Bring It On / Fragile State / Driftwood and Dreams / Move On / Nirvana Man / The Place Where We Are / Piano Girl / What's a Girl to Do / Remote Life / In Too Deep / Beautiful / I'll Be Yours / Clear and Blue / Sailing Solar Wind

O'C RECORDS

The debut album from Scottish singer/songwriter Esther O' Conner, THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE finds her delivering a record that makes for perfectly pleasant listening; a singer in possession of one of those instantly likeable voices that immediately lets you know you're in safe hands.

Opener BRING IT ON is a song that whilst hardly the most exciting or groundbreaking of affairs, is nevertheless one that passes the time nicely enough.  A good solid slice of radio friendly pop, we find O'Connor pitching herself somewhere between Missy Higgins, Nerina Pallot and The Corrs, this is toe-tapping pop built on lush production and a rousing chorus, slick programmed beats pulsing behind those hypnotic vocals.  It's the voice that provides the real heart and soul here, Esther O'Connor managing to hit the notes with a power and conviction that sets her out as an untouchable singer.  The similarly bombastic pop of FRAGILE STONE finds O'Connor delivering more in the way of radio friendly fodder, chiming guitars and solid choruses echoing a sound that practically screams Radio 2 friendly hit.

The acoustic title track THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE points towards a more sombre and downbeat side, tear stained melodies dancing around the tender fingerpicked guitar chords whilst the self explanatory PIANO GIRL finds Esther O'Connor attempting a passable Tori Amos impersonation.  With shades of the epic, I'LL BE YOURS is Sinead O'Connor by way of U2, a tender ballad hinged on an atmospheric chorus and lush sound waves, whilst closing number SAILING SOLAR WINDS is a more subtle and restrained affair that lets Esther O'Connor show off her sublime vocal chords to dreamlike effect.

THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE is a good solid record from Esther O'Connor, you may be hard pressed to fall in love with the songs here, but as a fine selection of charming pop, this is a collection that will leave you well and truly satisfied.

BIOGRAPHY

Fresh from a phenomenal feature in the Sunday times written by Award winning journalist Anna Burnside, and fantastic radio support from BBC Radio Scotland, Esther O’Connor is establishing herself as one of the most exiting talents on the Scottish Music Scene.

Running her own record label. ‘O’C Records’ Esther releases her debut album ‘The Place Where We Are’ Nationwide through Cargo on May the 21st.

Likened to a young Sheryl Crow or Stevie Nicks, Esther, (daughter of Wet Wet Wet’s Graeme Duffin) made her entrance to the music scene in 2000 when just 17 years old. Publishing and recording contracts followed with BMG and EMI Chrysalis and the next 3 years saw Esther, with former band Ashton Lane, touring around the UK including performances at ‘T in the Park’ and ‘V Festivals’.

Esther, now a successful solo artist on her own label has been touring all over the UK with her forthcoming album ‘THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE’. This has seen her share the stage with The Zutons and Son of Dave and draw celebrity fans, including Natasha Bedingfield, to her London gig at the Bedford. She is touring again from March 2007. This tour will see Esther play fantastic venues nationwide and appear on BBC radio stations across the country.

Esther’s forthcoming single, ‘Nirvana Man’, has been picked up by radio and press with interest across the country including support from Tom Morton and Janice Forsyth of BBC Radio Scotland.

With Esther’s captivating live performances and rapidly extending fan base she is sure to burst out of Scotland with the release of her new album and capture the imaginations of the whole of the UK.

LINE UP

Esther O'Connor 

Timothy Joseph

Jamie Duffin 

Scott Young

Michelle Hornby

DISCOGRAPHY

THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE (2007)

Bring It On

Fragile State

Driftwood and Dreams

Move On

Nirvana Man

The Place Where We Are

Piano Girl

What's a Girl to Do

Remote Life

In Too Deep

Beautiful

I'll Be Yours

Clear and Blue

Sailing Solar Wind

LINKS

Esther O'Conner>www.estheroconnor.com

FURTHER LISTENING

Tori Amos

Nerina Pallot

Aimee Mann