FINNEAS O'Connell, known mononymously as FINNEAS, has long been recognized as the older brother and primary collaborator of global pop sensation Billie Eilish. At 27, he has co-written and produced all of her chart-topping hits, including the Oscar-winning "No Time to Die" and "What Was I Made For?" from the Barbie soundtrack. Yet for years, FINNEAS remained in the background, content to let his sister shine. Now, with his second solo album "For Cryin' Out Loud," he is stepping into the spotlight on his own terms, and he is bringing his music to Belgium for the first time as a solo artist.
Born in Los Angeles in 1997, FINNEAS grew up in a family of musicians and actors. His mother, Maggie Baird, is a singer-songwriter, and his father, Patrick O'Connell, is an actor. From an early age, FINNEAS showed a passion for music, learning piano and guitar. He began writing songs as a teenager and soon started collaborating with his younger sister Billie. The duo's first major breakthrough came with the 2019 album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?", which catapulted them to international fame. FINNEAS won multiple Grammy Awards for his work on that album, including Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.
Despite his success behind the scenes, FINNEAS always harbored ambitions as a solo artist. In 2021, he released his debut album "Optimist," which he wrote, recorded, and produced entirely alone in his bedroom. The album showcased his introspective songwriting and laid-back pop-rock sound. However, for his sophomore effort, FINNEAS took a different approach. "For Cryin' Out Loud," released in late 2024, was created in collaboration with a group of close friends in a studio in Frogtown, Los Angeles. "The most obvious reason this album sounds different is that I made Optimist all by myself," FINNEAS explains, his voice slightly hoarse from a cold. "Whereas this second album I made with a band of musicians who are close friends. Another big difference is that I wrote Optimist at 22 and this one at 26. There is a four-year gap, and people change a lot in four years. But clearly, the involvement of my musician friends in the making of the album makes all the difference."
The collaborative process was a new and exciting experience for FINNEAS. He and his friends—Aron Forbes on bass and guitar, David Marinelli on synthesizers, keyboards, and percussion, Lucy Healy on harmonies and keyboards, and Miles Morris on drums—recorded the album live in the studio. "We played live, and then I wrote lyrics and melodies over the top, sometimes with their help, but sometimes I let them focus on their parts. It was a lot of fun," he recalls. This approach gave the album a vibrant, organic energy that distinguishes it from the more polished "Optimist." Tracks like the title song "For Cryin' Out Loud" and "Family Feud" feature dynamic instrumentation and raw emotional delivery.
Lyrically, the album is deeply personal. FINNEAS describes it as "therapeutic," a way to process his emotions without keeping a diary. "I tried to be honest about what I was feeling. I don't keep a diary, but writing songs is the closest thing to it, and I find it very useful to dissect my emotions. So I'm grateful to have this outlet," he says. The album touches on themes of heartbreak, anxiety, self-doubt, and the complexities of family relationships. In particular, the song "Family Feud" deals with his protective feelings toward his sister, Billie.
FINNEAS and Billie have a famously close relationship. They have worked together on every aspect of her music, from writing to production. Their collaborative dynamic is seamless, but FINNEAS admits that their roles shift depending on the project. "Working on my own projects or stepping back to work with my sister are two aspects of creation that I love equally: working on one facet makes me better at the other. Working with Billie makes me better at making my own album, and working on my own makes me better when I make music with her. That's the short answer," he laughs. He also notes that their collaboration on "What Was I Made For" came together incredibly quickly. "Sometimes it's worth working on a single song for months and months, and sometimes the things you like best just come in the blink of an eye."
Despite his own growing success, FINNEAS remains fiercely protective of his sister. In "Family Feud," he sings about the pressures she faces at just 22 years old. "We had just come out of an intense period promoting the Barbie film. We spent a lot of time on stage singing that song, which I love. And I realized she is only 22… I was the same age when her first album came out. I remember that time of my life very well, but a big difference is that at 22, I wasn't famous at all, whereas she is incredibly well-known. That means she is more judged and criticized. I feel protective of her, but I think she should feel completely free to live her life and have experiences. I am a little nervous about how others might treat her. That is essentially what this song is about."
Beyond his work with Billie, FINNEAS has written for and produced tracks for other major artists, including Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, John Legend, and Tate McRae. He also composed the score for the HBO series "The Fallout" and the upcoming Apple TV+ series "Disclaimer" directed by Alfonso Cuarón. His versatility as a musician and producer has earned him respect across the industry, but he remains grounded and focused on his craft.
When asked about his creative process, FINNEAS emphasizes the importance of not repeating himself. "I try not to repeat myself. I'm not interested in making music I've already made," he says. "But everyone works differently: some days I only have bad ideas and I'm completely blocked, then many other days I'm lucky and I have a good instinct or a good idea. It's just my job to bring the idea I have in my head to life, and that's when making music is the most fun."
For his upcoming show at La Madeleine in Brussels on May 5, 2025, FINNEAS promises an intimate and energetic performance, drawing from both his solo albums and perhaps a few surprises. "I love performing live," he says. "It's a different energy from the studio. Playing with my band, seeing the audience react—it's the best part." The concert is part of a European tour that will also take him to Paris, London, Berlin, and Amsterdam. For Belgian fans, this is a rare chance to see the man behind so many hit songs step into the spotlight on his own.
FINNEAS's journey from behind-the-scenes producer to solo artist is a testament to his talent and determination. With "For Cryin' Out Loud," he has proven that he is more than just Billie Eilish's brother—he is a formidable artist in his own right. As he continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the world is finally ready to listen to FINNEAS on his own terms.
Source: Moustique News