Photo: Norman Wong
For musicians interested in showmanship and persona building, self-awareness and humility are rare commodities. John O'Regan — the glammed-up, Kraftwerk-adoring Toronto resident behind Diamond Rings — is a refreshing exception to this rule.
While coming off a tour with his band The D'Urbervilles in mid-2008, O'Regan started experiencing the effects of the nasty inflammatory bowel condition, Crohn's disease. Stationed in a hospital for three weeks recovering from the attack and newly revealed diagnosis, he began developing his current project.
Speaking to Exclaim! about Rings' origins, he called it “not a very glamorous beginning,” but what was more telling of his awareness of both himself and the music biz was this quote: “The kiss of death (in becoming known as a solo artist) is an acoustic singer/songwriter, especially one who's a lead singer in a band.”
This is why O'Regan abandoned his old visual and stylistic hallmarks in the move. Out with the glasses and record collector chic; in with contacts (presumably), neon colors, Ziggy Stardust-esque face paint, increasingly outlandish outfits and a touch of androgyny.
Sonically, the twentysomething has entered new territory, too: In contrast to his group's lean Indie Rock, he now focuses on Synth Pop and Alt Rock with grander, poppier ambitions. Happily, O'Regan treats this band/character like something he plays up for kicks instead of rejecting his old self and pretending the past doesn't exist. Image isn't everything, but Rings evidences that panache sure can reel eyes and ears in handily.
DIAMOND RINGS perform Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 20th Century Theater in Oakley with Stars and California Wives. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.
While coming off a tour with his band The D'Urbervilles in mid-2008, O'Regan started experiencing the effects of the nasty inflammatory bowel condition, Crohn's disease. Stationed in a hospital for three weeks recovering from the attack and newly revealed diagnosis, he began developing his current project.
Speaking to Exclaim! about Rings' origins, he called it “not a very glamorous beginning,” but what was more telling of his awareness of both himself and the music biz was this quote: “The kiss of death (in becoming known as a solo artist) is an acoustic singer/songwriter, especially one who's a lead singer in a band.”
This is why O'Regan abandoned his old visual and stylistic hallmarks in the move. Out with the glasses and record collector chic; in with contacts (presumably), neon colors, Ziggy Stardust-esque face paint, increasingly outlandish outfits and a touch of androgyny.
Sonically, the twentysomething has entered new territory, too: In contrast to his group's lean Indie Rock, he now focuses on Synth Pop and Alt Rock with grander, poppier ambitions. Happily, O'Regan treats this band/character like something he plays up for kicks instead of rejecting his old self and pretending the past doesn't exist. Image isn't everything, but Rings evidences that panache sure can reel eyes and ears in handily.
DIAMOND RINGS perform Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 20th Century Theater in Oakley with Stars and California Wives. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.
