Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg O’Connor
Hi Greg, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a composer, songwriter and record producer based in Los Angeles. I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and learned how to play piano by ear when I was around 4 years old. As a kid I always messed around by writing instrumental music to scenes in my head or coming up with simple song melodies. I started taking classical piano lessons around age 6 and played piano and alto saxophone in the high school concert and jazz bands, played piano in the Notre Dame University Jazz Band and sang in the ND Glee Club. After college, I attended the film scoring program at USC. Once I graduated, I got my first paying gig scoring a sketch comedy show on Fox called “The Sunday Comics.” That gig led me to scoring and writing the featured songs for 11 different sketch variety series. The variety show experience was like a master class for me in composing in many different genres and working under many different scenarios, whether it be a comedy, a drama, a documentary, a virtual reality experience or an animated film.
I also began to write and produce songs for other recording artists. All this experience led me to record my first solo artist album “The Place I’ve Never Been” which was just released.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had many successes in my career. But I would also say for every success I have had ninety nine failures. I think it is important to understand the “long game” of being an artist. Most of us start out waiting for a big break. I do not believe that exists. I tend to look at each success that I have had as a tiny victory. Those victories come in various forms, at random times and under unusual circumstances. There is no particular pattern to it. Once you feel you are on a roll and on the other side of the struggle, the cycle starts all over again. But once you look at the bigger picture, over a period of years, you can cut and paste all of your tiny victories into a bio and that series of successes becomes your legacy. This is how it is for most people who have longevity. There may be exceptions to this path where someone hits the jackpot with a huge gig but they are usually short lived.
The most important thing that I have come to understand is that, first and foremost, my job is to create art to the best of my ability. But I also must be a psychologist, a business person and a team builder. These are the skills that I can and must bring to the table. The rest of the entertainment business stuff such as gatekeepers, genre playlists, nepotism, politics, and timing are all out of my control.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in writing scores and songs for all visual media. I do not feel that I specialize in any one particular area since I have been fortunate enough to have scored projects in pretty much every genre. Working for many years in sketch comedy has given me the tools to compose for any situation and to be able to serve the story. With that said, I am most known for composing the score and songs for the long running series Mad TV, being nominated for 4 Prime Time Emmys and winning one. I have also been fortunate enough to have co-written songs for the band Chicago, produced songs for Barry Manilow and worked with many other notable artists and actors.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability to understand the psychology of a storyline, to understand what a director or producer wants and to be able to work in both the world of scoring and songwriting. I also understand how to make recording artists and actors feel comfortable in the studio. It is important to be collaborative and to be willing to think outside the box.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I have had the good fortune of working in many different ways. I have written songs in the room with people, over Zoom or Facetime, and back and forth with writers while each of us works separately. I have written songs based on lyrics that are in a script, songs based on someone else’s experience and songs based on a major plot point in a film. Now I am finally getting around to writing songs based on my own personal life. I have met film producers, directors, musicians and songwriters in many different and unexpected ways. I have connected with many by referral, some over social media, a few at the gym and several on a set. I am always open minded as to where and when the next great partnership will come.
I think we can all support each other by checking out each others work. We can be artist advocates by going to screenings, attending concerts, sharing their work on social media and by just reaching out and letting people know that they are appreciated. We are in a challenging industry and what we do as artists is vulnerable. It is important to spread the love. Everyone needs it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gregoconnor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greg_oconnor/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gregsongs1
- Other: NEW ALBUM LINKL: https://found.ee/0dQCb
Image Credits
Kevin Sikorski @escaperealife
