P K O'Brien
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Music
Press
...a unique and captivating storytelling song style that holds listeners interested from start to finish. - CKUA Radio Network
Patrick’s compositions and his performances are enchanting. When he takes the stage, a hush falls over the audience. No one wants to miss a single word. While most of his compositions address real life experiences, probably his own experiences, his songs are not without humor. And his humor is the sort that we can all relate to. His performances are always favorites among our audiences who look forward to his appearances at the Springboard Hoedown and Singer/Songwriter night at the Riverhouse in Athabasca. - Springboard Hoedown, Athabasca, AB
Patrick’s compositions and his performances are enchanting. When he takes the stage, a hush falls over the audience. No one wants to miss a single word. While most of his compositions address real life experiences, probably his own experiences, his songs are not without humor. And his humor is the sort that we can all relate to. His performances are always favorites among our audiences who look forward to his appearances at the Springboard Hoedown and Singer/Songwriter night at the Riverhouse in Athabasca. - Springboard Hoedown, Athabasca, AB
The songs of Patrick O’Brien are like night travel on a washboard road! They are dark, rough and gritty but, take you to places you need to go. From an image-filled expose of a per chance meeting in a Midwest bar to the dark beauty of an arthritic asylum survivor, these songs shout "listen." - Bookings Committee, Medicine Hat Folk Music Club
The songs of Patrick O’Brien are like night travel on a washboard road! They are dark, rough and gritty but, take you to places you need to go. From an image-filled expose of a per chance meeting in a Midwest bar to the dark beauty of an arthritic asylum survivor, these songs shout "listen." - Bookings Committee, Medicine Hat Folk Music Club
Out of the rugged American West comes an original folk singer with a passion for story and song. Don't let Patrick O'Brien's rough, gravelly, voice fool you. In it is paydirt. For the discerning and diligent music prospector, his original lyrics barely hide a treasure of witty and wise nuggets that both enrich and entertain. - Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, Southern Region Representative
Out of the rugged American West comes an original folk singer with a passion for story and song. Don't let Patrick O'Brien's rough, gravelly, voice fool you. In it is paydirt. For the discerning and diligent music prospector, his original lyrics barely hide a treasure of witty and wise nuggets that both enrich and entertain. - Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, Southern Region Representative
Discography
Patrick recorded a five song demo with Stew Kirkwood in May 2008 at Sound Extractor Studios in Edmonton, Alberta.
Photos
Bio
Patrick Kevin O'Brien grew up in Los Angeles, but got tired of the traffic and smog and left for Arizona in 1984. Having also lived for various lengths of time in Indiana, Colorado, and Alberta, and having traveled widely in North America and Europe, Patrick is a serious observer of the human condition, warts and all. His songs are people stories infused with the contradictions of humor and sadness, strength and frailty, and hope and desolation that describe humanity. Patrick is an anthropologist with the ability to reflect objectively on his observations, but a storyteller never wants to be too far from his subjects. Empathy is a writer's blessing and curiosity his best friend. Better to fly low to the ground. It helps one appreciate that we're all connected in some way.
Patrick draws inspiration for his writing from almost everything he sees and hears. In addition to being a habitual people watcher, he enjoys using the natural world as a source for metaphors about the human experience. He is also an inveterate reader, and is influenced by John Steinbeck, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Wallace Stegner, Joan Didion, Mark Twain, Timothy Findley, and many others.
Patrick Kevin O'Brien has been writing songs and playing guitar for about 20 years, but spent much of that time learning about life and working as an archaeologist. His musical influences include Bruce Cockburn, Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), Tom Waits, Guy Clark, John Prine, and Neil Young, among many others. With a move to Medicine Hat, Alberta in 2005, he decided to follow a long-postponed dream of writing, playing, and performing in earnest. Lucky for Patrick, he has the support of his family and a group of like-minded musicians and music enthusiasts. In addition, to playing regularly at open mics, he has performed at the inaugural Tongue on the Post Folk Festival, the Alberta Centennial celebration, the Spectrum Festival and the Canada Heritage Day celebration. He has also played in Athabasca, Alberta and took part in the Winnipeg Folk Festival's Folk Retreat in 2008.
Patrick is currently working on two album projects and has recorded a five song demo with Stew Kirkwood at Sound Extractor Studios in Edmonton, Alberta. One of his great joys is playing his songs for any audience that will listen (and some who won't). His goals are to play as many gigs as he can and to complete his first full length CD as soon as he can.
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