Artist description Blending a punk adolescence with a seasoning in the house of folk, Life Underwater marks the emergence of James O'Brien as one of America's pre-eminent entertainers. This new release is something far more intriguing than singer-songwriter folk and far more challenging than rock and roll. ›

Music Style Alternative Folk

Musical Influences R.E.M., Dan Bern, Bob Dylan

Similar Artists Dan Bern

Artist History Over the past three years, James O'Brien has built an immersive, unpredictable high-energy show. He has relentlessly pursued atriangle of geography from Boston to Buffalo to New York City; creating a fanbase of writers, poets, singers, sculptors, painters,folkies, punks and rockers ? old and young, who respond to a lyrically intensive, challenging and emotional environment. James?8 song demo CD release, Spirit Days, arrived in March 1998. It polarized listeners, who either responded enthusiastically to it s rawenergy and unbridled presentation or felt unnerved by its take-no-prisoners approach to the solo, live performance record. Whateverthe final analysis, Spirit Days propelled James? touring from a few dozen shows (1997 - 1998) a year to 168 shows in fi ve statesand two countries by end of 1999. It received airplay from WBRS, WDJM, WJUL and WSCS in the New England states andlanded him in the UK for the Brighton Festival in 1998. June 2000 marks the release of James? debut studio album: LifeUnderwater. It features a full band of seasoned players and singer/songwriters (including ex-Jabbering Trout/ex-Jim?s Big Egodrummer Dylan Callahan; nationally acclaimed balladeer and bluesman Kevin So on keys, and Boston Music Awards nominee RobLaurens playing the bass guitar). The record represents ten months of the most intense recording and production effort in the historyof Boston producer Jordan Tishler?s career and reflects a deep mutual respect and creative dovetailing between James and theproduction staff. It is eleven songs long and sonically progressive; capturing, via layers of instruments and weeks of mind bendingmixing, the truckload of sensations that are associated with James? live show.

Instruments Acoustic Guitar

Albums Life Underwater

Press Reviews "James O'Brien is the co-host of the wildly popular open mic at Harvard Square's Club Passim, widely recognized as ther folk music mecca of theNortheast. Fueled by a love of Bob Dylan, punk rock, beat poetry and a penchant for politics, James has fused to gether passion and provocation onthe full length follow-up to '98's Spirit DaysIt's great to hear a record like this, right now. Whereas most "artists" are serving up records that are akin to soft serve ice cream on a summer's day(a few quick licks before it melts), James has made a work that is more like clay, shaped to harden and bake in the sun. Relying on the strength ofsongs like JACINTA, BIG TIME AT THE IRON HOUSE and TRANSMISSION; this disc proves an intelligent and engaging listen. James islyrical ly clever, straddling himself between socio-political commentary and the woes of love, not just writing about what is inside him, but aroundhim. The punk energy is apparent as well on tunes such as THROAT and ANDALE. James is accompanied by himself on acoustic guitars and anarray of guest musicians preserving his sound in rock band format. The roster of locals includes Dylan Callahan, Kevin So, Jordan Tishler, SigiTishler and Rob Laurens.James is a vibrant presence on the Boston folk scene. With the help of a few others he is helping to preserve the scene while ushering in alternativefolk folk for the next generation. It's good to see a young artist being productive in all aspects. I hope this record gets the attention it deserves."John StephenThe Noise (Boston, MA)ÿ

Additional Info james@jamesobrien.cc

Location Boston, MA - USA

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