Taking time out from his stag weekend, baroque retro-rocker The Mighty Stef talks about the influence of film on his writing, his enduring love for Nick Cave and his friendship with Shane MacGowan
Chicago, Illinois is a world capital of music and The Mighty Stef lived there and got to like it. Although he never got to visit Steve Albini’s studio, he was wowed by seeing Barack Obama live.
Now a provocative solo artist following a spell with the Subtonics, The Mighty Stef (alias Stefan Murphy) invites Jackie Hayden round for some pasta a la Murphy.
He’s a law unto himself is Stef, making the kind of records that nobody else could get away with. ‘Poisonous Love’ is an ode to a doomed love affair that turns into a punk sea shanty and sounds like The Men They Couldn’t Hang. It’s also great.
A pivotal figure within Dublin’s psycho-rock scene, he’s been threatening something special for some time, and praise be, The Sins of Sainte Catherine is a fine representation of his considerable talent.
They don’t call him the Mighty Stef for nothing – brimming with showmanship and out-on-a-limb theatrics, this double A-side is the perfect marriage of knowing, indie melody and uplifting, crowd-pleasing pop. ‘Liars’ gives the Nolan Sisters a wry nod (as you do), while on first impression ‘Prayer For The Broken Hearted’ sounds as though Nick Cave found the happy pills (and cabaret).
