Anton O'Donnell

When done right, some songs can take the roof off the place. Others can silence it with pure heartfelt emotion. Mixing the two, from the raucous venue to the most intimate of spaces, or on the same record, is another musical sphere entirely. It's hard to get right, let alone as consistently and successfully as Anton O'Donnell has. With incomparable balladry, and a world renowned articulation of all things Americana and beyond, the Glasgow based songwriter and musician always delivers this most elusive kind of musicality and stagecraft.

From Texas to Rome, Nashville to Paris, Berlin to Rotterdam, reviews have been consistently impressive from his near-constant performances and tours. In the Netherlands his solo sets were praised by TheBluesAlone for their "convincing, spicy and catchy songs... that contain confrontational strong lyrics." Hannah Compton of Building Our Own Nashville writes that his won't be a name she forgets any time soon.

This has also been the case in the press. The articles focussing on latest album Tomber Sur PRW are no exception. "He doesn't sound like anyone else on the market," writes John Apice of Americana Highways, highlighting the distinctive tone of his voice. Geoff Wilbur calls the record "gritty, heartfelt, immersively engaging" and "a great beginning to end listen."

It has been a relentlessly busy few years for Anton O'Donnell. 2020 releases include: ‘Boy Living for the Weekend’ (with Anton & the Colts). Solo cuts 'Say Their Names', and 'On the Way Down'. The Christmas release of his debut E.P. Christmas Ain’t The Same. Summer of 2021 brought another E.P. Where Art Thou April? which features some of Glasgow's finest musicians from bands Blue Milk, Al & The Bad Decisions, Emerald State and Awkward Family Portraits. Phil Bennett of Starship (formally Jefferson Starship) and Frank Swart made guest appearances. March 2023 saw the release of his single ‘Kindness’. May brought a tour of the United States, during which he released Forty's The New Thirty, a self-produced album of stripped back songs of old, and new.

Lockdown couldn't stop him - quite the contrary. Ever the unstoppable force, he began work on the acclaimed Tomber Sur PRW in 2020. Approached by California based Need To Know Music, he worked the project with esteemed producers Brian Brinkhoff and Frank Swart. A stellar cast of musicians, including Russ Pahl (pedal steel), Rob Ickes (dobro), Mai Bloomfield (cello) and his old sparring partner Roscoe Wilson (guitar, backing vocals), help shape a truly unique and timeless record.

An ambitious 28 date European tour quickly followed, taking in venues on and off the beaten track throughout the continent. It was met with widespread acclaim. He returned home, voice seasoned ever more, songs tight, and took to the stage again. The studio beckoned too.

Anton O'Donnell is indeed a name not to be forgotten. Fortunately, audiences and listeners both new and old won't forget. There's a new album to come, songs always in the works and unforgettable performances forever on the horizon. Expect more to come, without a doubt in your mind, from one of the finest voices we have. Even in uncertain times, expect nothing less from Anton O'Donnell.