Marykate O'Neil
Arlene Grocery
December 13, 2002
by David Chiu
Three ways to blow money on a Friday:
1. A copy of Christina Aguilera's Stripped
album=$18.98 list price
2. A movie ticket to the Rob Schneider
film The Hot Chick (with large popcorn and soda) at a Manhattan
movie theater=@$20.00
3. Seeing Marykate O'Neil perform at
the International Pop Overthrow festival=($9.00--more than priceless).
If you picked three, then you know how
to spend a Friday night wisely and got value for your money.
That''s how it was when Marykate O'Neil played at Arlene Grocery
as part of the the Los Angeles-based IPO festival, which showcased
up and coming artists singing their unique brand of smart, and
original pop songs. It was the perfect environment for O'Neil's
music.
This year O'Neil, a former native of Hudson,
Massachusetts who now resides in Brooklyn, New York, released
her self-titled album to some strong accolades. She had previously
collaborated and performed with fellow singer songwriter Jill
Sobule (who had also wrote some of Marykate O'Neil's songs
and had a hand in the production). O'Neil has also performed
at such New York haunts as the Knitting Factory and recently
at CMJ.
For the Arlene Grocery gig, O'Neil did
a brief solo acoustic set with her guitar, playing songs off
of her latest record: the autobiographical "Hudson"
and the observational "Another Saturday," while braving
through the infectiously catchy Mundane Dream. A gentleman from
the audience held up a lyric sheet of the Ringo Starr song "Photograph,"
from which O'Neil sang.
The affable singer/songwriter was in good
spirits, bantering with the audience with some good songs and
humorous schtick, and was met with positive reception. It was
unfortunate it was a very brief showcase given the many artists
who were performing on stage. Perhaps this taste of her music
will encourage people to seek out her CD (which ranked high in
the IPO festival organizer's top 2002 albums list) and check
her out on a headlining show.
http://www.marykateoneil.com
Click on the thumbnails to see
more photos
   
 
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