315 Music spoke with Doug O’Connor after listening to his and his partner Ann’s band Whitney Road’s new record, Home. It was nominated for a Syracuse Area Music Award, mixed and mastered beautifully, and contains a message of togetherness and collaboration that lets the music shine with the talent of many partnerships pitching in. Home feels like family and is a must-listen from one of the most talented groups in Central New York.
315 Music: What inspired Whitney Road’s new record?
Doug Oconnor: Ann and I consistently write new songs – we love the process of writing, recording, and
producing music. During the Lean In album project (2022) we started collaborating with
other local CNY musicians (including members of our family), which inspired us to
consider another release. The collaboration continued to expand and evolve and it
made sense to release a new collection of our originals. Thus Home was born.
315 Music: What was the recording process like with so many folks collaborating?
D.O.: It really was a blast. There are 14 special guests on the Home album. Building
relationships with all these artists has been an honor for us. The album, and the songs, all
reflect the artistic input of these fine players. Check out the full list of players here.
315 Music: Why do you think music is vital to today’s society?
D.O.: Today’s society is struggling in so many ways. I think music can help: As an escape
from worries, as inspiration for better days ahead, and perhaps even as a
therapeutic effect. When you play or listen to music, it can ground you to be in the
moment, living in the present. Sometimes we all need to be reminded of what really
matters.
315 Music: What are your and Ann’s musical influences?
D.O.: Ann hails from a musical theatre background. She grew up in a house filled with music
and singing. She worked professionally in theatre and is an amazing vocal teacher and
coach. My musical interests were inspired early on by the Grateful Dead and roots
music, folk, and bluegrass.
315 Music: If you could time travel to any musical moment in history, what would you like to
witness and why?
D.O.: Great question – I just saw the Dylan movie (A Complete Unknown) and that time in
NYC in the early ’60s must have been incredible to witness. Another time of musical
magic was the late ’60s and early ’70s in the Laurel Canyon in southern California. Hanging at a
party with CSN, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Buffalo Springfield – that would be
awesome.
315 Music: Favorite meal before a show?
D.O.: Haha – well, we normally don’t eat before we play/sing. A nice glass of fine Irish
whiskey for me and a glass of wine for Ann – that usually covers our pre-show needs.
Post-show – a fine graze of meats, cheeses, hummus, and chips. Yeah, that works!
On first listen, it is so easy to be drawn into each track on this wonderful record. Home works together as a whole, which, in this writer’s opinion, is the best kind of album.
“Try Again,” the first track, kicks off with an upbeat rhythm and underlying message within carefully crafted lyrics. The second song slows the pace down with a gorgeous bluesy lullaby with forlorn visions in “Real.” The next track, “Variations” shows the pedal steel and banjo playfully moving the piece forward, which becomes a theme on the album and is also very nicely used on “Reno,” which might be the standout song on the album.
That being said, it is impossible to pick just one song to fall in love with, as “Little Hills” brings the listener along for a fun sing-along style bluegrass jam.
“This Time” is also an incredible song with Doug’s son Brendan O’Connor weaving a mystical tale that one can imagine being passed around a table full of pickers in an Irish Pub or your favorite local tavern that celebrates the songwriter. Right on cue, the next song, “Scotty McClue” shreds a fun and fantastic Celtic instrumental that gave this listener goosebumps and had me check the fridge for a Guinness.
The talents of each player are on display throughout Home and celebrated so well with the craft and mix. “One True Mile” ends a perfect record with the fiddle keeping pace with Ann O’Connor’s melodic voice. It resembles a dreamy Joni Mitchell. Home harmonizes with the soul of the listener, a love for life, a vision captured so eloquently by all this local talent that, as a whole, is truly breathtaking. Combining the worlds of folk singers with the spirit of Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welch, all with the perfect back end holding it together; it is easy to see why this album was nominated for an esteemed award. Once you spin this album, you won’t even notice it has ended and when it begins again you won’t want to turn it off. Congratulations to the remarkable work of Whitney Road and all their friends.
