Derek O’Kanos [pronounced: Oh-Kawn-Is] is a musician at the heart of the New England music scene. A powerful vocalist and captivating performer; this solo artist is equally at home on-stage or in the studio.
O’Kanos’ music is best described as a mix of powerpop, folkrock, and alternative. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise as Derek draws influence from the work of: Nick Lowe, John Prine, Ramones, Johnny Cash, Ben Harper, Hank Williams, Thin Lizzy, Marcy Playground, and others. To his own credit, Derek has released 2 EP’s, On the Sleeve (2021) and Spoken Roads (2022). His songs are often upbeat, with lyrics that walk the line between optimism and sardonicism.
Earlier this year, O’Kanos contributed a new song to the compilation series, Here’s Where My Friends Come In, which is available now. Currently, he is continuing to write songs and performing regularly across the Northeast.