Article Contributed by Vincent Vallely
Published on December 24, 2025
Murray’s Law | Brooklyn, NY | December 12, 2025 | photos by Vinny Vallely
Murray’s Law—an acoustic duo featuring Dogs in a Pile guitarists Brian Murray and Jimmy Law—delivered a warm, engaging performance at Loft Story in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The intimate setting proved to be an ideal backdrop for a benefit show supporting The Phoenix, an organization dedicated to building community for people in recovery through sober activities and events. The night carried a sense of purpose that extended beyond the music, adding an extra layer of meaning to an already memorable performance.
The duo presented a two-set show that thoughtfully blended Dogs in a Pile originals with a wide-ranging selection of covers, allowing Murray and Law to explore both their shared musical roots and individual strengths. They opened the evening with the Dogs original “Didn’t You Know?”, featuring Law on lead vocals during the verses before joining Murray in harmony on the chorus. In the stripped-down acoustic format, their vocal blend and intricate guitar interplay were especially pronounced, immediately drawing the audience in.
The set continued with “Cannonball Rag,” the classic instrumental by Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. The song’s finger-picked complexity was handled with care, highlighting Murray’s technical precision while maintaining the relaxed, conversational feel that defined the night. Two Dogs originals followed—“Ugly Song” and the Murray’s Law debut of “Stevie Lew”—each fitting naturally into the acoustic framework.
Instrumental guitar duets remained a focal point with a spirited take on “Twichy,” another collaboration between Atkins and Jerry Reed. It was clear that Murray and Law relished these moments, leaning into the playful exchange that such pieces invite. That energy carried into “Jack a Roe,” the traditional folk tune popularized by artists like Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, which brought a lively, narrative-driven contrast to the instrumental selections. “Jerry’s Breakdown,” penned by Reed, rounded out this stretch of the set and further showcased the duo’s stylistic range and technical versatility. The first set concluded with “Shenanigans,” a Dogs in a Pile track from their recent release Distroid, served as a strong and familiar closing statement before the break.
After a short intermission, Murray’s Law returned with “Joseph’s Dream” by John Hartford, an upbeat and playful song that has also found a home in the repertoires of artists such as Billy Strings. From there, they moved into the Dogs live staple “Look Johnny II,” which reaffirmed how effectively the band’s material translates to an intimate acoustic setting.
The second set continued with “Gild the Lily” by Billy Strings, featuring Law on lead vocals and expressive guitar work from both players. Dogs original “None,” debuted earlier this year, followed. The duo then took on “No Excuses” by Alice in Chains, a choice that highlighted their vocal harmonies and demonstrated how well their acoustic approach suited the song’s emotional weight.
A run of Dogs originals closed out the second set, beginning with “Unfocused,” co-written by Murray and lyricist Tom Marshall. Next came “Power Trip,” a Law-penned song dating back to 2019, followed by “Men of Steel” and “Lazy Susan,” bringing the set to a close.
Murray and Law returned to the stage for an encore. They opened with Bob Weir’s “Black Throated Wind” before closing the night with “Is Anything Better Than This” by Chet Atkins. True to the spirit of the evening, the duo had fun with the final tune—trading guitar lines, playfully altering the lyrics, and sending the audience off on a high note.
Shows for this exciting acoustic duo pop up in between the Dogs in a Pile tour dates. They do not have any dates planned, but keep tabs on their tour page for upcoming 2026 announcements.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Murray’s Law
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Venue: Loft Story
Date: December 12, 2025
Set One: Didn’t You Know?, Cannonball Rag[1], Ugly Song, Stevie Lew, Twichy[2], Jack-a-Roe[3], Jerry’s Breakdown[4], Shenanigans
Set Two: Joseph’s Dream[5], Look Johnny II, Gild the Lily[6], None, No Excuses[7], Unfocused, Power Trip, Men of Steel, Lazy Susan, Black Throated Wind[8], Is Anything Better Than This[9]
Notes:
[1] Chet Atkins and Merle Travis
[2] Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed
[3] Traditional
[4] Jerry Reed
[5] John Hartford
[6] Billy Strings
[7] Alice In Chains
[8] Bob Weir
[9] Chet Atkins
Set list via go-set.net
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