Sprawled in a slick leopard-print suit worthy of a rock star, with princesses, a pirate, a superhero, an astronaut and more around him for a Make-A-Wish Aotearoa campaign, musician Michael Murphy felt compelled to do more to help the worthy organisation.
The spark that started it all
Then it came to him: “We should be writing a song!” In just one week, the new single The Waiting Room was written, recorded and uploaded to streaming platforms as a gift to Make-A-Wish.
“It was an absolute whirlwind,” beams Michael, whose sons Archie, nine, and Harry, six, feature on the track with their mates.
“We wrote it on Thursday with Davie Wong [Michael’s Written By Wolves bandmate], recorded it on Friday, and on Saturday I got all our friends and their kids over for a barbecue and put the kids in the studio. The following Thursday, it was uploaded, ready for release.”
A song from the heart
Creating a song for the cause had a special significance for Michael, who first hit our screens as the 17-year-old runner-up of the first season of NZ Idol in 2004. Archie’s best friend Freddy was diagnosed with leukaemia six years ago.
Michael, his wife, fellow performer Becks, and their boys have supported Freddy and his family every step of the way, including when, in 2023, he had his wish granted to ride in a monster truck.
“I’ve seen first-hand how amazing it is for these families to have wishes granted,” tells Michael.
“Make-A-Wish is doing amazing things for these kids and whānau who need a ray of hope at a time that is as hard as it can get.”
The growing power of a wish
Last year, Make-A-Wish granted 170 critically ill Kiwi children’s wishes. This year, there are 240 wishes on the list – everything from flying in a helicopter and a shopping spree, to a glamorous photoshoot – and funding is needed to meet the increased demand.
Michael hopes Kiwis will give generously and explains for those who aren’t able to donate. Just listening to his song The Waiting Room supports Make-A-Wish as every cent made from streaming is donated to the charity. Freddy, who is now post-treatment with clear bloodwork but will continue to have regular monitoring for years to come, was delighted to have a special line dedicated to him in
the song.
A lyric that says it all
“Every time I talk about this, I get emotional,” admits Michael.
“You’d think I’d be better about it by now – but no. “The line in the song goes, ‘I want to ride with my best friend in a monster truck,’ and that’s Freddy’s backstory woven in. “It’s horrific and so unfair for any family to go through cancer, and for kids to see their friends go through that too. “We were only bystanders doing what we could and watching it all take place. It makes you look at things differently – you all band together and go, ‘What can we do to help?’ And you look at your kids, pull them closer and hope like hell no one else you know has to go through it.”
Michael was on tour in Europe with his band when his sons accompanied Freddy for his Make-A-Wish monster-truck extravaganza. He will never forget their enthusiastic shouts video calling him from the other side of the world.
A picture worth a thousand words
“All of a sudden, I got these photos and incredibly excited kids calling me while I was in Copenhagen, screaming about a monster truck,” he recalls.
“It was pretty wild and amazing.”
When he’s not using his talent for good, Michael is busy emceeing events. And recording new music and international collabs with his band Written By Wolves. Exactly who they’re collaborating with, he can’t say just yet.
“Even though I’m dying to talk about it,” laughs Michael, who spends every other minute with his music and sports-mad sons.
Dad by day Rockstar by night
“There’s always a lot going on. Currently, I’m coaching both boys’ rugby teams and somehow helping coach Archie’s football team too.”
And he wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether he’s setting up a professional stage, complete with a full PA system, lights and a smoke machine in their lounge for Archie and Harry to perform on, or bringing them to the side of a stage to watch him live, fatherhood is where Michael’s star really shines.
“I’m incredibly proud,” beams Michael, before laughing,“ But man, it’s loud at all times in our house! There’s no time they’re not singing at the top of their lungs.”
Listen to The Waiting Room now on Spotify and Apple Music. To donate or find out more about Make-A-Wish Aotearoa, visit makeawish.org.nz
