Curtis McMurtry

Though Curtis McMurtry is only 24 years of age, many of the characters in his songs seem to have given up on life decades ago. His debut solo album Respectable Enemy (released August 2014) chronicles the narrations of unapologetically bitter individuals still haunted by the ghosts of lovers and friends they have long since driven away. Few other songwriters inhabit such lonely, spiteful people with such conviction. From the doomed narrator of "Foxhole" to the resigned nostalgia of "Eleanor's House" Curtis writes to break your heart into sharp, jagged pieces.

Curtis was born and raised in Austin, Texas and grew up listening to local songwriters like Matt The Electrician, Jon Dee Graham, and his father, James McMurtry. He began performing in punk bands when he was 13, but was kicked out of those punk bands in high school for wanting to play the banjo. From 2009-2013 Curtis studied music composition at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, primarily writing contemporary chamber music for banjo and strings. In 2013, Curtis moved to Nashville for a year to sharpen his songwriting skills by co-writing with veteran writers including Fred Koller and Guy Clark. Curtis moved back to Austin in 2014, preferring to be based out of a city that understands that the perfect breakfast is served in taco form. Curtis has been touring nationally since the release of his album Respectable Enemy in August of 2014, and has since performed on NPR’s Mountain Stage alongside such talents as Blake Mills and Norah Jones.

"Backed by a stand-up bass, cello and occasionally a horn section, the 24-year-old McMurtry epitomizes the catch-all nature of Americana. "-Rollingstone.com