O’Hanlon’s musical career began in a band in Newcastle before he went off to study medicine in Edinburgh. Music remained a constant in his personal life, though, as he began recording his very first album with Mick Ross, now CEO at Newcastle talent development agency Generator. Soon enough during his early medical career in Sunderland he realised the importance of nurturing his creative side, leading him to juggle both professions. Alongside his musical pursuits, he now works as a part-time palliative care doctor.
The two worlds, although they couldn’t be more different in nature, are in synergy for O’Hanlon. Inevitably, his career, especially in palliative care, shapes his songwriting as he encounters people during very profound moments in their lives. However, he doesn’t want his music to be solely defined by this profession.
With Always Upwards, O’Hanlon’s focus switched towards self-examination. “It’s easy to look at issues you see in the world and be critical, but not take responsibility yourself”, he says. This shift is most evident in his song 'Again, Again'. Originally written from a more detached perspective, he flipped the narrative to look at his own role in societal problems. “It felt more genuine, a real turning point - if I’m gonna complain about things, then eventually I need to own up to being part of the problem too.”
Sonically, this album pushes boundaries, seamlessly merging folk, electronica and classical elements. “I love to see the way the three of them can melt together,” he says. In his long-standing collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Guy Massey, the two like to experiment with bold sounds, continually pushing creative comfort zones.
Beyond its rich sonic textures, Always Upwards carries a deeper message–questioning society’s illusion of endless progress. “We can’t just keep expecting for things to get better. We have to look out for one another in this precarious world.”
Despite his move to London, O’Hanlon’s ties to Newcastle remain strong: “The North East is still my spiritual home,” he admits, acknowledging Newcastle’s vibrant and evolving music scene, as major labels start to invest more in forming imprints in the area. While London provided him with essential collaborations, personally, he still believes success is not tied to a move to the capital, but rather about finding a creative community, wherever you are.
As for a return to hometown stages? “There’s so much fantastic music and musical friends in the North East, so I wanna keep exploring these collaborations, too.”