Wednesday, March 13, 2019

NYC-raised band leader Oliver Kennan is songwriter, guitarist, vocalist behind one of city’s most exciting soul ensembles.

Debut album “Oh Boy” arriving via Hornblow Recordings, May 10th. See high-wattage music video for “Waiting” single now.

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Oliver Kennan as photographed by Shervin Lainez

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Oliver Kennan
“Waiting” Single
Out Now
Hornblow Recordings






‘Waiting’ is a modern take on the rock and soul of the past,” says Oliver Kennan. “It’s the classic story of a young man searching for love in the loneliest big city in the world, NYC.”

The music calls back the up-tempo funk of Tower of Power circa “What is Hip” with a contemporary swagger and Oliver plays the part of the lonely loverboy with equal parts conviction and good humor.  The band channeled the vintage sounds of their favorite records by recording live to tape at The Bunker Studios and Thump Studios in Brooklyn. The track was produced by Graham Stone and mastered by Bob Ludwig.

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More about Oliver Kennan

“Some people have an internal monologue,” explains NYC-based bandleader, Oliver Kennan, “I have an internal jukebox and I want to show people what it sounds like.”

Beneath Kennan’s youthful appearance lies an old soul. A first listen to “Waiting,” the second cut on his debut album Oh Boy (May 10th, Hornblow Recordings) makes it clear that his internal jukebox is stocked with classic 45s from the golden age of soul and funk. It’s the vintage kind, where you can see the inner workings behind the glowing glass dropping your current bop into play. On Oh Boy, Kennan is spinning bits and pieces of those records into something entirely his own.

The jukebox is stocked with modern hits, too: Kennan’s stated influences range from Otis Redding to Arcade Fire, Dr. John to Radiohead, and Wilson Pickett to Amy Winehouse. Kennan’s vocals, songwriting, and guitar playing skills honor all of his heroes, classic and contemporary, but his greatest talent may be in leading his band. The ensemble is comprised of accomplished performers in their own right, and together they are one of the city’s most exciting soul ensembles.

Kennan’s pushed himself when it came time to record Oh Boy.

“I was inspired to record everything live to tape just like my favorite classic records,” he explains. “Recording live gives the music an organic feeling, full of idiosyncrasies, which shows what a band can really do without modern studio techniques.”  The recording setup also made for a fun feeling that permeates the grooves and makes these tunes jump up and out.

“My goal was to show who I am and what I believe in,” Kennan confides. “I want people to feel like they’re reading my journal on the dance floor at my party.” Oh Boy by Oliver Kennan arrives May 10th via Hornblow Recordings.

Oliver Kennan is available for interviews. Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.

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Oliver Kennan
Oh Boy
May 10th, 2019
(Hornblow Recordings)

Pre-Save Link:


Track Listing:

01. Which Way Is Up
02. Waiting (STREAM | MP3 | VIDEO)
03. The One (PRE-SAVE)
04. Quiet
05. Interlude
06. The Tinkerer
07. Unsubscribe
08. The Last Laugh
09. Yes Ma’am
10. Around the Corner

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Oliver Kennan - Links


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Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic Promotion


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