Dalis Car
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Peter Murphy, Mick Karn, Paul Vincent Lawford |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Dalís Car was a musical ensemble established in 1984, comprising Peter Murphy on vocals, Mick Karn handling bass, keyboards, guitar, and saxophone, along with Paul Vincent Lawford operating drum machines.
History
Following the breakup of Bauhaus a year earlier, Peter Murphy aimed to continue recording music but encountered difficulties since his former bandmates had primarily driven the creative process. Murphy’s role had largely been focused on lyrics and singing, with minimal involvement in instrumentation. He later acknowledged the necessity of discovering his individual artistic path as a solo performer. Concurrently, Mick Karn—previously part of art pop group Japan—faced challenges securing a record contract for his mostly instrumental solo projects and was in search of a lead vocalist.
Their partnership originated when a Japanese journalist, having interviewed both musicians separately, introduced them to one another. The two met and, together with drummer Paul Vincent Lawford, formed Dalís Car. Contrary to widespread assumptions that their name referenced a Captain Beefheart track, it was actually inspired by a dream experienced by a friend of Murphy’s involving Salvador Dalí.
Differences in musical approach soon arose between Murphy and Karn concerning song structure. Meanwhile, Lawford’s stage anxiety restricted his live drumming capabilities, resulting in the use of programmed drum sequences during studio sessions. The group did not embark on tours but did perform their single "His Box" on BBC2’s The Old Grey Whistle Test, utilizing backing tracks.
Dalís Car produced a single album, The Waking Hour, which exceeded its financial plan and did not achieve commercial success. Although Karn was eager to continue the collaboration, Murphy chose to step back due to the project’s underperformance and shifting personal priorities. The band dissolved in 1984 amid tensions following the disbanding of their previous groups.
The Waking Hour
The album cover for The Waking Hour displays a segment from Maxfield Parrish’s painting Daybreak. Recording took place with Karn and Murphy working independently, exchanging tapes rather than recording together in the studio. The release included one single, "The Judgement Is the Mirror" (which reached UK No. 66), accompanied by a video largely shot in Malta.
Reunion and subsequent releases
In August 2010, Peter Murphy revealed intentions to collaborate once more with Karn on a second Dalís Car album. He remarked:
"I hadn't seen him for ages and then I heard he was seriously ill... I asked if he was well enough to work, and if so, why don't we make another Dalis Car album? I'll raise the funds and organise it all, you just get writing."
Unfortunately, the project was interrupted due to Karn’s cancer diagnosis; he passed away on 4 January 2011. The material they recorded—including an updated version of "Artemis" from The Waking Hour, retitled "Artemis Rise" with added vocals, guitar, and drums—was released on 5 April 2012 as the EP InGladAloneness. This EP was mixed by Steve Jansen, mastered by Pieter Snapper in Istanbul, and featured artwork by Murphy and Thomas Bak, incorporating a painting by Jarosław Kukowski. The Japanese edition contained a commemorative photo booklet with images by Jansen and reflections from collaborators.
To commemorate Karn's 53rd birthday, "Artemis Rise" was issued as a digital download on 24 July 2011 through the Burning Shed MK Music store. This revised track includes Murphy’s vocals, Jansen’s drumming, and guitar contributions from Jakszyk.
Studio albums
- The Waking Hour (1984) – Reached No. 84 on UK charts
Singles
- "The Judgement Is the Mirror" (1984) – Peaked at No. 66 in the UK
EPs
- InGladAloneness (2012)