Conor Walsh

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I typically categorize the songs on this upcoming album into three groups: pre-pandemic, post-pandemic, and songs that were written well before the pandemic but might as well have been written during the pandemic. This first song fits two categories. Two out of three ain’t bad, right? (Rest in peace, Meat Loaf, and Jim Steinman).

In 2019, I was dating this girl who might as well have been a Disney princess come to life. She was the sweetest thing, with big hazel eyes that were just unreal. Honestly, she looked like a legit Disney princess, and she had the personality to match it. Not just that, but was a gorgeous singer. In December of 2019, I asked her if she could be her own Disney princess, what would her princess be like. She told me she’d love to be a fairy princess- very earthy and woodland. So, I decided to attempt to write a musical around that for her. The musical was garbage, but it did give me a few good songs.

“That First Step” was supposed to be that “I want” song that you’d hear early in the first act that sets up the main character’s motivations. The song had a whole other name at first, but much of the verses were the same. Flash forward to July 2020, through all the craziness, I found a sliver of inspiration. I thought, “I’m getting sick and tired or feeling sorry for myself.” Then this other line was stuck in my head, “Do you ever get that sense or feeling that you were born for so much more?” That was very profound to me. I went back to the songs from the musical, came across those old verses and tried writing it again.

Talk about Christmas in July, but one song that influenced the theme of “That First Step” was “One Foot in Front of Another” from Santa Claus is Coming to Town. It may be a seasonal movie, but that’s an inspirational song for any day.

When it came to arrangement, I was heavily inspired by the Tarzan soundtrack by Phil Collins and Mark Mancina. It is easily my favorite Disney soundtrack. Plus, the jungle vibes were perfect for the woodland feeling I wanted when I was originally writing the musical. This is the first song that I presented to the band, and I think our efforts on it laid out the groundwork for everything else that was to come. 

Special thanks to all who played on this track: Alex Hitrick, Ben Grant, and Joe Benevento!

https://linktr.ee/conorwalshmusic

https://conorwalshmusic.bandcamp.com/album/away-from-home

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for the roof over my head, and for the bed that lays below it. I am thankful for the love and support of my parents. We may not be perfect, but we can a strong unit and we do our best for each other. I am thankful for my education and how I was able to graduate this year. I am grateful for the countless numbers of people I got to meet through all my schooling, and the beautiful relationships I have had. I am thankful for the friends who became family and I am blessed to have in my life. I am grateful for my music and that I am in the position to follow my passion. And it is today that I give a part of me to all of you. “Away from Home,” my passion project of the past 4 years, is finally out and is all yours. This album is a testament of my first three years in college. Yes, the songs influenced me throughout and of course I recorded this all in my 4th year, but they really tell the story of those first 3 years. And since writing this album, I have songs that tell the story of my last year of college and onward. This album is a snapshot of time for me. Moments I am proud of. Moments I am not. Moments where I loved and learned while others I lost and didn’t quite get it right. It’s a tale of love and loss, desperation and inspiration, and the road towards maturity. There are so many people who made this album possible. From all the friends and relationships who inspired me, to all the friends who physically worked on this album with me. Thank you all so much. I am humbled by these experiences, and I’m excited for the new ones to come.

Conor Walsh: Songwriter, Engineer, Producer, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, MIDI Controller

Alex Hitrick: Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Kevin Bennet: Percussion

Tia Malai Mathison: Percussion

Robert Friedman: Electric Bass Guitar

Aidan Sloppy: Lead Electric Guitar, Rhythm Guitar

Zechariah Allen: Trumpet

Nick Rivera: Acoustic Guitar

Maddie Hempstead: Vocals

Emily Mousouroulis: Vocals

The Golden Notes: Vocals

Zachary Hess: Engineer

Brian Dono: Engineer

Kelly Bird: Vocal Coach, Vocals, Consultant

Sean Wendell: Production Consultant, Audio Technical Advisor

Sister Mary Ann Nelson: Faculty Advisor

https://walsh-wednesday.castos.com/

Pre-Order Away from Home today! At the moment, only Spotify is up; however, shortly it will be available for pre-order on all of your other favorite streaming platforms!

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/conorwalsh/away-from-home

So, this is either going to go really well or really badly…

I wrote “Shine” in early 2017 about the societal unrest that I was witnessing. Hate, brutality, corruption, discrimination, oppression. We say we are an advanced society, but in many ways we are not. Worst of all, I did not like seeing the fear in my friends’ eyes. It was my first year in college, and it certainly gave an interesting perspective of things. Thinking back 3 1/2 years ago, I don’t think I could have imagined all that has happened within the world.

This video was a spur of the moment thing to do, but once I committed to it, I was all in. Everything in this video is here for a reason. There is a purpose to almost every little detail. This is one of those videos you’ll need to watch several times to grasp everything. And I hope it sparks conversations. Legitimate conversations and dialogue. I set out to point out issues I’ve noticed throughout the years, and tried to present them through the use of symbolism and imagery.

We are all included in the global scheme of things. Our actions have consequences. Our absence has consequences. Our words have meaning. Our silence has meaning. For those of us in the United States right now, go out and vote. That is how a democracy should work- it should be the voice of the people. If you want to see change, the change starts with you. Do your duty as a citizen.

Lastly, I would like to point out that many cultures believe something similar:

“Treat others as you would yourself be treated.” — Hinduism

“What you yourself hate do to no man.” — Judaism

“Hurt not others with that which pains you.” — Buddhism

“Do unto all men as you would wish to have done.” — Islam

“Live in harmony, for we are all related.” — Lakota Proverb

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” — Christianity

Our experiences are unique, but emotions and our humanity are shared amongst all of us. Let your inner light shine through. This song, along with much more, will be available on “Away From Home,” releasing November 27th, 2020. Preorder will start October 23rd.

Yes, its official everyone! If you tuned into ZAM Radio with @teravex_ , then you already know. I will finally be releasing my 2nd full length album (1st studio recorded album) and senior capstone project, “Away From Home,” on Black Friday, November 27th!

Why am I just putting this out now? Well, I held off releasing it publicly immediately following my senior playback back in December of 2019 because I wanted the chance to promote it. Prior to Covid, I was planning a small tour to coincide with a summer release. Unfortunately, that all changed, and from the moment things shut down, I’ve been waiting for the “right moment.” But sometimes there is no right moment unless you just make it happen. As I’ve said many times, if the opportunity isn’t there for you, then make it for yourself.

This album chronicles my first three years in college. During quarantine alone, I have changed so much. I am in whole new place in life. I’ve experienced so much, bared many emotions, and have written so much new material since then. I’ve held onto some of these songs up to 4 years now, and it feels good to finally set it free so I can move on to the next chapter.

I have a lot more coming out in anticipation of the release, so stay tuned. Thank you all for your continuous support and love! We’ve got much more to come!

Just like many musicians during this time period of Covid-19 and social distancing, we have been channeling our time to our craft. This is a song that has come out of this time period, desperately wishing we could all go out soon- safely- and get to enjoy celebrating and dancing together. This is “Dance With Me”

For the rest of the month of May 2020, I will be donating the proceeds of this song on BandCamp to New York Cares’s Covid-19 Relief Fund! Learn more here:

https://conorwalshmusic.bandcamp.com/track/dance-with-me

It all started a couple weeks ago when my mom and I were talking, and she told me that I needed a summer dance song. I told her I’ve been trying for so long to write a happy fun single for a while, but with no luck. Well, as soon as she left the room, I said to myself, “What am I supposed to write? ‘Dance with me! Dance with me! Woah-Oh-Oh!’… Wait a second…” And I was up from 9pm-4am writing the lyrics and overall arrangement. It was also in that time that I came up with the concept of the music video!
A big shoutout must be made to Sean Wendell for playing guitar on this track, along with his production assistance.
I am super excited about this song, and I think that this is a great way to start the summer after graduating college! Thank you so much to all my friends and family for their support in the last 4 years. Each year of college has felt like a whole life in itself. The period came with a lot of challenges, but it also came with a lot of blessings and new opportunities I would not have had elsewhere! I created a whole new family, and created a great launch pad for myself moving forward. I am blessed to have you all in my life.
Thank you for taking this journey with me, and I hope you Dance With Me!