"The overall feeling of the record is technical but chilled out. Even on the more bombastic tracks (generally the ones with rappers), there is a smoky, devil may care tenor that makes this a great headphones record."
-Reviler.org

This is a 3-song demo of the album.

The latest creative production from Twin Cities drummer and producer Graham O'Brien, Live Drums is an instrumental alt hip hop album. The distinguishing element on this album is that each track is driven by O'Brien's live-performed and uniquely processed drums, giving it a dynamic and improvisational feel. Along with the instrumentals, Live Drums also includes his work with a few of his favorite vocalists such as Kristoff Krane, Adam Svec, Alicia Wiley, Eric Blair and DVS.

O'Brien has recorded with, performed and or produced a large body of work in collaboration with many well-known Twin Cities hip-hop artists including Eyedea, DJ Anatomy, Crescent Moon (Kill the Vultures), Kristoff Krane, Junkyard Empire, Carnage and No Bird Sing.

Compositionally, Live Drums is informed by the likes of DJ Shadow, EL-P, Postishead and Massive Attack. As a drummer Graham draws inspiration from Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta), Billy Martin (Medeski Martin and Wood), and TwinCities locals Jt Bates (Fat Kids Wednesdays) and Peter Leggett (Heiruspecs, Big Trouble).

Album art by James Penfield

Contact:
grahamobrien80@gmail.com

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Graham-OBrien-Music/286244485817?ref=t

Myspace:
www.myspace.com/grahamobrienmusic

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Graham's peers:

"With “Live Drums” Graham O”Brien has created a document that musicians and serious listeners of art will need to experience. Its not just the astounding depth and scope of his facility on the drums or his breadth as a instrumental performer, arranger, sound organizer and producer. Nor is it simply the precision and capacity with which he captures, reproduces and outputs with such clarity, seamlessly embodying influences of the past, present and future. What lies beyond the beauty of its pensive, heavy, intellectual and chaotic moments, is a vast amount of musical information, of hidden secrets and shadows that continue to be discovered and uncovered."
- Peter Leggett (drummer w/Heiruspecs, Mason Jennings. Exec. Director of Walker West Music Academy)

"Incredibly creative record. unreal textures. a basquiat painting on drums."
- Bill Mike (guitarist of the Bill Mike Band, Unknown Prophets):