Casey OBrien

Casey O'Brien is an improviser, composer, and bassist whose work embodies the spirit of exploration and the search for connection. Currently based in Northern Thailand, Casey’s journey as a musician began in the vibrant Twin Cities music scene in Minnesota. Raised in a home filled with both the avant-garde and the familiar—from free jazz rehearsals in the basement to evenings filled with the sounds of Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, and Run DMC—Casey’s eclectic upbringing laid the foundation for a life immersed in music.

Improvisation lies at the heart of Casey’s artistic philosophy. Guided by the idea that music is the tonal organization of sound, Casey approaches improvisation as a process of discovery and presence, embracing ambiguity and the unpredictability of the moment. Their compositions reflect this ethos, serving as scaffolding rather than rigid structures. By integrating polyrhythms, unexpected melodies, and phrases that transcend conventional boundaries, Casey creates music that invites spontaneity and evolution.

Travel and movement deeply inform Casey’s work. Albums like Ghost Dance (2015) and Eudemoic (2016) capture this connection to place and emotion. Ghost Dance emerged from a series of weekly gigs in Minneapolis, where constant reworking and collaboration allowed the music to breathe and evolve. Eudemoic, in contrast, draws on field recordings and found sounds gathered across Thailand, Spain, France, and the United States, blending these elements into a meditative exploration of cultural and personal landscapes.

Most recently, Arkive Sessions (2024) documents the energy and camaraderie of a working band during a six-month residency at the Northgate Jazz Co-Op in Chiang Mai. Recorded in a single afternoon, the album reflects the rawness and immediacy of improvisation, capturing moments of risk and discovery that make the music come alive.

Casey’s bass playing serves as the anchor of their sound, providing both foundation and fluidity. In ensemble settings, they navigate the dual roles of support and dialogue, crafting lines that are as melodic as they are rhythmic. Whether performing in intimate clubs or on international stages like the Sons d’Hiver festival in Paris, Casey’s music invites listeners into a world of wonder and possibility, challenging them to hear the world in new ways.