Murzik

Murzik is a Dark Folk / neofolk band formed in Minneapolis, Minneapolis in 2003. The band started out by experimenting with mixing old eastern European folk and midwest Americana sounds together to form a sound which they coined as Dark Folk. Murzik claims its influences from more traditional artists such as Vladimir Vysotsky, Leonard Cohen, and Édith Piaf which can be seen in Murziks romanticized soundscapes and dark poetic lyrics. The band has often been compared with other groups such as DeVotchKa and Gogol Bordello although Murzik's music steers more towards a darker sound reminiscent of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen.

Past, Present, and Future

Murzik started out in 2003 when Bryan Steenerson recorded a solo album under the name Murzik, a reference to a common Russian name for cats. The album contained dark lyrics, minor keys and various instruments such as accordion, glockenspiel, mandolin, and others. Upon hearing the album, long-time friend and accordionist Nathan Simar was grabbed by the music and thus Murzik was born. Murzik has always had a rotating cast of musicians and almost never plays with the same arrangement of musicians twice. Soon after their first show in 2003 Murzik released a debut album which received high praise from critics. Since then they have released two more CDs, both of which received high praise from music critics. In 2008 Murzik was featured on NPR's radio show All Things Considered. The interview covered Murzik's origins and their style of what Murzik calls Dark Folk. The radio show was played nationally and is still available on MPR's web site. Later that same year Murzik had the opportunity to open up for Mumiy Troll, a famous Russian pop band. Later in 2009 a University of Minnesota student performed his masters thesis on the group Murzik and the style and origin of their sound. The group Murzik has been quiet in the past few months of 2011 but is currently in the studio working on a new album.