Time: 7 p.m.
Cover: $10
Declan O’ Donnovon http://declanodonovan.com/tour/
With a raw, gritty and unique voice, singer/pianist Declan O’Donovan is a master storyteller who draws his audiences in with evocative lyrics, a sense of humour just this side of dark, and a sweet melodic charm that is plain irresistible. Moving his deft fingers along the keyboard, swiftly changing from blues & roots rock to Canadiana and back again, this genre-bending singer/songwriter possesses a truly organic sound and a story (or two) to tell.
“Although comparisons to Tom Waits can be made, O’Donovan has a unique voice, and is emerging as an internationally-recognized songwriter and equally skilled as a musician.”
- Barry “Jack” Jenkins, What’s Up Yukon
Born and raised in the Yukon Territory, O’Donovan has lived part-time in both Whitehorse and Montreal since 2007. During the long northern winters, O’Donovan can be found in the land of the midnight sun, sequestered away in a log cabin with nothing but the bare necessities, a piano and his songs, just as his award-winning lyrics from the song Cheap Souvenir could indicate:
The bright light and the days so long
As soon as it comes, it's gone
I'm so high, thinking so clear
I know it all means nothing cause you're not here
Over the last two decades he has performed, collaborated and recorded with numerous bands; most notably the beloved Yukon-based alternative blues/rock group Scotch and two Montreal singer/songwriters, Brie Neilson and Johnny Griffin. The summer 2012 release of his debut self-titled record brought O’Donovan to new audiences around the world, with extensive airplay and reviews in Germany, Belgium, Canada and the USA - including spots on the !earshot National campus/community radio charts and the Roots Music Report charts. Cheap Souvenir, a composition featured on the album, won him the West Coast Songwriters International Songwriting Competition in the Blues Category, the only Canadian finalist. O’Donovan’s CD was voted #11 on the Blind Lemon Blues Top 20 Blues Albums of 2012.
A troubadour with a wanderer’s soul, Declan O’Donovan will be touring across Canada throughout 2013. Do not miss your chance to catch this brilliant young artist in action.