Quick Q and A with Chris O'Brien
 by Kathy S-B  ·  30 April 2010

I was hooked on Chris O’Brien the very first time I heard “Rosa” and there’s been no turning back. I’ve witnessed Chris’ many successes and his growth as a songwriter and as a very-fun-to-watch performer. He’s entertaining and impish but also can be serious and thought-provoking.

Learn more about Chris on his website. Here’s a video of Chris playing “Little Red Wagon” at his CD release show at Club Passim.

Goodness, it’s hard to believe that we’ve known each other for nearly three years now. So, since you last checked in here, you’ve had many great adventures and many honors. You’ve played at great fests like Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, and Telluride and you’ve opened shows for greats like Ellis Paul and Richard Shindell. Do you often feel like pinching yourself to make sure that this is really and truly taking place?

It’s been a great few years. Some days are definitely better than others though. For every one of those amazing adventures and honors there are days that are significantly less gratifying. I’ve been extremely lucky though and the things you listed definitely make the toil worth it.

It’s always fun to hear about the high points…but along this rocky road in the music business, I’m sure you’ve had your share of low-lights too. Anything particularly crazy or weird you’d like to mention? Give us the gory details!

Haha, I played in California last summer and one of the venues put me up in the seediest hotel I’ve ever seen. The women who ran the place lived in the room next to mine and were smoking crack. That was one of the lowlights I can think of.

Your new CD Little Red shows a real growth and a notch up on the mature singer-songwriter ladder for you. Did you make an honest attempt to raise the bar regarding the depth of your lyrics and a bit more cutting edge production?

Well, I hope that I always grow as a writer. It’s less of a conscious attempt and more of a natural progression. As far as the production, yes, I wanted this record to be more produced but not over produced. Zachariah Hickman is incredibly talented and I knew it would be a special record if I got him involved. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

Is it frightening to lay your life out there with such self-reflective and insightful lyrics?

Yes, but I think honesty is essential in good writing. It’s the only thing people can connect with on a meaningful level.

While performing such personal songs, do you have to distance yourself from what you’re singing or are you conscious of it as you singing?

I try to be a conscious as possible. It’s the only way for me to deliver the song as it was meant to be delivered. I think if I distanced myself the sincerity of the song would be lost.

You’ve told me that one of your next big goals is to play “across the pond” later this year. Here’s hoping you can make that a reality and allow our friends abroad to hear what you have to say! Are plans in the works for a European tour?

I’m trying. It’s not easy but I’ve been laying the foundation to get over there and it looks like it may happen in October. I can’t wait!