Interview with The Murmurs music band members

Published October 1998 by Jeremy Helligar (source)

We’ve all heard that cliche about turning negatives into positives. Well, for Heather Grody and Leisha Hailey of the Murmurs, it’s been a way of life. In 1993, Grody’s mother was killed by an abusive husband. Five tough years later, the Murmurs embarked on the R.O.A.R. tour - Rock Out Against Rage - benefiting women’s shelters. Although that recent expedition was by no means intended as delayed therapy, it was another small step toward restoring harmony to Grody’s life. And harmony always has been the driving force behind the Murmurs’ music.

The pair met in acting school a decade ago and a few years later began honing their musical craft on New York City’s East Village circuit. In 1994, MCA Records released their self-titled major label debut, which spawned the minor hit "You Suck." For their latest disc, Blender, the duo combined tracks from last year’s Pristine Smut - produced in part by kd lang, Hailey’s girlfriend since 1996 - and three new cuts produced by Matthew Wilder (who’s worked with No Doubt). The result: Music for the masses, they hope.

JEREMY HELLIGAR: Tell me about the tour you recently launched to benefit shelters designed for battered women. Did the fact that your mother was murdered by your stepfather make the undertaking a tough one for you, Heather?

HEATHER GRODY: It’s still extremely difficult for me, but I finally feel ready to give back. As much as I can, I want to help other people who suffer from the same thing I went through - not only the women who get battered, but people like me. When I was in high school I lived with the guy; he was my stepfather. I feel very vulnerable talking about it, but I think it’s important. Even though the O.J. Simpson situation raised everybody’s awareness, I’m coming from a different perspective. I lost my mom, and I was very aware of what happened.

JH: How did you cope with her death?

HG: If it weren’t for my small circle of friends, I don’t know if I would be here right now. The support I have from them really brought me through this time. And also being able to do what I love, which is write songs and sing.

JH: How did the experience affect your work?

HG: For a while that’s all I could write about. Finally, I wrote one song called "Sleepless Commotion," which really was the healing song for me. I’d said it the way it needed to be said. Now I don’t really write about it anymore.

JH: You still mix sober words and upbeat music in a striking way, though.

LEISHA HAILEY: That’s sort of how our life is. We have our rough times, but you have to move on. You have to deal with your pain. You have to find a sense of humor in the rotten things that happen.

HG: But also we’re really drawn to a pop sound, and it’s so much fun to play onstage. That’s really who we are on the outside, musically. But lyrically, we feel different from the way our music sounds. When people first hear us they might think we’re not so deep, but if you really listen to our music, it’s got more to say.