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Kearney reinvents The Onion
By Lisa Kelly, Sun Correspondent
Article Last Updated: 10/04/2007 11:31:51 AM EDT
Chances are, if you're a follower of local talent, you've heard of Jen Kearney & The Lost Onion. But if you haven't yet caught a performance or heard the eclectic sounds of this Lowell band, October is giving you numerous opportunities to do so.
Front woman Jen Kearney sings lead vocals, plays keyboard and rhythm guitar and sets the base for funky tunes from The Onion. For six years, she's played with a revolving door of artists. Currently she's teamed up with a great mix.
The band maintains its Latin flair with help from UMass Lowell alum Yahuba Garcia, a Boston native of Puerto Rican descent. The Onion also includes rocker Carl Johnson on guitar and Corey Blanchette on the trombone, both of whom now reside in Lowell. Pete MacLean holds his own on drums, Vinnie Briguglio plays bass and Mark Mullins rounds out the sound on trumpet.
"We all venture out and do other projects. It brings out more variety for us musically," says Kearney.
With so many talented artists collaborating in one group, it's hard
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to categorize their sound. Crosses between funk, rhythm-and-blues rock and Latin overtones blend with Kearney's deep and soulful voice give The Onion a style that's all their own. Kearney herself was brought up in a musical household, and was influenced by artists like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince and The Beatles. Listening to many of the tracks off the band's albums Eat and Bravery, you can hear how these legends have affected the sounds of The Onion.
Her raw and soulful tracks about being beaten down and broken, "I Don't Feel" and "Wrong This Time," make for great gut-wrenching mood music when you need it. But there's also happy-go-lucky moments on "Pick Yourself Up" and "Grandpa." Pleasant surprises arise on "Plena De La Cebolla" with Kearney and Garcia singing melodies in Spanish, along with vibrant dance-worthy beats.
With a large MySpace following and fans in and around the Lowell area, the band is spreading itself thick this fall. The Onion plays The Old Spot, 121 Essex St., Salem, Mass. Monday nights in October at 8 p.m. and The Old Court, Central Street, Lowell at Oct. 19 at 9 p.m.
Merrimack Valley Magazine- June 2007
Some say it was the low humidity and the soft summer breeze, while others claim it was the lateness of the season or even the nature of the music. Whatever the reason, last September's Los Lobos concert at Boarding House Park in downtown Lowell played out like the unofficial sendoff party to another spectacular Summer Music Series. In a night full of surprises, one of the biggest may have been the powerful opening set by a local eight-piece soul/jazz/Latin sensation called Jen Kearney & The Lost Onion.
Enraptured by Kearney's soulful vocals, percussionist Yahuba Garcia's relentless conga rhythms, and a trio of funky horns, the smiling faces and shaking hips in the crowd that night confirmed what some Lowell residents have known for years- Jen Kearney & The Lost Onion know how to command an audience. For Kearney herself, playing that night with East L.A.'s Grammy winning veterans was a high point in a fifteen year career that she has sidelined on a few occassions, but to which she is now fully dedicated.
Born and raised in Hingham, MA., Kearney moved to Lowell in the early 90s to study music at UMass. Unfortunately, having grown up in a musical family with no formaly training, Kearney's "play-by-ear" philosophy didn't translate well to the university setting. "There was alot of sight reading and sheet music involved, especially with piano, " recalls Kearney. "So I opted to do open mic nights instead, and to learn from other musicians."
It was this decision, and the musical friendships she would make during this time, that would help shape Kearney's musical career and keep her firmly planted in the Mill City. One of the friendships, with percussionist Yahuba Garcia, proved quite valuable when Kearney decided to recruit a full band in 2001. As on of the two original Lost Onion members still performing with the group (along with trombonist Corey Blanchette), Garcia helped incorporate Latin flavor into Kearney's music. "Yahuba is from Puerto Rico," says Kearney, "so he was born into the culture. Once he found out I was into it, he totally schooled me on Latin music." Garcia continues to play an important part in the songwriting process, regularly assisting with arrangements.
Self-released in September 2006, Jen Kearney & The Lost Onion's album, EAT, was composed by Kearney during the two-year period following a crucial decision to leave her job, sell her house, and take the plunge into a full-time music career. A lengthy stint in the corporate world had - see credits after review.
Discography
Jen Kearney & The Lost Onion- "EAT"- September 2006
http://www.cdbaby.com/kearney2
Jen Kearney- "Bravery" 2002
http://www.cdbaby.com/kearney
Kearney Square- "On Fire" 1999
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Bio
Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion are an original soul/funk/Latin band from the Boston area. With comparisons to Stevie Wonder, Irma Thomas,
Eddie Palmieri and others, they have been bringing their sound to the Northeast in a layered frenzy of soul food spice.
"A few weeks ago, I found gold during a marathon listening session"...something close to the wondrous flavor of prime 70s
Stevie...Kearney qualifies as a well-kept local secret..." - Larry Katz, The Boston Herald- November, 2006
"The band seamlessly blends elements of soul and Latin with a touch of
jazz influence, all in a very natural way. The music on Eat sounds like a meeting between Stevie Wonder and Lydia Pense/Cold Blood at the junction
of Santana and Eddie Palmieri, but without being blatantly derivative. Kearney pulls it off by being an exceptionally able songwriter. Her tunes blend sophisticated melodies and harmonies with sharp, story-like lyrics that offer snapshots of her world." - Alan Chase, The Wire- November, 2006
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