Mickey "Beans" O'Brien is an English composer and musician.

Early life

O'Brien was raised in an Irish Catholic family in Wandsworth, South London. She started playing piano at the age of eight, learning to play through genres such as classical, swing and ragtime. O'Brien is a classically trained pianist and flutist, but she is also a self-trained composer and arranger. While studying for a degree from

King's College London King's College London (informally King's or KCL) is a public university, public research university in London, England. King's was established by royal charter in 1829 under the patronage of George IV of the United Kingdom, King George IV ...

, she also spent time playing with Past Caring and was part of the squat gig scene with The Libertines, The Others and Left Hand. O'Brien also worked in a vintage shop in Camden Market where many of her peers were musicians from the early 2000s Camden scene.

Career

La Roux

O' Brien is the only original touring member of

La Roux La Roux ( ) is an English synth-pop act formed in 2008 by singer Elly Jackson and record producer Ben Langmaid. The act's debut album '' La Roux'' (2009) was a critical and commercial success, winning a Grammy Award and producing hit singles s ...

since 2008 and has toured the world playing numerous gigs, including Glastonbury and Coachella. She and bandmate Elly Jackson met when her sister recommended O'Brien as a keyboardist. O'Brien was in the band Ali Love, but they disbanded and O'Brien joined Jackson. They have remained very good friends ever since.

Acting

She had a brief role as a burger seller in Mat Whitecross' ''Spike Island'', a film about The Stone Roses because she cites The Stone Roses as one of her favourite bands. She was in a scene with her ex-boyfriend Jim Sturgess.

Radio presenter

O'Brien's extensive knowledge and opinions on music as well as friendly handling of guests, won her a show Boogaloo Radio after being a guest on John Brices' ''Boogaloo'' Show commemorating the death of

Mark E. Smith Mark Edward Smith (5 March 1957 – 24 January 2018) was an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead vocalist, lyricist and only constant member of the post-punk group the Fall. Smith formed the band after attending the June 1976 Sex Pistol ...

of The Fall. Every Monday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm; O'Brien hosts her own radio show live on Boogaloo Radio called ''Beans on Boogaloo''. Her style is informal and friendly, and she chats with guests whilst playing music. Her past guests have included

Alan McGee Alan John McGee (born 29 September 1960) is a Scottish businessman and music industry executive. He has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for ''The Guardian''. He co-founded the independent Creation Records label, r ...

Ian Broudie Ian Zachary Broudie (born 4 August 1958) is an English musician and singer-songwriter from Liverpool. After emerging from the post-punk scene in Liverpool in the late 1970s as a member of Big in Japan, Broudie went on to produce albums (somet ...

, Mark Collins from The Charlatans, and Elly Jackson, her friend and bandmate from

Panelist/Mentor

Currently she is a panelist on CirKT a Mayor Of London run program encouraging musicians and grassroots venues to flourish in London. She appeared on ''London Live'' on 4 March with organizer Anna Doyle to promote the program.

Compositions

Her work of note includes composing the score for Paul Sng's film documentary '' Dispossession: The Great Social Housing Swindle''. This was aired on Channel 5 under the title: ''Social Housing, Social Cleansing''. O'Brien also provided the title music for the trailer of the launch of the book: ''Invisible Britain: Portraits of Hope and Resilience''. Currently O'Brien is composing the score for the documentary ''Theodore'' and working on music for a documentary on X-Ray Spex' seminal singer, '' Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliche''. In January 2019, O'Brien composed a piece o
music
for British designer Edward Crutchley for his show at the Truman Brewery during

London Fashion Week London Fashion Week (LFW) is a clothing trade show that takes place in London, England, twice a year, in June and September. Showcasing over 250 designers to a global audience of influential media and retailers, it is one of the 'Big Four' fash ...

Performances

O'Brien plays very few solo gigs. However; she has collaborated with The Preservation Room on a few occasions and throughout 2015/2016 played gigs for the creator John Kye. She also played for a fundraising gig in Dalston for Poly Styrene, and another charity gig at The Windmill Brixton organised by prolific producer and musician Dan Carey. In July 2018 she played a gig at The Phoenix Arts Bar in Soho.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:OBrien, Mickey Date of birth missing (living people) Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Alumni of King's College London English composers English film actresses English classical musicians English rock musicians English radio presenters Actors from the London Borough of Wandsworth English people of Irish descent Actresses from London Musicians from the London Borough of Wandsworth People from Wandsworth