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MIKE O’DOWD
releases stunning debut album
‘ONE LOVER LEAVES’
Debut Album Out September 29
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Support for Mike O’Dowd
‘Game Of Love’ First Play on Double J Tower of Song
“A lilting acoustic guitar and raspy vocals shape this troubadour who, through his music, shares his lived experiences.” (Scenestr)
“Mike O’Dowd shows wisdom and strength beyond his age through his soft vocal and dynamic arrangements.” (Beat Mag)
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Australian indie-folk singer/songwriter Mike O’Dowd invites listeners on a poignant journey through the intricacies of love, anguish, and self-discovery with his debut album ‘One Lover Leaves’, set to be released on Friday, September 29. Available on vinyl and all major streaming platforms, this collection is a raw and honest exploration of the human experience of love, painted with O’Dowd’s signature evocative storytelling and poetic lyricism.
Featuring O’Dowd’s previous singles ‘Game Of Love’, ‘They Walked Past A Work Of Art’, and the title track ‘One Lover Leaves’, the album boasts an irresistible blend of captivating indie-folk and stripped back contemporary sounds infused with subtle hints of country.
At its core, ‘One Lover Leaves’ delves into the breakdown of a relationship, serving as a chronicle of O’Dowd’s emotions at each crucial juncture. The album navigates the complexities of love and human emotion with unflinching honesty, offering listeners a deeply personal and introspective experience.
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O’Dowd shares his creative process: “This album is about the breakdown of a relationship. The songs chronicle how I was feeling at each particular moment. I tried to not censor or second guess myself in any way during the writing process. Because of this, I feel certain truths are embedded in the songs. I’m still discovering exactly what a lot of them mean, but I know the album is honest and every line is true. That’s the most important part for me.”
‘One Lover Leaves’ unfolds across nine tracks, each a mournful chapter in the story of a relationship at its end. The lead single, ‘Game Of Love’, sets the tone for the album with its dynamic blend of laid-back country-blues guitar riffs and driving drum beats. The track tackles the complexities of love head-on, offering a sense of hope amidst the difficulties.
Following is ‘Early Morning Rain’, a composition that embraces a dark country-folk ambience. It gradually unfurls with delicate layers of tremolo guitar, sweeping strings and sparse piano notes that interplay with the lyrical themes of jealousy and regret.
Continuing to paint a vivid emotional landscape are ‘Only Cross Her Path’ and ‘Moonlight On Your Garden Of Thorns’, touching on themes of guilt and destructive jealousy. Each captures the essence of a slow, full-band ambiance, seamlessly blending sincerity with a soothing touch with ‘Moonlight On Your Garden Of Thorns’ drawing inspiration from the golden era of 1960s country music.
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‘They Walked Past A Work Of Art’ showcases O’Dowd’s tender lyricism with a lulling melody, creating a space for introspection and self-reflection as he weaves metaphor after metaphor about a disintegrating relationship. In the title track, ‘One Lover Leaves’, O’Dowd takes the forefront with a tenderly plucked electric guitar, his compassionate vocals leading the way while drums and bass provide a solid foundation. This song embraces a dark and somber tone, skillfully conveying the perils of investing too deeply in another person.
‘Painting Light Across Her Lilies’ and ‘When Autumn Leaves Fall’ both radiate a sense of hope and change to the album’s narrative. These tracks embody the seasons of relationships, acknowledging their ebb and flow. Heavenly finger-picked acoustic guitars and O’Dowd’s heartwarming vocals take centre stage, complemented by the gradual emergence of string accompaniments and pedal steel courtesy of Jon Graboff from Ryan Adams & the Cardinals.
Closing out the album is ‘Mona Lisa’, a stripped-back reflection on growing apart and the possessive nature of love. O’Dowd’s poignant lyrics are paired with gentle accordion and airy strings, offering a beautiful conclusion to this heartfelt journey.
‘One Lover Leaves’ is a heartfelt and impassioned music journey that paints a vivid picture of a relationship at the end of its story. Mike O’Dowd’s debut album is set to be released on Friday, September 29, and will be available on vinyl and all major streaming platforms.
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Follow MIKE O’DOWD
Website – Spotify – Apple Music – Youtube
Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram
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AMNPLIFY – DB
My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.
Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.
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