Chris O’Brien of Enchanted Ape

By Zach Smith
Contributing Writer

The general consensus goal in our lives is to do what we love. And Chris O’Brien from Enchanted Ape feels the same way, but it’s a little different for him. O’Brien has always loved music but was never really sure it was what he would still be doing. Being in a band wasn’t his main goal, but he needed an excuse to play music the long hours he did.

“It was hard to tell my family I was going to go play guitar for three hours,” said O’Brien.

But a band is eventually what he got and he wanted to make sure he was in it for all the right reasons. He started writing songs and put in a lot of time playing the music. It seemed he was always most focused on making the best music he could.

“I don’t want to make money just for the sake of making money,” said O’Brien.

After a few test runs with bands, Enchanted Ape was finally born, and so began O’Brien’s most successful venture into music.

Enchanted Ape is a grass-roots band, but one that stands out from the rest. They didn’t want to focus specifically on one type of sound, so what you get is a self-proclaimed “melting pot” of all sorts of different music.

They’re a four-man group based in the Cities. The current members have been playing together for three years and grew together as musicians to form their polished sound. Armed with acoustic, electric and slide guitars, mixed with funk rock and world beat rhythms, they’ve come to play.

Enchanted Ape is no rookie to the music scene either. They have played shows all over the Midwest and festivals including Summerfest in Milwaukee and the 10,000 Lakes Festival. Those are big highlights in the band’s career, but O’Brien says even the smallest of shows can be their biggest highlights.

They want to put out that memorable vibe and say it’s always nice to see people come back for round two.

And Enchanted Ape is content with where they are at today and could basically care less if they get huge or not.

“I don’t need that big of a career to be satisfied,” O’Brien said.

They just wanted to be heard, play as long as they can and get the music to the people.

And on Friday, February 19, they will have a chance to be heard in Fargo at the first annual Winter Jam Fest. The Jam Fest will be held at The Aquarium above Dempsey’s and will also feature O’Fosho, Soap and Roster McCabe. Tickets can be bought in advance at Orange Records, Dempsey’s and Mellow Mood in Fargo.

When I asked O’Brien what he thought the show would go like in Fargo, he could really only say one thing, “A great night of music, a party.”

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If You Go

What: Winter Jam Fest
Where: The Aquarium
When: Fri, Feb 19, 7:30 pm
How Much: $6 adv, $8 door, 21+ID