Murder by Death
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5,167,018 plays (148,158 listeners)
Bloomington IN, United States (2000 – present)
Indiana’s Murder by Death (formerly known as Little Joe Gould) layers the vocal sounds of an old saloon with the haunting strings of a Hungarian folk dance and the hard driving rhythms of pure rock ‘n’ roll, producing what Stuff magazine has called “lush, orchestrated songs,” somehow simultaneously reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Radiohead. Added to that thick and intriguing sound are a series of dark and ironic lyrics, combining the mood and tone of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with the narrative force of The Decemberists or a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Adam Turla fills out these sometimes frightening, sometimes beautiful lyrics by conjuring up a cast of character voices, allowing the songs to speak with the force of the characters themselves, and providing the listener with a sense of ensemble unique in rock music.
But this ensemble feel is not only the result of Turla’s vocal playfulness, but of the cohesive playing of the band itself. Sarah Balliet channels her Kentucky bluegrass roots through the skilled hands of a concert cellist, playing point and counterpoint to the lyrics and guitars with magnificent grace and style. Matt Armstrong’s bass guitar provides the rhythmic framework of the band, but also takes the lead with surprising frequency, guiding Murder by Death into driving highs and brooding lows. And Alex Schrodt’s drumsticks almost dance across the skins, giving the band what the Chicago Reader called “a rhythm section Nick Cave or The Faint would die for.” The result is a fascinating slice of American Gothic, replete with trail rides, whiskey shots and Old Scratch himself.
But this ensemble feel is not only the result of Turla’s vocal playfulness, but of the cohesive playing of the band itself. Sarah Balliet channels her Kentucky bluegrass roots through the skilled hands of a concert cellist, playing point and counterpoint to the lyrics and guitars with magnificent grace and style. Matt Armstrong’s bass guitar provides the rhythmic framework of the band, but also takes the lead with surprising frequency, guiding Murder by Death into driving highs and brooding lows. And Alex Schrodt’s drumsticks almost dance across the skins, giving the band what the Chicago Reader called “a rhythm section Nick Cave or The Faint would die for.” The result is a fascinating slice of American Gothic, replete with trail rides, whiskey shots and Old Scratch himself.
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Featured Tracks
| FULL TRACK Album Preview Podcast | 26:14 |
| FULL TRACK I'm Afraid of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe | 3:44 |
Top Albums
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Red Of Tooth And Claw
Murder by Death
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In Bocca Al Lupo
Murder by DeathBuy- Download Album
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Good Morning, Magpie
Murder by Death Buy- Download Album
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Like The Exorcist, But More Breakdancing
Murder by Death Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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cereboso wrote:
Check out Murder By Death on the Violitionist Sessions. Free download of 3 songs from the acoustic session including interview. http://violitionist.com/2012/02/murder-by-death/
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maplebreather wrote:
it's all good, but it's never been "who will survive and what will be left of them" good
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atsom655321 wrote:
New band photo, and all the current members are there, vote up!! http://www.last.fm/music/Murder+by+Death/+images/73860430
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ryantheguy wrote:
beautiful, as always
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Forlong wrote:
If you discovered them through "Good Morning, Magpie" (like me), make sure to check out "Red of Tooth and Claw" - it's far superior, both lyrically and musically.
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James_Hartley wrote:
I was listening to Nick Cave and picked this by random without knowing what it is...talk about weird subconscious serendipity. I can only infer the universe itself wants you to listen to this.
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tomislast wrote:
@Vukurutu hell yes. it's been far too long
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njiiiiiiiiihaaa wrote:
I can't stop listening to this amazing band
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Vukurutu wrote:
Hmmmm, they just started recording a new album :)
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AlyssaRouge wrote:
WHY did it take me 11 years to find this band? Truly wonderful. [2]
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TheFatChocobo wrote:
Tonyphase: JEALOUS. I'll be seeing Gov't Mule which is a fantastic deal too, but MBD partying up New Year's must be incomparable.
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JessBecks wrote:
WHY did it take me 11 years to find this band? Truly wonderful.
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electricido wrote:
Still loving Murder By Death.
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the_red_shoes wrote:
WOW.
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FoolmeThrice wrote:
<33 love them so much, really
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Tonyphase wrote:
Man, my new years in chicago seeing these guys will be awesome.
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Raelis wrote:
COME. TO. POLAND.
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theevilone2 wrote:
I wanna see them live so bad :(
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heroesdietrying wrote:
I'm so glad I own Like the Exorcist on vinyl. I've seen these guys around 11 times and they never disappoint. What an incredible band.
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FoolmeThrice wrote:
such fucking brooooooos
Videos
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Play
047 - Murder By Death - Foxglove
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Play
As Long As There Is Whiskey In…
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Play
Spring Break 1899
1 shout
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Play
'52 Ford / THEY SHOOT MUSIC
Events
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Feb
22
Murder by Death
National Hotel, Geelong, Australia
1 going
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Feb
23
Murder by Death
HiFi Bar and Ballroom, Melbourne, Australia
7 going
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Feb
24
Murder by Death
Hermann's Bar, Sydney, Australia
5 going
News
MBD HOLIDAY SALE! belt buckles, reduced boxed set prices, hoodies and more!
5 Nov 2011 | from blog.myspace.com/murderbydeath
MBD Holiday Sales and new items! Belt Buckles, Hoodies, Boxed
sets.http://www.murderbydeath.com/merch.php is having a big Holiday
sale. Choose from these bitchin' deals.
…
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MBD HOLIDAY SALE! belt buckles, reduced boxed set prices, hoodies and more!
5 Nov 2011 | from blog.myspace.com/murderbydeath -
20 Aug 2011 | from blog.myspace.com/murderbydeath -
20 Aug 2011 | from blog.myspace.com/murderbydeath
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Recent Activity
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trust_muse, firefirecz11, mikaella147 and 3 other people added Murder by Death to their libraries. 2 hours ago
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jurlacher added Murder by Death to the lineup of Murder by Death at Call The Office. Wednesday morning
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tinnitusattacks, BigMeatyClaws, timbuel and 2 other people added Murder by Death to their libraries. Tuesday evening
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auralexplosion updated the German wiki page for Murder by Death. (diff) Sunday evening
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joaquin_honest, wnicolek, Will-wild and 9 other people added Murder by Death to their libraries. Sunday afternoon
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DarkLordBaudish tagged Murder by Death with rock and indie. last week
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jsilliker, sammyyiam, westcoastH2O and 18 other people added Murder by Death to their libraries. last month
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wrrrrts added Murder by Death to the lineup of Murder by Death at Woodland. last month
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wrrrrts added Murder by Death to the lineup of Murder by Death at Hermann's Bar. last month
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wrrrrts added Murder by Death to the lineup of Murder by Death at HiFi Bar and Ballroom. last month
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