On August 17, The Burbs will be performing at 89 North in Patchogue on Long Island, with William Ryan Key. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will help those that are dealing with phenylketonuria (PKU). “It feels great,” O’Connor said. “There is no better feeling than sharing the stage with your buddies doing what you love. It’s our first time performing there and we couldn’t be more excited.”
When asked what to expect, O’Connor responded, “You can expect a positive and outgoing experience from The Burbs at this show. We are all about the energy and performing to our fullest extent, working the crowd, and making everyone feel apart of the show. I’ve always felt when you go to a show, you shouldn’t be paying to just see a show, you should be a part of the show. That’s how I hope people feel when they see us play.”
On sharing the stage with William Ryan Key, O’Connor said, “It is such an honor and an unbelievable experience, especially since 89 North is a venue that holds 500 people. For me, personally, Key was a huge inspiration growing up and you always dream to be able to play with the people you admire. I have been fortunate to be on the same festivals as him in the past, but this is a whole different level in my eyes.”
A portion of the money will aid those that are dealing with PKU. “PKU is such a rare condition that it is easy to be overlooked or unheard of, but the severity of it is on extreme levels with serious health conditions pertaining not only to physical health but mental health as well creating disabilities. I hope this show creates more awareness and a stronger drive to cure this condition,” he said.
Digital transformation of the music business
O’Connor also opened up about the digital transformation of the music industry. “In today’s world, everything is done with technology. These include jamming in the band room, recording scratch tracks on your phone, recording in the studio, distributing music on all the streaming sites, and promoting it all on your personal and band’s social media sites,” he said. “Literally, everything is connected to technology. Long gone are the days of handing out flyers to your next show at other concerts, standing on street corners handing out demo CDs, let alone pressing CDs. It’s a whole different world than it was when I first started playing music.”
Regarding O’Connor’s use of technology in his daily routine as a musician, he said, “Personally, I use it daily for promotional use for our music, shows, and the band page. I also use it when we’re working on music. Well record the track on our phone and I’ll keep it on repeat for days in my ear and type the words that come to me on that same phone streaming the song.”
For their fans, O’Connor concluded, “I can’t wait to see and meet you all at the August 17 show at 89 North Music Venue. It’s going to be a fantastic night filled with amazing music by a talented lineup thrown together by Bellport Brewing Co. And L.I.M.E. This truly is going to be a night to remember, and I’m excited to experience it all with you.”
To learn more about rock group The Burbs, check out their official Facebook page.