Video blog

Hey folks, I'm in Florida right now on a week long tour opening for Antje Duvekot. We've been making a video blog of our adventure and I wanted to share it. This is the first installment. I hope you like it!

I need your help!

When I released my record “Lighthouse”, I really had no expectations that it would be successful or that anyone would buy it. But then it began selling more and more and I began touring more and more, meeting amazing people from all over the country. I have been so completely blown away by the kindness and support you have shown me in my travels. I have been even more amazed by how many people have expressed interest in getting involved. Sending me emails of encouragement, having me play in your living rooms, buying multiple copies of my records so you could give them to your friends, while putting gas in my tank. I wanted you to know that your support has gotten me to where I am ready to release another album!

I am so excited about this batch of songs. I think they are by far my best writing yet and the response to them has been incredible. A while back I asked Producer and Bass player Zack Hickman to produce my next record and he said yes! Not only did he agree to take the project but he is as excited as I am and believes strongly in the material. Zack plays with Singer/Songwriter, Josh Ritter and has produced albums for artists such as Mark Erelli. He’s the real deal and I don’t believe there could be a better fit for this record.

Right now it’s all about the independent artist. Artists are producing and releasing music on their own and with the help of there communities. I am now turning to my supporters and people who believe in the power of independence and in music. You are as much a part of my music as I am and I am honored and humbled to know that you are out there. It’s amazing to me the communities that artists are able to create these days. I’ve had a blast reading all the posts on my Facebook “fan page” and I will respond to every one. I love that you are all involved in my music. I love that you take ownership for the music that you love. Rather than an artist trying to make it alone, it becomes a whole community all trying to make it together.

It is in this spirit that I appeal to you for help. I am going in to the studio on August 17th and I hope to have the record out by November 6th. I have worked out a system of donation levels, each offering different perks, for those willing to get on board with this grass roots effort. If you have any questions, I urge you to get in touch with me directly. email me at chris@chrisobrienmusic.com.

Spread the word! Copy and paste this code into your page to display the Feed The Muse widget.

<a href="http://www.feedthemuse.net/chrisobrien" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.feedthemuse.net/widgets/w1/1000000174" style="border-width: 0px;" /></a>

If you'd prefer to contribute by check, you can send checks to:

Chris O'Brien
44 Benton Rd.
Somerville, MA 02143

Amazing night and a great video

Last night I played at the Blue Door in Oklahoma City with about 10 other musicians. The night was a benefit for Don Conescenti, who broke his leg in a bike accident and had no insurance. I met some amazing people and some really incredible musicians. Early in the night I noticed that Ellis Paul and Sam Baker were writing a song together in the dressing room. Within an hour they had written a truly great song, and by the time it was Ellis' turn on stage we had worked out some great harmonies and performed it live.

After the show we got the video camera out and recorded the song. Here it is.

Looking for House Concerts in the Southwest

Hey folks,

I'm writing to everyone on my list because I'm about to leave for a month in the Southwest and I need to find a house concert or two during the week of May 17-21st. Anywhere in any of the southern or Southwestern states would probably work. House concerts are extremely easy to host and a ton of fun. Just respond to this email if you are interested or you know someone who may be interested. I'm sorry to include everyone on this email but you never know when someone in California knows someone in TX who would just LOVE to do a house concert :)

I'm really excited to be traveling back down to the Southwest and I have a bunch of great shows already booked there (check the schedule out below). I'll be coming back home in June and playing around New England, so stay tuned for more info about that.

I'm also releasing a live CD of my show at Club Passim back in March. I'll let you know when that is available.

Thanks so much for the help!

Weekend show in MA and NH

Hey folks,

I'm playing this weekend in MA and NH. I'm so happy to be home from my recent tour and I'm so psyched about my shows this weekend.

I'll be playing one of the best house concert series in Mass on Saturday. It's called Kiva house concerts and it a wonderful series in Billerica MA. I've played it once before and I've been several times to see other people. The best part is that everyone is invited! Check out http://www.geocities.com/concertlistings/kivahouseconcerts.html for all the info and for tickets.

On Sunday, I'm playing up in Londonderry NH at the Tupelo Music Hall opening for my good friend Antje Duvekot. I've played at Tupelo a couple of times and it's a wonderful room. I'm really looing forward to this show. Whenever I play with Antje it's always a blast. Wesing on each others songs and we'll even be playing a song we wrote together so don't miss it!

I hope you can make it out!

-chris

Last show of the tour tonight in Saratoga Springs

Last night I played to a wonderful crowd at the Barking Spider Tavern in Cleveland. It was a cold, rainy night but inside it couldn't have been warmer. I'm always so amazed when people are willing to travel just to see me play. We had a couple from Canton OH (about 2 hours away) and another couple from Detroit MI (3 hours). With the Celtics game on behind the bar, which was a wonderful surprise, I played for about an hour and a half.

Tonight I'm playing at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Caffe Lena is an amazing folk club and has been around for over 40 years. If you live anywhere near Saratoga Springs you should come, if only to see this amazing venue.

I'll be opening for Mary Gautier, which is a great honor for me. I've known Mary's music since I was in high school. Her record "Drag Queens and Limousines" was literally in my car CD player for 6 months my senior year. She's also the first person I ever saw at Club Passim, which has since become my home.

I'm really looking forward to it and then I REALLY looking forward to going home after :)

http://www.caffelena.org

Duluth MN brrrr

it's cold here in Duluth. I woke up in St. Paul, just 2 hours south and it was at least 65 and very sunny. I got out of my car in Duluth and it was easily 20 degrees cooler.

The show last night in St. Paul was wonderful. Thanks to everyone who came out. Ginkgo's Coffeehouse is a nice place to play. A little loud at times with coffee grinders and blenders occasionally interrupting the vibe, but for the most part a very nice place to play.

I am really looking forward to the show tonight because I'll be playing in the round with my friend Danny Schmidt and John Hermanson. John is in a group called Storyhill. I opened for them at Club Passim several years ago and John is a great guy and wonderful musician.

Madison Wisconsin tomorrow night...

St. Paul bound

I'm about to leave Des Moines IA for the Twin Cities. I'll be playing tonight at Ginkgo Coffeehouse in downtown St. Paul (I think it's downtown, I don't even know where downtown St. Paul is but it sounds good) The place holds about 100 people and I think there are about 99 tickets left, so hurry. Actually I have no idea. I'm really looking forward to being in St. Paul again. This is the first time I've ever really played there. Last time I was there I played to a sold out Fitzgerald Theater (about 1100) but I'm pretty sure they were there to see Garrison Keillor. If you live anywhere near St. Paul, I hope you'll come!

Living the dream in my Toledo hotel room...

yup, I'm here in my Toledo hotel room livin it up. Off to Des Moines tomorrow to visit some family before my tour starts on Friday. I'll be in St. Paul Minnesota on Friday for the first time since I was on "A Prairie Home Companion" 2 years ago. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm worried that everyone there has forgotten me. I got a really nice email today from the producer of Prairie Home saying she wishes she could make it but the show is in NY this week. That was nice of her. If you have friends in St. Paul, send them out :)

I'm trying to be more active with twitter so you can follow me if you want. http://www.twitter.com/chrisobrien26

night.

Chris in the Midwest starting April 17th

Hey Folks, I'll be playing in the Midwest starting this Friday in St. Paul MN. Check my website for all the shows. http://www.chrisobrienmusic.com

If you know anyone in Midwest, send them out to a show. Hope to see you soon!

Brand new website!

Check it out I redid my website! I needed to make a site that I had full control over. It's not a flashy as the other one but it's easier to navigate. It also includes a "lyrics" section with all the lyrics to the songs on "Lighthouse". My schedule is right on the front page, so when you want to know where I'm playing you'll easily be able to find all the info. Check it out http://www.chrisobrienmusic.com

Let me know what you think!

New Song

Hey folks,

I've been doing some home recordings today and I posted one on my Myspace page. You can even download it! Check it out, it's a brand new song called "You Don't Know What It's Like." Let me know what you think. It's very new and kind of raw. I hope you like it!

http://www.myspace.com/chrisobrien

-chris