Pete Murray has long been one of Australia’s most cherished singer-songwriters, known for blending emotional depth with acoustic-driven hooks. With the release of his evocative new single I Am Fire, Murray once again proves that he’s an artist who continues to evolve while staying true to his roots.
At its heart, I Am Fire is a moving tribute to the unsung heroes among us – ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of courage and compassion. With its delicate arrangements and purposeful lyrics, the single showcases Murray’s talent for capturing human resilience through music. It also offers fans a second taste of a fresh body of work following his earlier 2024 release, Wouldn’t It Be Good.
“The song is inspired by normal people who stand up against regimes and who stand up for humanity and risk their own lives to save others,” Murray shares. “They are the real heroes of the world. I have used elements, emotions and feeling to describe these people. The courage they have is enormous and the love they give is forever. This song is also about normal heroes like mums and dads who are always there for their kids.”
Sonically, I Am Fire pays homage to Murray’s love of classical guitar tones, sparked by a recent acquisition: “I just bought a Gibson 1971 Classical guitar before I recorded I Am Fire and I knew this guitar had to be on this song. I love the classical guitar sound Rodriguez uses on his recordings, and it’s that same 60s/70s classical guitar sound that I was going for. The guitar created a real mood on the song that works well with the lyrics.”
That sense of mood and meaning is further amplified by a lush arrangement of musicians and collaborators who helped bring the track to life. Murray stepped into the producer’s role alongside Luke Palmer (known for work with Boo Seeka, Dead Letter Circus, and Jacob Lee), who also handled engineering duties on the Gold Coast. Local talents including Ian Peres on bass and keys, Sarah James on backing vocals, Kate Derepas on cello, and Murray’s long-time guitarist Brett Wood on electric guitar contributed to the track’s rich texture. The drum work was captured in Nashville by Aaron Sterling – a renowned drummer and producer with credits alongside John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Post Malone, and Lana Del Rey.
Complementing the single is a powerful music video that visually embodies the song’s themes of bravery and compassion. Created with directors David Blackley and Nick Wyatt – both of whom have previously filmed Murray’s live performances – the video features footage of real-life historical moments that radiate strength and humanity.
“I worked with David Blackley and Nick Wyatt on this video. Both have shot some of my live gigs before. I felt Dave and Nick would get this concept. They are both very creative and gifted film makers,” explains Murray. “The video is footage of powerful moments in time where people are standing up for others, helping others, saving others and loving others. The concept of the video is to show the positivity of the human spirit in times of war and natural disasters.”
I Am Fire is more than just a single – it’s a testament to Murray’s ever-evolving artistry. Since his 2001 debut The Game, Pete Murray has sold over 1.2 million albums, clocked up hundreds of millions of streams, and received 17 ARIA Award nominations. Albums like the triple-platinum Feeler (2003) and 2017’s Camacho cemented his reputation as a beloved figure in the Australian music scene.
And now, more than two decades into his career, Murray is preparing to embark on something completely new: his first ever solo acoustic tour across Australia.
Slated to be his most extensive run yet, the 56-date tour will see him travel to regions and cities he’s never performed in before – from remote country towns to bustling capital hubs. Launching in Darwin on 9 May and concluding in the Blue Mountains on 7 September, the solo acoustic journey promises an intimate experience for fans of all ages.
“I’ve never done a solo tour in this country before, so it’s been on the cards for a while,” Murray says. “I’ve done it overseas and people love it – so it’s about time I did it in my own country. There will be some storytelling of my songs, my life and career. The shows will be very intimate.”
He’ll be joined on the road by national support acts Rachael Fahim and Brett Wood. For fans eager to catch Pete Murray live, presale ticket registration is available via www.petemurray.com, with general onsale beginning from 21 March at 10am local time.
As he gears up for the tour and prepares to unveil more new material, I Am Fire stands tall as a beacon of heartfelt songwriting, resonating with both its message and its musicality. For Pete Murray, the journey is far from over – in fact, it may just be heating up.
“I feel really good about releasing this song. It’s one of my favourite songs off the new body of work I have just recorded,” he reflects. “I feel this song is very appropriate for the times we live in now. And I’m really looking forward to getting out there and letting people see how these songs were written on acoustic guitar and telling them stories of my life journey so far.”
