Murray A. Lightburn
Lightburn performing with The Dears in London, July 13, 2007.
Lightburn performing with The Dears in London, July 13, 2007.
Background information
Genresindie rock
Occupation(s)singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)vocals, guitar
Years active1995–present

Murray A. Lightburn is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist and principal songwriter for The Dears.[1]

Lightburn has been called "the black Morrissey" due to his vocal similarity (and shared penchant for somewhat dark lyrics) to the former The Smiths lead singer.[2] Incidentally, The Dears toured as Morrissey's opening act during Morrissey's solo tour in 2006.[3]

In 2013 he released the solo album Mass: Light.[4] His second solo album, Hear Me Out, was released in 2019.[5]

His album Once Upon a Time in Montreal was longlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize.[6]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Personal life

In 2005, Lightburn married fellow band member, keyboardist/singer Natalia Yanchak.[7] They have two children named Neptune and Apollo Lightburn.

References

  1. ^ "Murray Lightburn embraces the loneliness". Montreal Gazette, August 16, 2013.
  2. ^ "Beyond Black Morrissey: The Dears hark back to warm and sunny days". National Post, October 2, 2015.
  3. ^ "The Dears Diva-nize Morrissey". Stereogum, October 25, 2006.
  4. ^ "Murray A. Lightburn – MASS: LIGHT". Exclaim!, August 19, 2013.
  5. ^ "The Dears' Murray Lightburn Announces 'Hear Me Out' Solo LP, Shares New Single". Exclaim!, December 4, 2018.
  6. ^ "2023 Polaris Music Prize long list: Feist, Jessie Reyez and more". CBC Music, June 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "Never Destroy Us: An Interview with Natalia Yanchak of the Dears". PopMatters, March 22, 2011.


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