Student Luke Asher Murphy finds connection through his music
Photo by Grace Ashdown.
Luke Asher Murphy spends his Wednesday afternoons on UVic’s campus, busking in the MacLaurin courtyard. If you’ve walked through the area midweek, chances are you’ve seen him there yourself. Over the course of five months, Murphy has become something of a campus staple.
Murphy is a second-year student at UVic, working towards a degree in biology and psychology. He finds balance through playing guitar and singing on campus. He also channels his musical talents at the UVic Live Music Club, where he is a member of the executive team.
“I think that music in a communal aspect is really important and something that we miss a lot,” says Murphy.
Murphy recalls one Wednesday afternoon when a student left him a note. They said they had sat and listened to him perform for two hours after having received some difficult news earlier in the day. A little music, they said, was exactly what they needed.
“There is beauty in the mundane things in our life,” says Murphy. “Music is something we can add … to help [highlight] those mundane things.”
Motivated by a love for performing and a need to practice his skills, Murphy began singing near the stairs between MacLaurin’s A and D wings — a safe spot sheltered from unpredictable winter weather.
“It’s easy for people to think that they need to be on a stage, or they need a microphone to perform,” he says. ”[But] you can come and sit in the courtyard and play, and if people walk by and hear you, and they connect with it, then that’s a successful day to me.”
Murphy’s sound is influenced by various genres, and inspired by his family, friends, and teachers. His set list is composed of country, acoustic pop, and singer/songwriter covers as well as originals. From Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton to Lord Huron and Leonard Cohen, Murphy aims for a mix that pleases everyone.
Murphy was born in Huntsville, Ontario. He began singing in church, and around age nine he got involved in musical theatre. At 13, Murphy started teaching himself guitar. When he moved to Victoria for university three years ago, he knew he needed to find a way to continue his musical journey in a new city.
“Victoria’s a great spot for music. The nature … can inspire a lot of art,” he says.
In addition to busking at UVic, Murphy plays open mics and in local bars. Over time, his passion for busking has grown, as has the reception of his public performances.
“It’s not a case of a natural talent or anything. It’s just a lot of hours [singing],” says Murphy.
Currently, Murphy is working towards recording songs of his own, though he admits writing does not come easy for him. “With school being so busy and stressful, and the ups and downs and all of that, I think [performing] offers this piece of connection to people,” he says.
Performing on UVic’s campus has allowed him to bring small moments of joy to those who walk by. With any luck, he says, he’ll inspire some more musicians to follow in his footsteps.
“I want to build the community [in Victoria] and find more people that are willing to play on a set of stairs,” says Murphy.
