Mariana Murdocco

Interview conducted December 08, 2020

By Dan Locke

Mariana Murdocco, who goes by her surname, ‘Murdocco’ is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her style and musical output. With her velvety and sultry tones, Murdocco’s songs allude to personal experiences where she transmits deep emotions, immersing you into her world.

You are from Uruguay. What is your upbringing?

Yeah, I’m from Montevideo, I grew up between the city and our summer house by the sea surrounded by nature. I went to a Catholic school, which made me become more of a rebel, you know the more they want to control you as a child the wilder you become. But it was lovely, full of games, studying and adventures in nature with my family.

How did you discover music?

Murdocco
Murdocco

At home, there was always music. Every weekend my parents had a party with their friends or family where we sang Uruguayan folk songs, tango, and the unmissable Che Guevara song which was banned then. We used to play sports at the beach, then have big meals and sing and recite poetry, it was amazing…

How did you start to write music?

I always made-up songs, usually I would start playing some chords on the guitar and then I’d get in the zone, and boom, a song would come out of my head: it has always been a very spontaneous process. There is a lot of that in tango and folklore, so I guess I learned to improvise that way.

Describe your music

My music, is very visceral, is very personal, and melodic, I always say that I like to get in a sort of place where I can access this musical energy and then be able to make it work melodically and make it become a song. I guess it’s quite bold and emotional.

How did you form your band?

At the moment it’s only me. I collaborate with musicians when I need to, to play on my tracks or to play live, it is good doing it all on my own but I love collaborating too.

Why do you use just your last name?

I really like my family from my father’s side, I feel more represented by my Italian roots, for me it means big meals, lots of relatives, like a party. I also like the way Murdocco sounds and in a way, I feel proud of it. There aren’t that many Murdoccos in this world and I just feel I am very Murdocco!

What was your first performance at Freedonia in Barcelona like?

I loved performing at Freedonia it was when we were presenting our 2nd EP “Live the Life” and I had been very ill with chickenpox, I almost died, and I worked so hard mentally and physically to be fit on that day, it was a real achievement to be back on stage. We filled up the venue, I loved it, the crowd loved it too… I will never forget that concert.

What makes a good songwriter?

Murdocco
Murdocco

I think a good songwriter is that one that really gets a message or an emotion across when the music rounds up this energy that elevates you and creates this feeling of intimacy or belonging, when those harmonies really work on your body and it seems perfect, and it makes you crave for more!

Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association?

Yes, to PRS (PRS royalties. 50% writer minimum – writer(s) will be credited with no less than 50% of the overall royalty. 50/50 default ) and Sgae (The Spanish Society of Authors and Publishers is the main collecting society for songwriters, composers and music publishers in Spain).

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

 I’ve been writing songs since I can speak, but I suppose the first song I wrote and recorded was Los Besos, in Spanish, when I was in New York. It was an incredible feeling to hear myself in a recording.

How did you end up in London?

I was living in New York and was in a relationship with Stephen, who is British, he had to come here for work, so we moved here together. 

Tell me about your new single “Rainy Day”?

I wrote it on a rainy day when I was studying production at Point Blank, the song idea just happened very quickly. I was quite fed up with having communication problems with my boyfriend, it was so difficult to talk. The song speaks of that frustration and needs to say everything that has been unsaid. I then completely forgot about it, and found it not long ago, I improved it, and really wanted to release it. I love its energy.

How many times we get distanced from loved ones because you can’t talk about an issue, and then you are just making assumptions. It’s really healthy to Bezos talk, and say things even if it will upset the other person, cause the opposite is much worse.

You picked Jose Tio to do your music video. How many years have you been working with him?

 Jose Tio with Murdocco
Jose Tio with Murdocco

For quite a while, we did a photoshoot in Barcelona and then he happened to move here, I love his use of the light and he is a lot of fun too.

How has your music changed since “I Needn’t Can Back”?

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I think learning production had a big impact on me, I suppose, that gave me the freedom to experiment, back then I was more dependent on my band, so being able to produce it’s another level of writing, and trying new things. I think I also learned a lot since then.

What are your feelings about streaming music?

Well, it has advantages and disadvantages, I love the way you can discover music, and be discovered, but really it is not so good for us musicians. We can’t survive on it. Now with the coronavirus crisis and social distancing, is a very difficult time for musicians since we are not allowed to perform. The pandemic has made this problem come to light, putting in evidence the need to review and make the legislation of streaming to be fairer for Artists.

How can people forget about the origin hashtag # Sharp in a musical score?

You mean sharp as bemol? Did I miss a hashtag trend?

Digital vs. vinyl?

That’s a tough one! I guess in a practical way I would say digital as you can lightly take it with you everywhere you go. But playing those vinyl records is so romantic, so beautiful, so real! I’d say both.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Murdocco
Murdocco


My favorite song ever is I feel Love from Donna Summer, it’s perfect, it lifts my spirit, speaks about love, is timeless. An incredibly beautiful song that reaches everyone, is the ultimate definition of Love!

Both Pfizer and BioNTech have conclude Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the vaccine it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?

It’s hard to predict what people will do but I think, this virus has brought to light the need to look after each other, as we can pass on the virus without knowing, so I really hope that people will really take this seriously and feel responsible for everybody’s wellbeing and not be selfish. I know we are all quite tired of this but we just need that extra effort to get through this.

Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

For sure, it already has done it, and I am excited to see how things will shift and evolve for the music industry. 

During the lockdown you did a few videos. Which one did you enjoy mostly doing?

Yeah, it’s been great doing the video for Rainy Day. we did it on the last day of the first lockdown, the city centre was empty! We were hiding from the police, shooting here and there it was fun and hectic!

Do you still dance?

Of course, I will dance till I die! I am not a professional dancer, it just cheers me up, especially with this lockdown, it’s good for the soul to play some loud music and just dance, it releases tension.

Do you still have your home studio in Barcelona?

Not anymore. I do have some equipment in storage though.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I did a lot of cooking at first, then I learned to do new makeup styles, hairdos, and jazz home-videos, but especially did a lot of meditation.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel? 

It depends sometimes I look for movie recommendations and then watch them wherever they are being shown, other times I get into the Youtube world and watch documentaries or rare things, other times I fall in the Netflix net, I like to watch a lot of independent international films.

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.

The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only. 

How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?


So many new platforms for streaming events emerged during the lockdown, that if Facebook gets tight, other doors are already open where we can go.
A lot of people are fed up with Facebook so if they get nasty, there are plenty of more options.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?


I don’t like the idea of holographic concerts, music is meant to be played live, being there present. But if that is what the future holds, I am curious to experience it. I am always open to technology.

If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing? Would it be a web designer?

I would probably go back to painting. Or growing flowers or vegetables, anything related to healing and being in nature.

Anything you would like to say in closing.

Stay positive and look after each other, this is a time to evolve. I am really excited to share Rainy Day and my forthcoming singles.

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