Curtis McMurtry

Curtis McMurtry is a singer-songwriter, folk artist based in Austin whose music has strong traditional roots but is also eclectic in nature. His songs are highly melodic and immediately accessible. They are typically upbeat and buoyant, but with a subtle sense of a dark tone just below the surface. His arrangements make great use of the cello for the accompaniment, which pairs well with the double bass. The addition of a muted trumpet or a grimy saxophone or maybe a horn section gives the songs more texture (hints of Beirut when the whole horn section goes). He usually switches between a banjo and acoustic guitar and sings with a smooth and confident voice without any "look at me" fireworks. McMurtry is a great storyteller in his songs (it must run in the family) and it also does not hurt that his songs are instantly hummable.