Journalism
Patrick O'Boyle
Writer
United States
United States
Journalism
My profile of a beloved local man's journey into and out of homelessness, and how his recent brush with death effected an entire community.
An illuminating interview with Venezuelan Americans about the economic and political crisis currently gripping their mother country.
A delightfully strange interview with Tyler Baum, creator of The Charlotte Omelette.
A review of the American Utopia tour, a dazzling, incredibly-choreographed production from David Byrne & co.
My interview with the accomplished fine artist and UNCC faculty member John Hairston, Jr.
A concert review / interview with the Grammy-winning Taj Mahal.
An in-depth research piece about the history of a bygone Charlotte landmark, which had stood vacant for nearly a decade at the time of publication, and has since been demolished.
The story of how employees collectively bought and saved an iconic NC video store after the regional chain was dissolved.
Copywriting & Editing
I assisted HUSH studios with the creation of narratives brought to life in their interactive "Economic Graph." The display, designed for LinkedIn Headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA, allows viewers to "choose their own adventure" and navigate through simulated LinkedIn journeys. In my collaboration with designers at HUSH, I researched, wrote and edited much of the copy in the display.
Travel Writing
An epic day-trip to the Quilmes ruins, the oldest-known Pre-Columbian human settlement in Argentina. As I climb the mountainside where this indigenous group held out against colonization, I explore their amazing and tragic history, which bizarrely culminates in the branding of Argentina's biggest domestic beer brand.
The story of a perfect few days spent in Cafayate, a town surrounded by vineyards in northwest Argentina. Highlights include a long bike ride through the Quebrada de las Conchas, a winding sandstone canyon; mistela, a local sweet wine; and locro, a rich stew enjoyed with our host and his family.
Memoir of a long, colorful, complicated night watching Carnaval parades in a dusty desert outpost on the Bolivian Altiplano.
Criticism
A review of Roberto Bolaño's In Parentheses, a posthumously-published collection of essays and articles from New Directions.
An essay on a canonical work by the Peruvian novelist and Nobel prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa.
In June 2014, I visited the Museo Nacional de Belles Artes in Santiago, Chile. I wrote about experiencing La Vida Eterna (Eternal Life), a large exhibit of surreal, intoxicating, apocalyptic paintings by Guillermo Lorca.
My review of Yesterday, a haunting novella from Hungarian writer Agota Kristóf.
Songwriting
In 2015, I formed a Latin fusion band with siblings Claudio and Liza Ortiz and Davey Blackburn. My contributions to this project included songwriting in English and Spanish, lead and background vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, designing the band's font, and learning to play the bongos. In 2016 we released our self-titled album on CD and Bandcamp. Tracks from this album were featured in the New Latino Sound exhibit in the Levine Museum of the New South.
In 2018, I released my first solo EP, Silent Desert, produced by Jeremy Snyder (Pure Adult) and recorded at the Seaside Lounge in Brooklyn.
I am currently performing with a garage-punk power trio called Psych Ops. I am the principal songwriter, vocalist and guitarist. I also manage the band's social media and handle booking.