Sounds | Marty O'Reilly - Something I Can Feel
- John Van de Mergel
- 15 jun
- 2 minuten om te lezen
Tijdens een zoveelste scroll sessie door mijn social media feed ontdekte ik deze muzikant uit Sonoma, Californië. Ik zou gezworen hebben dat Marty O'Reilly een Ier is (die naam natuurlijk, maar ook de folk invloeden). Met jeugdvriend Chris Lynch (viool) en Jeff Kissell (standup bass) vormde hij The Old Soul Orchestra. In 2023 kon ik hen live aan het werk zien in De Floeren Aap (Mechelen). Na vier full albums en één EP was de tijd gekomen voor een solocarrière. Something I Can Feel is de eerste single. O'Reilly blijft zijn roots - die liggen in blues, folk en soul - trouw, al klinkt hij hier een pak meer ingetogen dan ik van hem gewoon ben. Hij doet zelfs sterk denken aan Ray Lamontagne: even ruw, even intens emotioneel, even soulful.
Rhinefarm verschijnt dit najaar.
Luister ook naar: Jam in the Van 2024 (live)
Lees
There’s something about Marty O’Reilly’s music that feels like it’s always been here—like an old story being told in a new way. His voice is raw and real, his guitar playing gritty and soulful. It’s music that doesn’t try to be anything other than honest, and that’s exactly why it hits so hard.
He pulls inspiration from the roots of Americana; his sound references folk greats like Woody Guthrie, blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf, gospel pioneers like Sister Rosetta Thorpe, and master storytellers like Tom Waits. It’s a sound that captivates and connects audiences, and leaves them wanting more.
His live shows aren’t just concerts—they’re cathartic experiences. One moment it’s soft and haunting, the next it’s wild and electric. The kind that stay with you long after the lights come up.
But it’s not just about the sound. Marty’s songs dig deep into the human experience—loneliness, connection, love, loss. Whether it’s an intimate solo set or a full band show, he makes every audience feel like they’re part of the story.
Over the years, Marty has built a dedicated following through relentless touring and staying true to his craft. He’s shared the stage with artists like Shakey Graves, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Sarah Jarosz, and Alice O’Donovan and played at festivals like Bottlerock, SXSW, and High Sierra Music Festival, but his focus has always been on making music that means something.
Marty has poured everything into his music—spending years on the road, self-funding his albums, and navigating the ups and downs of life as an independent artist, husband, and father. But through it all, he’s never lost sight of why he started: to make honest music that connects.
If you’re looking for music that feels real, that makes you stop and listen, Marty O’Reilly is someone you need to hear.
