Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Oliver Kennan is band leading songwriter, guitarist, vocalist in front of one of NYC’s most exciting soul ensembles.

“Oh Boy” out May 10th via Hornblow, Tour launches May 9th at Mercury Lounge. See “Which Way Is Up” video now.

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Oliver Kennan as photographed by Shervin Lainez

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Oliver Kennan
“Which Way Is Up” Single
Out Now
Hornblow Recordings





“The song is a conversation with myself about all the things I can’t be sure about, and a way to make peace with that,” explains Oliver Kennan about “Which Way Is Up,” the opening cut on his upcoming debut album. “I used to feel very confident about my view of the world, but I have come to realize how little I am certain about.”

Regarding the music video for the song, Kennan says, “This music video was an idea I came up with one late night while walking over the Williamsburg Bridge. I noticed that the walking path has almost no traffic late at night and the lights and sight line are great. I was listening to music and just started dancing across its length. When I got to the far end I just thought that we had to do something similar with that space.”

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Oliver Kennan – On  Tour

05/09/2019: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (Record Release Show)
05/14/2019: Boston, MA @ Haymarket Lounge at City Winery
05/15/2019: Burlington, VT @ Nectar’s
05/16/2019: Syracuse, NY @ Funk N’ Waffles
05/19/2019: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
05/24/2019: Louisville, KY @ Jimmy Can’t Dance
05/25/2019: Nashville, TN @ The Basement

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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
“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.

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

Pre-Save Link:


Track Listing:

01. Which Way Is Up (STREAM | MP3 | VIDEO)
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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