We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonny O’Brien. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonny below.
Hi Jonny, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I think the project that has meant the most to me so far is the record I just finished recording. I’ve played in a lot of bands over the past 15 years, but they always seemed to have an ‘agreed upon’ sound or directions amongst the group members. Embarking on this solo record, after taking some time away from music, has been a sort of, reintroduction to myself and I am discovering new things about what makes me me.
Jonny, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, I started playing music at a very young age. My mother thought it important that I learn to play piano when I was about 5 or 6. But I always remember loving to sing. I was that kid with the little cassette player and microphone; putting on shows in the living room and singing along to all for one, Michael Jackson and boys to men. But I wouldn’t play piano for long. Once I had my eye on guitar, there was no stopping me. My uncle Frank taught me to play a song on his guitar on a vacation one year and that was it for me. I started taking lessons almost immediately and began writing my own songs. Actually now that I think about it, i don’t know where the idea to start writing songs came from. It just seemed like what I was supposed to do. With the combined love of playing and performing music, I knew from a young age what I wanted to do with my life. And that desire, for the most part, has never ceased. I think that’s what makes my music special. This love has been with me my entire life. When you listen to my music, you’re hearing all that time, all those experiences. It’s sincere and genuine. I love what I do and I want my audience to feel like they’re a part of that when they see me perform.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Actually, I think my move to Austin illustrates that best. I wasn’t in the best place before I moved here with my wife. I had just left a band that was not a good situation for me and it left me feeling used, unappreciated and uninspired. When Covid hit, I was bored and playing my guitar a lot and decided that since I had all this time, I would try and write and record some songs in this really old version of GarageBand on my laptop. They were awful but I loved the process and it sparked something in me again. All of a sudden there was a desire to find out what music I like to write, and what sounds I can create on my own. When my wife and I decided to move to Austin to start our own respective careers, I had no experience in being a solo artist. I had never booked my own shows before. And I was moving to a city where I knew no one, during a pandemic. The odds felt stacked against me but I was still driven to make things happen. And after two years, I’ve met some incredible people, played more shows than I ever have, and recorded my first solo record. But learning to take joy in the journey has me truly appreciating every accomplishment to its fullest.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The thought that talent is everything. Talent is great, but what creates success is determination and specifically in my field, practice. There are times when you’re flying high and those are great. But also times when it’s tough and you can’t let that break you. Learning to keep pushing myself is the main reason I’m still doing playing music.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/itsjonnyobrien
- Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/jonnyobriensings
- Youtube: Jonnyobriensings
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0REowaFu6bZjp9U9CqBs4R?si=2nQTWm5uR3-sP-1wwjjncQ Bandcamp: www.bandcamp.com/jonnyobrien