Mike O'Brien: General Info

Mike O’Brien is a singer songwriter from Montreal, once described as a mixture of Nick Drake and Johnny Cash with a sprinkling of  Tom Waits.  He released his first record (Cockfight, independent) in 2007, and is currently working on a follow-up record with an expected release for the fall.  Along with playing solo shows around Montreal, his guitar skills have allowed him to work extensively as a sideman for such artists as Socalled, Angela Desveaux, David Macleod (Timber) and most recently Vic Chesnutt.

His debut album was released in the spring of 2007; with a few appearances from some of Montreal's locals including Angela Desveaux, Joe Grass, and Mike Evin, the album shows off some of his guitar skills and still has room for his baritone growl.

Along with his solo work, Mike also lends his skills to a number of Montreal bands. He has recorded records with David Macleod, Angela Desveaux and Orillia Opry (Ships at Night Records) and was a member of the now defunct Ideal Lovers.  You may have seen him in the past couple of years on stage with  Montreal’s Plants and Animals (Secret City Records), Yonder Hill, Joe Grass, Angela Desveaux (Thrill Jockey), David Macleod (Ships at Night Records), and Mike Evin.

 

Influences:

Generally whatever would grace the stage on Austin City Limits,
give or take a few... Bluegrass can freak me out any day of the week;
love country-blues, and Ry Cooder is genius. Nick Cave, Tom Waits,
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Angus and Malcolm. Guy Van Duser.

Sounds Like:

Meat and potatoes. Acoustic guitar (lots of fingerpicking),
some singing, and some friends backing it up, mostly on
acoustic instruments.

 

$ 15.00 CDN

$ 9.99 CDN (Online MP3 Version)

Click the Link below to purchase CD .

 

Mike O'Brien recording at Ross Murray's
Happyrock Studios in Wakefield Qc, Canada.
With David Payant on drums and Pierre-Yves Martel on bass.

Video CLIP

Mike O'Brien plays "American Dollar" on Tele-Quebec's
TV Music Hot spot, "Belle et Bum"
Jan 30 2010

Mike O'Brien - Performing at
The Black Sheep Inn
Wakefield, QC - Summer 2009

Mike O'Brien - "American Dollar" CD Launch 2007

For more clips visit the MEDIA section.