Artist description Ulysses Craft and culture, the two defining words that encapsulate the musical mindset and artistic purpose of Ulysses. Poised for excellence, the band offers insightful, and occasionally whimsical reflections of pop culture and all of it’s inherent paradoxes. The band weaves a colorful fabric, crafted with musical integrity and passion. Threads of Elvis Costello, Thelonius Monk, Willie Nelson, can be found scattered carefully among the strands of Joe Jackson, and XTC mingling to create an original piece, mindful of some of music’s master tailors. Disenchanted with the endless stream of self-absorbed jibberish foisted upon the eardrums of mainstream listeners, Ulysses presents an unabashed look at modern thought and it’s subversive effect on art, relationships, and well being. The boys from Ithica do chew on the staple food of rock music: love, both fulfilled and unrequited, but more often than not choose selectively from alternative food groups for their lyrical diet. From a lighthearted look at James Joyce’s critically acclaimed novel “Ulysses” (the source of the band’s name), to Mother Theresa’s recent appearance in a cinnamon bun, a night spent with Ulysses is sure to be good “eatin”. Ryan Murphy, one of the two founding members of this unusual band, has roots in both country and jazz, but shares a passion for modern rock. Previously a staff writer with Barbara Orbison - Still Working Music Group, he has toured extensively with his father Michael Martin Murphy and also worked locally as a session guitarist. In addition to providing lyrical insight and witticism, Ryan chisels away at Ulysses’s unique harmonic textures via his cherished assortment of colorful guitars. Eric Quiram, also sharing a love for jazz and modern rock, brings pop sensibility and insatiable curiosity to the group. A pianist and yankee from Baltimore, Maryland, he relocated in Nashville 5 years ago and is currently working as advertising copywriter. Eric stubbornly holds onto to long forgotten notion that good songs are what people really want despite the steely machinations of the music industry. Mike (Sir Funk) Maggett drives the Philedelphian Atlantan groove-bass bus coasting along with classic James Jemersonality, unifying funk, rock, punk and jazz in his magic bottom end. (we're refering to his bass guitar you Cretin!) Mike discovered his affinity for bass in college and then relocated to Nashville in 98. Since then he’s traveled with acts such as LaRue – Russ Lee – Phil Joel – and Sonic Flood. Blaine Barcus, Ulysses’s 4th crucial member, is most at home constructing the rhythmic framework for the band with a unique combination of taste, pinache, and pocket (the essential implement in any drummers tool-kit). Originally from St. Louis, Blaine now lives in Nashville where he pursues his drumming along with a position in A&R at Word records.

Music Style Alternative/powerpop

Musical Influences Coldplay, XTC,Ben folds, U2, Tom Petty, Radiohead,Peter Gabriel,

Similar Artists Coldplay, XTC,Ben folds, U2, Tom Petty, Radiohead,Peter Gabriel,

Group Members Ryan Murphey - guitars/vocals Eric Quiram - keys/vocals Mike Majett - bass Blaine Barcus - drums

Press Reviews Tennessean Article http://www.tennessean.com/entertainment/news/archives/01/11/10882822.shtml?Element_ID=10882822 Nashville Scene Article http://archives.nashvillescene.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?story=Back_Issues:2002:January_10-16_2002:Arts:Local_View

Location Nashville, TN - USA

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