• Some voices need to be heard, front and center, and O'Connor's is one of them.

    — Des Moines Cityview

  • When faced with the task of describing somebody whose artistry is so subtle as to be virtually invisible, the temptation is to throw up one's hands and plead to the mercy of the court. As simply as we know how to say it, Nora O'Connor is damn good. Can't you take our word for it?

    — Riverfront Times

  • Nora has a rich, soulful voice that evokes Patsy Cline's sweet dreams and Emmylou Haris and Gram Parson in their Fallen Angels days and showcases her natural beauty and charm.

    — New York Press
Hometown: 
Chicago, IL

Nora O’Connor is a Chicago-based musician whose vocal talents are the secret weapon behind some of the city’s best performances and recordings. For much of 2013, O'Connor toured internationally as a singer in Iron and Wine, and she continues to record and perform with longtime collaborator, Andrew Bird. Nora also plays bass and sings back-up for Kelly Hogan (she recorded and toured with Hogan for her release I Like To Keep Myself In Pain on ANTI- Records) and in 2010, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy enlisted her and Hogan as primary vocalists on gospel legend Mavis Staples’ Grammy Award-winning album You Are Not Alone. She has been most recently been touring with The Decemberists, singing harmonies and playing a bunch of their really nice guitars

In the studio and on the stage, Nora has backed (among others) Neko Case, Jakob Dylan, The New Pornographers, Archer Prewitt, Chris Mills, The Aluminum Group, Otis Clay, Justin Roberts and Robbie Fulks. Though she may be primarily known for her signature honey-sweet vocals, Nora is also revered among her musician peers for her chops and versatility. She's a solid sender on guitar and bass, an enthusiastic and inspired collaborator, and always ninja-nimble and professional to a T -- just a few of the reasons why this lady's phone never stops ringing.

Along with Kelly Hogan, she's part of the vocal one-two punch for the soul/pop/AM radio geek out band The Flat Five--look for an album sometime soon!

Nora first came to our attention as guitarist/vocalist for the late, great glam-country outfit The Blacks. All these talents must know something about the dulcet tones of Ms. O'Connor, and you should too.

Artist Website
Compilation Tracks: 
Recommended if You Like: 
Tift Merritt
Pattie Griffin
Kelly Willis
Neko Case
Mazzy Star
Amanda Shires
Shovels & Rope
Caitlin Rose

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