Album Notes

"Shadow of a Habit" is the 2001 duo project by Doris Muramatsu and Ty Greenstein, now members of the nationally touring group Girlyman. For information and current tourdates, see http://www.girlyman.com

SHADOW OF A HABIT

2002 Out Music Award Winner, Best New Recording by a Duo, Group, or Band
Performing Songwriter Top 12 DIY Recording, May 2002

"(3-1/2 out of 4 stars) This reflective indie-folk duo's fine ear for stark ballads and mournful harmonies is comfortingly straight-from-the-heart--and goes well beyond the obligatory anguish common to the coffeehouse menu. On this debut album, their acoustic pickin' and plunkin' admirably avoids the lure of studio bloat; download the songs or be a patron of the arts and order the CD." --Yahoo Internet Life

"Greenstein and Muramatsu are fiercely talented young singer-songwriters whose melodious musical style is as unique and enchanting as their history. On 'Shadow of a Habit,' their blend is beautifully complete, their harmonies seductive and complex." --The New York Blade

Urban folk duo the garden verge was created twenty years ago when a second-grade teacher in Princeton Junction, New Jersey sat Tylan Greenstein and Doris Muramatsu next to each other, certain that they would never speak to one another. Instead, they became best friends.

Their musical partnership began just a few years later when Ty took up the guitar and Doris began to spontaneously sing harmonies. As a result, Doris and Ty have been collaborating for over two decades; as the garden verge, they stand out amidst the sea of solo acts in the contemporary folk market.

Their songwriting reflects influences from Simon and Garfunkel to George Michael to the Indigo Girls. Songs range in topic from innocent crushes to chronic indecision to natural disasters.

In addition, Doris and Ty are both classically trained guitarists whose playing is fierce (think Ani DiFranco) and intricate (think Shawn Colvin). Often Ty, whose sense of rhythm is apparent in her guitar work, will put down her acoustic and pick up a djembe, which she plays "like a very small drumkit."

"Shadow of a Habit" is the garden verge's debut and final project--two years after its release, Ty and Doris merged with singer-songwriter Nate Borofsky to become the nationally touring trio Girlyman. Girlyman has since released two CDs on Atlanta-based Daemon Records, an independent label run by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls.

For information about Girlyman, please see http://www.girlyman.com

Meanwhile, try out "Shadow of a Habit," about which Performing Songwriter wrote, "Few duos make music sound this sublime."