Caleb J. Murphy - “My Own Shadow”

Seeking independence from a religious upbringing and middle child syndrome, Caleb J. Murphy could have done a lot of different things as a means to find himself. But, lucky for us, he sought refuge in writing music. And once you hear “My Own Shadow,” you will see what we mean.

When it comes to indie folk songs, we prefer the ones that slip into your skull via earphones, washing away the day and forcing a good, hard look inward. And that’s exactly what you get with “My Own Shadow,” as Murphy tells the tale of realizing you’re allowed to be your own person, without the need for anyone else’s approval.

The guitar here is fantastic– not an acoustic like most of the folk songs that roll through here, but not overbearing in the slightest and very tastefully played. After a couple bars, Murphy’s vocal enters, as raw and honest as can be while sharing vulnerable moments from his life that have led him to the aforementioned realization: he has become the truest version of himself.

Once the harmonies arrive on the hook, “My Own Shadow” will win you over completely. Worth noting here is that Murphy doesn’t go for the obvious and drop some sort of beat in an attempt to push the song forward– instead, he relies on the anticipation that he’s built through his storytelling, which is a tactic we wish more songwriters would observe. When it works, it works very well, as you will witness once you press play.

And for those of you still not completely satiated, we would also like to offer his previous release, “Bless These Heavy Arms,” which comes complete with all of the ideal indie folk fixings. This one is primarily acoustic, with those sweet doubled vocals that we’ve all come to know and love, thanks to the likes of Bon Iver and Elliott Smith. The track also features some of the finest vocal harmonies known to man, as well as a fantastic rhythm that hosts a vintage sounding bass and drums. It is quite savory, so you’re gonna wanna add it you favorite playlist.

-TM