September 4th, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to soulful Americana artist R.O. Shapiro on being selected the ‘Early Bird’ finalist in this year’s NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition. R.O. (Raphael Odell) Shapiro is a purveyor of original Americana music, carefully crafted and soulfully sung. With Jenner Fox he formed the band Odell Fox. The duo started touring almost immediately, cultivating an energetic and intimate live show experience that R.O. has continued to build upon as a solo artist. In Austin, TX, they released two records, the Moon Shiner EP in 2016, and Thank You in 2017.
When the band parted ways, R.O. stayed in Austin, gigging regularly in the hallowed venues of that world famous music scene. It was then he developed the full-band, electrified sound that you can hear on 2021’s King Electric Sessions, his first release since leaving Odell Fox.
In recent years he has typically played solo, touring regularly in the Northeast, California, and Pacific Northwest including Alaska and Vancouver Island. R.O. is a winner of the 2022 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest, and recently recorded with producer/instrumentalist Phil Cook (Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger.) He is currently based in Northern California.
Submit YOUR original songs to this year’s NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition. We have extended the deadline and are accepting submissions through Sunday, September 15.
