![thumbnail_patrick3[2]](https://i0.wp.com/musicotfuture.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thumbnail_patrick2032.jpg?resize=387%2C368&ssl=1)
Meg E. Galv
What is your name?
Patrick O’Neill, I’ve been releasing music under the name Like Lions since around 2012.
What is your genre of music?
Indie-Pop
Give us a little bio about you.
I was born and raised in Spokane, WA the eldest of three kids, I have one younger brother and one younger sister and I grew up surrounded by my massive extended Irish-Catholic family. I moved to Seattle in 2007 at 18, I spent 2008-2009 studying audio engineering and in 2010 began working on the album that would become Like Lions debut record, “All Be Fine.” I took a brief hiatus from making new music and playing live in 2015-2016 to complete a one year curriculum from Berklee School of Music in audio engineering, production and orchestral composition. That time gave me a new lens to look at Like Lions through and I’ve spent the past couple years re-working my sound, and writing a ton of new music. This month I’ll celebrate three years of marriage with my wife Megan O’Neill, who has been my partner since 2008.
What made you go in to music?
My whole family is full of musicians so I’ve been singing and playing music for a long as I can remember. When I was 10 years old my twin cousins, Curran and Riley Long and I started a cover band playing mostly old Motown and Beatles songs, I’d sing and my cousins played piano and drums. When I was 12 years old another cousin, Kevin Long (also a musician) introduced me to Nirvana and so began my curiosity with the guitar. I picked up the guitar at 13 and that’s when I was really able to begin writing songs on a regular basis.
Are you signed?
No
Tell us more about the single “Older”.
April 24th, 2019 (the release day for “Older”) also happens to be my 30th birthday. As I moved toward that milestone birthday this past year I began reflecting on the past decade of my life, the ups, the downs, the wins and the losses. “Older” is about coming to terms with the mistakes you’ve made, embracing the present and appreciating that life keeps on moving, whether you’re ready or not.
Describe the track in two words.
Nostalgic, optimistic
What was the writing process like?
Winters in Seattle can be long and, this past one was no exception. I spent most of November and December 2018 cataloging instrumental productions to write lyrics/melodies to. I started narrowing down the tracks in January and zoned in on roughly a dozen songs. “Older” was the first song that I completed the lyrics for and it laid the groundwork for the vision behind the album it will be a part of; “An Aging Millennial”
What was the recording process like?
During my 2015-16 hiatus from new Like Lions music I began converting the basement of my home into a recording studio I call Two Pines Studio, and that’s where the majority of all my music is written and recorded.
Who did you work with on the single?
“Older” will be my first fully self-produced single to be released.
Do you have any shows coming up or a tour in planning?
I finished recording “An Aging Millennial” this past month and now that I’m done I’ll be fleshing out a set and will be playing some shows this summer/fall.
What else can we expect in 2019?
I have two more singles planned this summer, the next will drop in June and another called “I Remember” with local Seattle singer PSA will come out later this summer. The album “An Aging Millennial” will be released in August 2019.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
I’ve got singles with Seattle artist The Environment and another with Portland singer David Unlayao coming out in the coming months, and finally a single with Greek producer Mel Ody will be coming out in late summer 2019.
What instruments do you play?
Guitar, Piano & Bass
Who are your influences?
I was heavily influenced by Nirvana and the Beatles as a young songwriter, and in my teen years I had an eclectic variety in music taste, I equally shared time listening to artists like Outkast, Dr. Dre, Elliott Smith and Pedro the Lion. In the past few years Bon Iver, James Blake and Benny Blanco have had a huge influence on my production and writing style.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
By living life outside the studio. I do draw a lot from my personal life and my personal experiences and observations of this wild world we live in.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I spend most of my time hanging out with my wife Megan and my two dogs Cooper and Puma, exploring the beautiful Northwest or working on home-renovation projects around the house/studio.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
It’s not about what makes you money, it’s about what makes you happy
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians (not about the industry, just as an artist)?
Don’t focus too much on what kind of music you think you’re supposed to be making or trying to assimilate to whatever genre you appear to be closest to.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.”
It’s kind of a dark quote hahaha, but I think it helps keep me grounded and appreciative of these lives we’ve been given.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
