Melody Driver by Spirograph Studies

Spirograph Studies release their third album this October. Expanding on their hypnotic, textural approach to improvisation with a slew of live performances in 2023 and 2024, they hit the studio and produced their long awaited follow up album, Melody Driver.

Spirograph Studies have cultivated a unique sound. Described as “post-rock, post-jazz”, they sculpt live soundtracks under the musical leadership of Tamara Murphy. After a 4-year wait, they are excited to release Melody Driver, which pushes their approach into new directions, textures and dreamscapes.

Their last album, Lowlights, was featured on The Best Jazz on Bandcamp list (October 2021), Album of the Week on ABC Jazz and the single Anteloper was one of the Top Tracks on Feature Sounds (PBS Radio).

Press for Lowlights:

“If there is one quality which most permeates the music of Spirograph Studies, it is melodic beauty.

– Eric Myers, The Weekend Australian, July 3, 2022

“Led by bassist Tamara Murphy – who composes the music – the band is awash with talent … Lowlights is a pleasurable listening experience from start to finish, a testament to Tamara Murphy’s singular vision.”

– Des Cowley, Rhythms Magazine, May/June 2022

“There’s a lot of subtlety at work on this enjoyable set from the Melbourne-based quartet Spirograph Studies, and the payoff to that approach are some pretty epic moments. It’s just as engaging to trace the path of the small, logical steps that lead up the huge melodic statements as it is to arrive at their destination. Those slow builds are the album’s winning quality, and border on addictive.”

– Dave Sumner, Best Jazz on Bandcamp List, October 2021

Press for Spirograph Studies:

“This album absorbed me with its understated movement, subtle colour shifts, beautiful melodic interaction, and textural approach to music making.”

– Rafael Karlen, The Music Trust, July 27, 2020

“'Spirograph Studies' is a wonder - a muted sprawl of acoustic and electric instrumentation, a deep and evocative listen.”

– Sydney Women’s International Jazz Festival, 2019

Tracklist

1.	The End of Winter	6:13

2.	Melody Driver	4:48

3.	Pop Bolero	7:25

4.	Church	5:17

5.	Undoing	5:57

6.	Does Thunder Sleep?	5:48

7.	The Suitcase Reminder	5:06

8.	First Edition	7:42

Credits

released October 3, 2025

Spirograph Studies:
Fran Swinn – guitar
James McLean – drums
Luke Howard – piano
Tamara Murphy – bass

Produced by Tamara Murphy
Recorded at Sing Sing East January 22 + 23, 2025
Recorded and mixed by Hadyn Buxton
Mastered by Lachlan Carrick at Moose Mastering
Artwork/layout by Hans-Jørgen Jahr
Front cover photograph by Tamara Murphy
Photo of Spirograph Studies by WILK

All songs written by Tamara Murphy.
Luke Howard appears courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited.
The Suitcase Reminder is for Allan Browne.

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