Alexi Murdoch – Honda Element Commercial

Alexi Murdoch
Orange Sky

Awhile back, I had heard this really awesome folky song in the background of a Honda Element commercial. I instantly looked up from what I was doing (I had the TV on just for the noise) because I thought it was actually a Smog song. Indeed, the singer of “Orange Sky”, Alexi Murdoch, does sound a bit like Bill Callahan mixed with a bit of Mark Eitzel (from American Music Club).

The commercial is a really simple one, just some mountain bikers travelling along in their car. The song is what really makes it memorable, though i’ll admit that Honda is late to the game with the combination of porch folk rock and cars (i.e. Volkswagon and Nick Drake).

I had never heard of Murdoch, but apparently he is pretty well known for taking his Four Songs EP up the charts to become the number one seller at CDbaby awhile ago. He’s also had his songs played on The OC, the current repository for alternarock bands making the jump from indie to mainstream. And he had songs on the Garden State soundtrack too. Shows how much I keep up. Anyhow, “Orange Sky” is still one of my favorite songs used in a commercial…

Alexi Murdoch’s website

by Palebear