Murkage Dave
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Murkage Dave (born David Lewis) is a singer and songwriter from Leytonstone, East London.[1]
Career
[edit]Early years, club nights, 'Car Bomb'
[edit]Dave started making music while he was at university in Manchester, including 'Hands On Her' which was remixed by Sunship and appeared on a DJ EZ compilation,[2] and ran the weekly Monday Murkage club night.[3] He continued to promote parties and DJ, forming the Murkage Cartel a collective of DJs, musicians, photographers, film makers, designers and bloggers.
When Dave returned to London in 2016, he formed the duo HALFBROTHER with producer and singer SCALLY,[4] and released his debut EP 'D.A.V.E' which featured the SCALLY-produced 'Car Bomb'. 'Car Bomb' was accompanied by a video directed by Marco Grey, and received radio support from Pharrell Williams and Young Fathers.[5][6] He also collaborated with The Streets frontman Mike Skinner on a club night called TONGA.[7]
Debut album, collaborations, touring
[edit]Dave's debut album, 'Murkage Dave Changed My Life', was released at the end of 2018.[8] It includes features from Manga Saint Hilare and Jaykae, and production from Skepta and Star Slinger.[9][10] He toured the album across 2019, including support slots for The Streets, Peace[11] and Tricky,[12] and released a special edition of the album which included features from JGrrey, Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, Peyton, NARX, Lioness and Lansky Jones & Jeff Donna of the New York rap collective World's Fair.[13][14] The album was critically praised for its unique sound and vulnerability. "He’s crafted a sparse, introspective vibe that feels distinctly British," wrote Felicity Martin of Dummy Mag.[15] Dave has also collaborated with French rapper Nekfeu and US DJ and producer AC Slater.
At the end of 2019 after his 'Keep Up The Bad Work' tour, Dave collaborated with Manga Saint Hilare for the surprise project 'We Need To Look After Us'.[16] The ten track project promotes self-care and community and features production from Tre Mission, Jon Phonics, Star Slinger, New Machine, Hologram Lo, Loubenski, Moshino Royale, Douvelle and Goldteeth.[17]
Second album, B sides, supports
[edit]His second album ‘The City Needs A Hero’ (2022)[18] debuted at #10 on the UK iTunes Chart, and #15 on the UK Independent Chart and was critically praised.[19] It was launched with the stand-out double A side single 'Please Don't Move To London It's A Trap' / Awful Things' featuring Caroline Polacheck.[20] In support of this album Dave toured the UK in late 2022, which saw him play venues including Islington Assembly Hall in London.[21]
In 2023 Dave released two companion pieces to this album: a B sides record 'The City Needs... Part Deux' and a remix EP 'The City Needs A Remix' which included remix work from the likes of Zed Bias, Atmosphere, Star Slinger, and more.[22][23]
In 2024 Dave opened up for Young Fathers at the Royal Albert Hall, and went on to support Yard Act across their European tour. In 2025 he opened up for WU LYF at one of their comeback shows.[24][25]
New music and Refuge Worldwide
[edit]Dave is currently recording his 3rd album, and has also started his own radio show ‘The Outlet’ on Refuge Worldwide, showcasing a mix of his influences and unreleased songs from friends and collaborators.[26] Guests so far have included Mona Chalbi and Ellery James Roberts from WU LYF.[27][28]
References
[edit]- ^ "BIOGRAPHY". Murkage Dave Official Website.
- ^ Bernard, Jesse. "Murkage Dave Interview". Trench.
- ^ Russell, Robbie. "Next Wave 905: Murkage Dave". Clash Magazine.
- ^ O'Connor, Roisin. "New music to listen to this week: HALFBROTHER". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18.
- ^ "Gorilla".
- ^ Appouh, Michael. "Murkage Dave Has More Than Something To Say". Nation Of Billions.
- ^ Brydon, Grant. "From Murkage To Mealworms: Mike Skinner reveals some of his favourite things". I-D Magazine. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021.
- ^ "Murkage Dave Gifts Us With His Debut Album 'Murkage Dave Changed My Life'". Complex. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
- ^ Martin, Felicity. "Track By Track: Murkage Dave Changed My Life". Dummy Mag.
- ^ Russell, Robbie. "East London Crooner Murkage Dave Isn't Afraid to Get in His Feelings". HighSnobiety.
- ^ Hack, Sophie. "Review: Peace smash two-hour Birmingham homecoming". Counteract.
- ^ "What's On: Tricky". Southbank Centre.
- ^ Hahn, Bryan. "Murkage Dave, Lansky Jones embrace vulnerability on "Keep Up The Bad Work" remix". The Fader.
- ^ Bell, Denzil. "Exclusive Interview: Murkage Dave with Lansky Jones". RWD Mag.
- ^ Martin, Felicity. "Track By Track: Murkage Dave Changed My Life". Dummy Mag.
- ^ "Murkage Dave's Two Latest Tracks Are Essential Listens". Complex. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
- ^ Martin, Felicity. "We Need To Look After Us". Dummy Mag.
- ^ "Murkage Dave offers a stirring examination of human nature on The City Needs A Hero". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ UK, Rolling Stone (2022-05-27). "7 albums you need to hear this week". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (2021-11-11). "Caroline Polachek Joins Murkage Dave on New Song "Awful Things"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "Editorial Photos, Celebrity, News, & Sports Images | Shutterstock Editorial". www.rexfeatures.com. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "Murkage Dave Comes Through With 'The City Needs… Part Deux'". Mixtape Madness. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "The City Needs A Remix, by Murkage Dave". Murkage Dave. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "Young Fathers claim special place in Royal Albert Hall lineage". DIY. 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "Murkage Dave to support Yard Act on upcoming European tour - Rockfreaks.net". www.rockfreaks.net. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "Murkage Dave". Refuge Worldwide. 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "The Outlet | Murkage Dave & Mona Chalabi". Refuge Worldwide. 2025-04-07. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ^ "The Outlet | Murkage Dave & Ellery James Roberts". Refuge Worldwide. 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-06-04.