Nick O'Connor is an eclectic young songwriter writing poetry far beyond
his years. “My poetry is rooted in blues, jazz, folk, and natural
country. I then bring undertones and influences from the beatniks,
hippies, rappers, and new millennium rockers. It is a mixture of the
past and beyond.” Influenced by the west, Nick’s music is reminiscent
of the Dave Mathews Band, The Wallflowers, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, and
Ray LaMontagne.
Nick has teamed up with Grammy Award Winning producer Clark Hagan
to create his latest work of art “Paper Thin Feelings.” “I don't just
communicate my interpretation of my world...I strive to objectively
observe and report what I see, both from an external and internal
perspective.” The EP has received substantial airplay on KBCO, and many
other Colorado radio stations including KGNU, KRFC, and KCSU. The song
“Where Does The Road End?” was also selected by KBCO to be featured on
the 2009 Bolder Boulder Compilation.
In 2008, Nick put together a dynamic, tight group of musicians to form
his backing group, named Pilgrim Road. The band features Kevin Donohue
on Lead Guitar, Brent Bond, (The Big Dog) on Saxophone, and Tim Kohler
on Bass guitar. Together, Nick O'Connor & Pilgrim Road creates a
versatile explosion of artistic and musical fusion.
Nick O’Connor & Pilgrim Road will be finishing their debut LP “Lady
in Pink”, also produced by Clark Hagen in November 2009, and projected
to be released in December 2009. It is being recorded at Macy Sound
Studio in Denver, where names such as Big Head Todd and the Monsters,
The Flobots, and Richie Furay have worked. The album will be an
emotional expression of both the beautiful and harsh truths we face
today, with underlying tones of hope and motivation. The album
showcases both the versatility and musical talent of a tight band plus
the realities and emotional expressions of Nick’s songwriting.
Running Five got their start in October 2007. Two months later they won
first prize in a battle of the band’s competition—the prize—20 hours in
a recording studio. The producer Butch Hause, a Grammy-nominated
producer and former touring bass player for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
was impressed enough by the five talented musicians that he offered to
record a full 7-track CD.
Ian Stewart and Shawn Crowder co-produced the CD with the assistance of
Haas and band manager, Rick Stewart. Jesse Spencer, a graphic-arts
major, designed the CD packaging.
The self-titled CD, Running Five, debuted in summer of 2008. Drew
Morell, University of Colorado Music Professor and professional Denver
musician, says Running Five’s musical talent is diverse as shown in the
CD’s focus tracks, Good Times, Go, and Just Pretend.
The band’s five members—Ian Stewart, Shawn Crowder, Grady Hines, Jesse
Spencer, and Ben Hanson—have performed at weddings, University of
Colorado sorority events, coffee shops, church youth groups and youth
retreats, and venues such as the Oriental Theater, the Rock and Soul
Cafe, the Boulder Band Shell, and many other Local Colorado venues .
The band’s alternative rock and blues sound and connection to the
audience for live performances has a strong following among college and
high school students in Denver, Boulder County and the eastern plains.
The band is currently in the studio recording for there next release.
and is planning a California tour for this up coming summer. Running
5ive
|
