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Always the bull-in-the-china-shop type, Brendan O'Donnell embodies a passion for life -- enthusiastic, outgoing, literally bursting into song. The arrangement of original music on his full-length debut recording First is jangly and hard-driving without ever being abrasive and yet the power that he brings forth, sometimes restrained, sometimes let loose is like a youthful Neil Young just starting to cut tunes.

O'Donnell's music hangs together with a completeness and precision you rarely see. Likened musically to current artists such as Dave Matthews and often referred to vocally as a male Natalie Merchant, it is not enough to list his eclectic influences -- Elvis Costello, REM, Paul Simon -- because O'Donnell is staking his own territory.

The emotion he brings to a song, sometimes wistful, sometimes smoky, dark and even threatening, could teach most musicians a lesson on presence.

In the studio he clearly knows how to give and take with a full band, letting strings, guitars, and background vocals, as well as a few audio surprises fill in the mix with emotion. But he also isn't afraid to step out from behind all that and take control of the song. On the album, great lead work mixes with a complex weave of drums and other instruments to make for a strong and thorough sound. As for the lyrics -- raw, honest, and powerful -- they are worthy of a veteran. With his writing, O'Donnell slaps us across the face and shouts 'wake up!' Stressing the importance of a lyric's ability to comfort us, condemn us, kill us and save us in the process. He has always felt a deep connection to the written word, citing that his musical fascination was launched at a young age upon hearing Harry Chapin's Dance Band on the Titanic. "I became obsessed with his music. It was a blend of very large themes and powerful orchestrations. Chapin gave me a great gift because it was through his music that I first realized the power of the written word." Of course, the Beatles had an impact too. "While they were masters of the 'hook,' they were also masters of so much more...that showed me the important balance of proficiency and restraint." Taking pointers from these greats, O'Donnell incorporates an eclectic use of rhythm, melody, and lyric that are at once poetic and universal.

Brendan O'Donnell is a traveling musician based in New York. His devotion to the music keeps him out on the road, striving for the exposure and experience to fuel his ambition and a creative process that feeds from the various people encountered on the way. "Without some knowledge of the soul and how we connect with other people we will never feel content. My most satisfying moments touring have been when frequent audience members have approached me, discussing some personal attachment to the writing, sometimes directly quoting lines from the songs months after hearing them only for the first time." You will find him in the clubs and cafés, throughout the Northeast, such as the Bitter End and the Mercury Lounge in New York, Boston's Kendall Café, and Northampton's Fire & Water. O'Donnell's First is more than a great debut, it's a powerful reminder of what the human voice can express. He may well belong with some of the great performers of our era.

For interviews, CDs, and any further information,
please do not hesitate to contact:

Ariel Publicity Artist Relations
   and Promotions
2999 Shady Hollow East
Boulder, CO 80304
Phone (303)443-0083
Fax (303)443-0720

© 2000 Ariel Publicity and Brendan O'Donnell