Coco O’Brien’s interest in sound and music started with Detroit techno, obscure radio and the UK drag scene.
Colleen was born in Canada, and raised in the United States, near Detroit MI, where her love of music began through the Detroit techno scene, and interest in obscure, local radio station, WCBN.
In 2015, she moved to the UK to complete a degree in Fine Art at Norwich University of the Arts. During her studies, she began working with sound as a creative medium, composing original tracks to perform at local drag shows and performing as a part of various underground, sound art events across Norfolk. By the time she graduated in 2019, she had refined a practice of creating interactive sound installations, exhibiting her work as a part of the European project Heriligion and achieving second place at graduate competition, Free Range art show on Brick Lane, London.
Wanting to refine her technical understanding of sound and music production, she went on to complete a Masters in Digital Music and Sound Art at the University of Brighton. Focusing her research on gender identity within music, she continued her investigation of drag performance and music, while producing in industry standard studios. While she was studying, she began a career in radio, working as a content creator, DJ and co-presenter on Atlantic Waves for local radio station, 1BTN.
After completing her masters in 2020, she began working in Gold Tone Studio. She currently manages the studio’s social media presence and assists with engineering recording sessions and the mixing and mastering process.
Education
University of Brighton 2019 - 2020
Digital Music + Sound Art MA
Distinction
Norwich University of the Arts 2016 - 2019
BA: Fine Art
First Class
OCAD University 2013 - 2015
BA: Integrated Media
Second-year
Awards
Free Range Art Show 2019
Second-Place