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Finneas O'Connell

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Finneas O'Connell was born in Los Angeles on 30 July 1997. His parents are both actors and musicians. At twelve he took a songwriting course with his mother, and from then on he wrote and produced songs himself. As a teenager he also worked as an actor, appearing in the television series Glee, among other things.

Music and breakthrough

His best-known work was made with his younger sister Billie Eilish. He wrote and produced all of her music with her, including her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019). It earned him Grammys including album of the year, and he became the youngest ever winner of the producer of the year award. With Eilish he also wrote No Time to Die for the Bond film of the same name, and What Was I Made For? Both songs won an Oscar. He also worked with artists such as Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Rosalía and even Ringo Starr, and composed film music. As a solo artist he released the albums Optimist (2021) and For Cryin' Out Loud! (2024).

Influence

O'Connell says that his experience as an actor helps him when writing for others: he tries to write from their voice, their words and their range. When he writes with his sister, he mainly wants to help tell the story she wants to tell. That close collaboration between brother and sister, without a big studio or a team of writers, made them one of the most successful duos in pop this century.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to bad guy by Billie Eilish (2019), produced by Finneas. Notice how little happens in the song: a deep synthesizer bass, dry clicks and Eilish's soft, almost whispered voice. Listen too for the unexpected turning point at the end.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists