Moloko (Róisín Murphy & Mark Brydon)
Introduction
No less than four motives for a story on Moloko: the band formed 30 years ago (1994), disbanded 20 years ago (2004), had their first big hit 25 years ago (1999) and within a few days Róisín Murphy, original Moloko singer, comes to Amsterdam for her 2024 solo tour. A perfect occasion for a look back at the career of Moloko.
Mark Brydon / Róisín Murphy
Before Mark Brydon and Róisín Murphy met, Brydon had already debuted in the world of music as a bass player to the unknown, yet influential, industrial funk band Chakk. Following the demise of that band he focused on remixes for artists like Yazz, The Human League, Boy George, Art Of Noise, Sly & Robbie, Cabaret Voltaire and Eric B. & Rakim.
Róisín Marie Murphy was born on July 1, 1973, in Ireland. At age 12 the family moved to Manchester, England. At 15 Murphy lived by herself and was grabbed by music and fashion. A Sonic Youth show inspired her to become a performer. In 2000 Murphy told Q Magazine: “Seeing Kim Gordon play changed everything for me. She’s hardcore, man. It’s not even an issue she’s a girl. She’s very brave. And cool.” When she was 19 she moved to Sheffield, where she got inspired by clothing made by Vivienne Westwood.
Moloko – First two albums
Moloko
“Do you like my tight sweater? See how it fits my body.” Murphy’s opening lines when she met Brydon. The year is 1994 and the location a dance party/rave. Brydon is intrigued and invites her to his studio and does some recordings. Murphy’s voice pleases. Brydon: “I felt an affinity with Róisín straightaway. A girl who could talk about music was a first for me.” They got on well personally as well and a relationship soon develops. They decide to use the name Moloko as a tribute to the narcotic drink Moloko Plus, used by The Droogs in the novel A Clockwork Orange, which in turn was based on the Russian name for milk, молоко.
In 1995 Moloko debuted with the single Where Is The What If The What Is In Why?, in October of that year followed by the debut album Do You Like My Tight Sweater?. The reviews were very positive, both in the UK and the US, but the general public let it slip by: the band was a kind of cult act.
Following a tour with Pulp, the song Fun For Me was included on the soundtrack for the Batman & Robin movie, garnering a lot of attention for the band. Moloko went into the studio and released the album I Am Not A Doctor in August 1998. Once again: rave reviews, but little sales.
Moloko – Sing It Back – Video
Sing It Back
But then, in 1999 dj Boris Dluglosh remixed a song of the latest Moloko album, Sing It Back. He sent his remix to Brydon and Murphy and they were enthralled by it. And they were not alone. It became a major club hit and turned into the first big hit for Moloko. Murphy got the idea for the song when clubbing in New York, where she witnessed clubbers singing the lyrics to obscure dance songs to the dj. Also, Murphy came up for the idea for the now iconic video and designed (and created) the wardrobe.
Moloko’s music was perfect for dance music, with a little something special. Sing It Back turned into one the biggest dance hits of 1999 and is still considered the one song Moloko is loved for. At the time, Murphy knew that Sing It Back was the bomb. In a 2000 interview with Dot Music, she said: “We were surprised by how much people loved ‘Sing It Back’, but we were also surprised when we first put it out and it wasn’t a hit ’cause it’s brilliant. I mean, the first time I heard it I just thought, ‘that’s massive’.” No lack of self-confidence there.
Moloko – Last two albums
More hits
In April 2000 Moloko released their third album, Things To Make And Do, a more danceable and accessible album, especially when compared to both successors. The single The Time Is Now was a huge hit and saved Moloko from one-day-fly status. For live shows, the group was expanded with a percussionist/drummer, a keyboard and a guitar player. The band turned into a true powerhouse. At the bottom of this article a link is provided leading to the live version of Sing It Back at the Pinkpop Festival 2004. The entire show can be found on YouTube, containing Sing It Back, which is an exciting, fantastically played, danceable and funky performance.
In 2001 the private Brydon/Murphy relationship ended, inspiring much of their last album, which was released in March 2003: Statues, resulting in yet another hit, Forever More. After a last, exciting and very well received tour, lasting well into 2004, Moloko disbanded, even though it has never been officially confirmed. The goodbye was accompanied by the release of a DVD live concert, called 11,000 Clicks.
In 2006 Murphy and Brydon reconvened one last time to promote the release of a Moloko compilation album, Catalogue.
Moloko – Róisín Murphy – Live 2004
Looking back
During their existence, Moloko was hard to categorize: the dance music Moloko is identified with nowadays, wasn’t that obvious when they started. At the time Murphy stated: “I am fed up with the whole thing. No one understands us. People just ask stupid questions. This is the problem being in Moloko: journalists always misrepresent us… Why can’t you just write, ‘Moloko are an experimental pop band that are quirky and interesting’, and have done with it?” Looking back at the band’s material and the many live recordings in circulation, there is no other way to put it, Moloko was a unique band, who were able to combine dance with intellect.
Even though Murphy had no musical training and/or experience, she quickly developed her ability to write songs and her voice brought the combination of jazz, soul and pop. Murphy was blessed with an interesting and provocative visual style as well. Moloko existed for 10 years and hasn’t been forgotten yet.
After Moloko
Mark Brydon went back to remixing. And, Moloko had introduced Róisín Murphy to the music world, a unique emergence with a great voice. To this day, everything she does is interesting, tasteful and exciting. Her solo career is very much alive, as evidenced in 2023 with the release of the superb Hit Parade.
In closing
What’s your take on Moloko? Let me know!
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Sing It Back, the story of Moloko. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
