{"id":15300,"date":"2023-05-30T10:38:58","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T09:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cassandravoices.com\/?p=15300"},"modified":"2023-05-30T10:38:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T09:38:58","slug":"musician-of-the-month-evin-obrien","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casswp.eutonom.eu\/index.php\/2023\/05\/30\/musician-of-the-month-evin-obrien\/","title":{"rendered":"Musician of the Month: Evin O’Brien"},"content":{"rendered":"

I always considered myself a late bloomer when it came to music. Growing up, I didn’t have many opportunities to play instruments, and I chose to focus on art rather than music during my secondary school years. <\/span>Becoming a better musician seemed like a mysterious journey with no obvious roadmap.<\/span><\/p>\n

I credit my Dad for introducing me to some incredible artists like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd & Jethro Tull. In return, I introduced him to the captivating sounds of Radiohead, a band which <\/span>played a pivotal role in developing my appreciation of interesting chord progressions and ambiguous harmony.<\/span><\/p>\n

We listened to a lot of music together and<\/span> aged fourteen my Dad surprised me with my very first guitar \u2013 an SX acoustic steel string. I remember eagerly trying to bend those strings in the style of Jimmy Page, with no great success. It would be some years before I would get round to purchasing my first electric guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n

I struggled as a teenager to envisage my future career. I was less concerned with money, status, or even moral virtue. Instead, I found myself preoccupied with what the day-to-day experience would be like. I would ponder different paths, like the idea of becoming a doctor \u2013 helping people, earning a good income, a respectable profession. But then I would wonder, ‘What would the minute-to-minute reality be like?’ Would it involve blood, guts, and smelly feet? High stakes with people’s lives on the line? \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s why I find myself where I am today \u2013 as a musician and a teacher. I derive immense joy from the everyday moments in my career. It’s not about the grand aspirations; it’s the day-to-day experience that fulfils me. Whether I’m playing music or sharing my knowledge as a teacher, I find deep satisfaction in the present moment. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Revelation! \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not long after finishing school, I stumbled upon a YouTube video of Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ arranged for solo classical guitar. It instantly captivated me, and I dedicated that entire summer to learning the piece from start to finish. The experience brought me an unparalleled joy \u2013 the intricate polyphony, the interplay between the upper and lower voices, and the sublime harmonic movements, all projected from my own instrument! It was a revelation \u2013 I had finally found something I could pour hours into. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I discovered I had a knack for memorizing lengthy pieces, so I embarked on expanding my repertoire. Attending classical guitar recitals at the National Concert Hall became a regular thing, as I aimed to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of the classical guitar world. By the time I enrolled for lessons with Leslie Cassidy<\/a><\/span> at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in 2013, I had already delved into the works of various composers, including Villa Lobos, Tarrega, Barrios, Koshkin, and Albeniz. This played a pivotal role in shaping my technique and opened my ears to a more contemporary range of harmonies as I explored the guitar repertoire from the romantic period onwards.<\/span>
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My time with Leslie was absolutely crucial to my growth as a musician. I eagerly looked forward to our weekly Saturday morning lessons, where he meticulously reviewed every piece I had learned, correcting my mistakes and helping me break free from bad habits \u2013 especially my woeful right hand technique. Though my time with Les lasted only two years, he was an incredibly supportive and motivating mentor and teacher. I miss him dearly, and I often wonder what it would be like to have a conversation with him today, at this stage of my musical journey.<\/span>
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