bedtime Most nights if I’m asleep by 2:00 I have done a good job.
When I think about tomorrow, it’s always A sunny day, oh yeah.
