Looking for something new to listen to? Passionate and full of conviction, with a big voice and an even bigger spirit, look no further than New Jersey based Singer-Songwriter Randie O’Neil. O’Neil’s roots-inspired sound is an organic blend drawing inspiration real life and delivered as a unique brand of upbeat coffee shop Alternative Pop while sending a message of strength and optimism to her listeners
Independently released multiple albums, EPs, and singles over the years, now she is set to return with new set of songs with her I’m Not That Girl EP to be released in June.
O’Neil’s storytelling comes from a sincere place, working as an adolescent intervention specialist brings a real-world perspective to her lyrics. Drawing on her own life story of having to survive an abusive alcoholic environment as a child, she helps students navigate a complicated world. Through her songs, she conveys a message of understanding and courage to face problems that almost all of us experience at some point in our lives.
Playing numerous live shows O’Neil has become a strong presence in the Tri-State area. She was recently honored by the New Jersey Arts and Music Songwriting Contest for “I’m Not That Girl,” which will be released as a single track come May.
The I’m Not That Girl EP contains a solid five-song set about life, love, pain, and hope. The song “Keep Me In Mind” tells the story of an individual longing for a loving relationship, while “Sister Sister” is the saga of a woman following her passion but dealing with the disappointment of her sisters and other females in her life not showing their support. “The song is for anyone who feels their family doesn’t get them” explains O’Neil. Elsewhere, “Sinners And Saints” documents one’s journey of taking responsibly for bad choices but also learning from them.
The title-track “I’m Not That Girl” journals the painful reality of having to pretend that everything’s OK when it’s not. “I got an invitation to my high school reunion, I hadn’t been back in many years and didn’t have happy memories of that time in my life. I had secrets at home that no one knew about. So, in turn, nobody at school really knew me, at the end of my junior year, I was removed from my parent’s home and sent to live with my grandparents, so at that point, I had to change schools. I didn’t go to the reunion that night. Instead, I wrote this song” says O’Neil. The song “Little Boy Blue” was inspired by the tragic true story about a fifth-grade boy who was so unhappy that one day on his way to recess he jumped head first out second story window to the parking lot below.
Smooth and charming, Americana/Folk-Pop O’Neil puts her whole self into her writing and performances, using honest, clever lyrics about heartache and strength and pairing them with catchy melodies. You can get a taste of what is to come with her latest song “Sinners and Saints” below:
For more on Randie O’Neil: randieoneil.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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