Robert O’Connor

Complications within his original recording contract would mean the track wouldn’t see the light of day until November 2006, when it became a double A-side release with “Spend The Night”, an original composition written and co-produced by O’Connor together with Steve Hogan. Hotpress magazine named O’Connor a “top honours singer/songwriter” upon the single’s release.

O’Connor spent the first half of 2007 writing and recording tracks for his debut album in Dublin and Amsterdam, working with established Irish musicians Shane Fitzsimons, Fionan de Barra, Brian Grace and Cian Boylan to name just a few.

The album ‘Distance’ spans a number of genres, though O’Connor had initially intended on creating a concept album. “My time in Amsterdam working with Mourad Bouchiba changed my vision for the album”, says the singer. “He taught me that I could be eclectic and focused all at once”.

Whilst in Amsterdam, O’Connor recorded one of his all-time favourite tracks: “Killing Kind”, a track he had performed at his first professional gig at Sugar Club in Dublin during 2006. The track, written by American country singer Shelby Lynne, was turned into a duet with Moroccan singer/songwriter, Aziza el Messaoudi.

Four further tracks from the Amsterdam sessions have made the final cut of O’Connor’s debut, entitled Distance. “Destination Anywhere”, written together with Robert’s long-time friend Emma O’Donnell, takes a darker approach, lyrically and musically, with a haunting piano riff throughout, whilst “I’ll Be The King” is as tongue-and-cheek as it comes: “I tell you openly that I don’t see a future/your shoes don’t match my point of view, what’s wrong with this picture?”

Instead of releasing his work during the Christmas rush, O’Connor took to the stage, performing at venues in Dublin such as The Hub, Eamonn Dorans and Whelan’s, playing unplugged versions of keys tracks from his debut album.

2008 has arrived, and Robert O‘Connor is ready. He will release Distance, an album Robert describes as “35-minutes of questions about life and love”, on April 14 through Universal Music/Matchbox Recordings. The album’s lead single, “How Many Times (Can We Say Goodbye?)”, will be released digitally on the same day.

Spend The Night/Ten Years Time – November 2006
(UK & Ireland, Matchbox Recordings)

How Many Times (Can We Say Goodbye?) – April 2008
(UK & Ireland, Universal Music/Matchbox Recordings)

ALBUMS:

Distance – April 2008
(UK & Ireland, Universal Music/Matchbox Recordings)

1. How Many Times (Can We Say Goodbye)

[See post to listen to audio]

2. Spend The Night

[See post to listen to audio]

3. Ten Years Time (Radio Edit)

[See post to listen to audio]

Amazing (Live)

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Look Of Love (Live)

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How Many Times (Can We Say Goodbye?) (LIVE)

Click here to view the embedded video.

In an accompanying review, HMV said:

“Robert describes his debut album as “35-minutes of questions about life and love”. His honesty does not stop in his press statements but continues all through this album. Ranging from the tongue-in-cheek to the sorrowfully beautiful, it’s no surprise to hear he’s been tipped as Dublin’s next big thing in songwriting.”

“This shouldn’t really be our cup of tea, but O’Connor emerges from this issue’s singer-songwriter crop with top honours. Featuring a gentle piano, cello and acoustic backing, it’s an almost identikit Ben Folds copy (especially the vocal) yet still works well, maybe for that very fact.”

From Hotpress Magazine (March 2006)

“CASTLEKNOCK singer and heart-throb Robert O’Connor is on the crest of a wave. His debut album, Distance – just released through Universal – is flying off the shelves. A former model, Robert has been described as an Irish James Blunt, who is wooing fans with his own lyrics. He’s a welcome fresh voice on the singer-songwriter scene. But the nicest thing, however, is that he still has his feet firmly on the ground and isn’t fazed in the least by all the hype and attention he’s suddenly receiving.”

From Irish Daily Mail (06-05)

“Robert describes his debut album as “35-minutes of questions about life and love”. His honesty does not stop in his press statements but continues all through this album. Ranging from the tongue-in-cheek to the sorrowfully beautiful, it’s no surprise to hear he’s been tipped as Dublin’s next big thing in songwriting”

HMV album review (21.04)

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1. Official Website → www.robertoconnorofficial.com
2. Myspace Profile → myspace.com/robertoconnoronline