The Paul O'Sullivan Band explained

The Paul O'Sullivan Band
Origin:
Genre:Pop rock
Years Active:2016–present
Label:Unsigned
Associated Acts:Dropout Year
Current Members:
  • Paul O'Sullivan (rhythm guitar/vocals)
  • Paul O'Sullivan (bass)
  • Paul O'Sullivan (lead guitar)
  • Paul O'Sullivan (percussion)

The Paul O'Sullivan Band is an internationally based pop-rock band comprising four members, all named Paul O'Sullivan. The band members often use geographical nicknames ("Baltimore Paul", "Manchester Paul", "Rotterdam Paul", and "Pennsylvania Paul") to avoid confusion.[1] Despite a common misconception that "Paul O'Sullivan" is merely an agreed-upon stage name, as part of a larger gimmick, all four members are legally named Paul O'Sullivan.[2] [3]

History

Their debut music video (for the song "Namesake") was released on February 4, 2020.[4] The "Namesake" music video garnered 20,000 views during its first two weeks, catching the eye of T&T Creative Media. On March 25, 2020, the band signed an exclusive licensing deal with T&T Creative.[5]

On February 1, 2021, the band made their national television debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show.[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

On February 6, 2021, CBS National News aired an interview with the band conducted by Chip Reid.[11]

On April 8, 2021, the band announced a fundraising campaign in which 50% of their profits would be donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The campaign lasted three months, and led to the release of three new singles including "Before It Even Started," "The Last Man Standing," and "Namesake (Electronic Remix)."[12]

On May 26, 2022, "Baltimore Paul" and "Pennsylvania Paul" performed four songs together at Union Stage in Washington D.C. This was the first public performance, of any kind, on behalf of the band.[13]

Origin

During the formation of the band, Paul O'Sullivan ("Baltimore Paul") intended for the group to be a trio. The vision was to create a trio composed of "Baltimore Paul," "Manchester Paul," and "Killarney Paul" (a lead guitarist from Killarney, Ireland also named Paul O'Sullivan). Ultimately, Killarney Paul was unable to join the group because of a prior commitment to his own band, Greywind. Shortly thereafter, Baltimore Paul asked a Paul O'Sullivan from Rotterdam, Netherlands if he wanted to join the band. "Rotterdam Paul" accepted the invitation, and became an official member of the band. Similarly, "Pennsylvania Paul" decided to join the band as the group's percussionist.

Once the lineup was solidified, the group shifted their attention to songwriting. Baltimore Paul and Rotterdam Paul would frequently send song demos back and forth to each other through the private messaging feature on Facebook.[14] [15] [16] Ultimately, they worked together to create a basic 'skeleton' of their song "Namesake."[17] Next, they gave the 'skeleton' of the song to bass player "Manchester Paul" (so he could write his respective part for the song). Given the remote nature of their collaborative process, the song had to be 'pieced together' at a professional recording studio.[18] This process was executed by Grammy-nominated engineer/producer Eric Taft at The Buzzlounge Recording Studio in Beltsville, Maryland.[19]

Members

Discography

Singles

TitleDetails
"Namesake"
  • Released: March 18, 2016
  • Label: Unsigned
"Before It Even Started"[21]
  • Released: April 9, 2021
  • Label: Unsigned
"The Last Man Standing"
  • Released: May 28, 2021
  • Label: Unsigned
"Namesake (Electronic) [EST Dance Remix]"
  • Released: June 30, 2021
  • Label: Unsigned
"We Didn't Start the Fire (Part Two)"
  • Released: May 9, 2022
  • Label: Unsigned
"I Can't Find the Reason"
  • Released: November 10, 2022
  • Label: Unsigned
"Thriller"
  • Released: November 30, 2022
  • Label: Unsigned
"Ready"
  • Released: TBD
  • Label: Unsigned

Music videos

TitleDetails
"Namesake"[22]
  • Released: February 4, 2020
  • Director: Matthew Hoffacker
"We Didn't Start the Fire (Part Two)"
  • Released: May 9, 2022
  • Director: Paul A. O'Sullivan

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Paul O'Sullivan found people with his name on Facebook. Naturally, they formed a band.. January 25, 2021. The Washington Post.
  2. Web site: How Four Men With The Same Name Formed The Paul O'Sullivan Band. January 30, 2021. NPR.
  3. Web site: The Paul O'Sullivan Band. September 15, 2022. BYU Radio.
  4. Web site: Beck. Julie. 2020-03-13. An Anthem for Everyone Who's Ever Googled Their Name. 2021-01-13. The Atlantic. en.
  5. Web site: Eldersburg's Paul O'Sullivan started a band whose members share passion for music and the same name. November 30, 2020. The Baltimore Sun.
  6. Web site: What's on TV Monday: 'All American' on the CW and more. January 31, 2021. Los Angeles Times.
  7. Web site: The Kelly Clarkson Show: Season 2, Episode 84. February 2, 2021. IMDb.
  8. Web site: The Kelly Clarkson Show – February 1 2021. February 1, 2021. TV Everyday.
  9. Web site: The Kelly Clarkson Show Season 2. February 1, 2021. Rotten Tomatoes.
  10. Web site: The Kelly Clarkson Show Season 2 Episodes. July 9, 2021. TV Guide.
  11. Web site: Four men with identical names form a band online. February 6, 2021. CBS News.
  12. Web site: Here's How a Group of Strangers With the Same Name Started a Virtual Band—And Friendships to Last a Lifetime. October 14, 2021. Reader's Digest.
  13. Web site: The Paul O'Sullivan Band Setlist. August 23, 2021. SetList.fm.
  14. Web site: 7 Good News Moments from 2021. December 20, 2021. The Skimm.
  15. Web site: 4 strangers with exactly the same name start a music band while living in different parts of the world. January 13, 2021. Times Now.
  16. Web site: They forged enduring friendships from massive, same-name group chats. September 16, 2022. Input Mag.
  17. Web site: Four strangers all named Paul O'Sullivan form a band — despite living in different cities around the world. January 27, 2021. cbsnews.com.
  18. Web site: The Paul O'Sullivans: A band united by a name. November 9, 2022. Reader's Digest UK.
  19. Web site: Alumnus searches for name twins and creates four-musician band of Paul O'Sullivans. February 16, 2021. The Hill Magazine (McDaniel College).
  20. Web site: Multiple Men With The Same Name Form Paul O'Sullivan Band. January 15, 2021. National Public Radio.
  21. Web site: The Paul O'Sullivan Band's Story Started With The Pandemic – They're Resolved It Won't Stop There. April 8, 2021. Forbes.
  22. Web site: Guys With the Same Name Form a Band. January 26, 2021. Audacy.com.