Eoin O'Neill

Eoin O'Neill is an Irish singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist. He gained attention in the second season of The Uraps Factor, lasting only two weeks in the live shows before elimination in 14th place. Eoin was quickly snapped up by Blacklight Records, who set him to work recording his debut album. The self-titled album "Eoin" was released in May 2013, enjoying two weeks at #1. To date, Eoin has released two #1 albums and seven UK top 3 hits, including the #1 hits "Perfect Mistake" and "4AM". In his native Ireland, all of his releases thus far have peaked at #1.

Personal History
Eoin Deaglan O'Neill was born on the 7th of July, 1990 in Derry, Ireland; he is the eldest of three brothers. His parents were both folk singers; his mother taught him to sing while his father taught him to play guitar. On his own, he sought out training in piano. Eoin became interested in contemporary music independently after deciding his parents' musical style was not for him. Eoin began playing gigs locally from the age of 16, but did not try writing his own songs until he was 19. Eoin began recording demos in his basement which he uploaded to Soundcloud, as well as uploading videos of him playing cover songs on his guitar to Youtube.

The Uraps Factor
Eoin auditioned for the second season of The Uraps Factor and got through to the live shows after being placed in Kleo's category.


 * Judges Houses: Boys Like Girls - "Be Your Everything"
 * Week 1: Seal - "Crazy"
 * Week 2: Lawson "Taking Over Me" (BOTTOM TWO)

After only two weeks in the competition, Eoin left the competition after he appeared in the bottom two, and two out of the three judges voted to eliminate him (James Moss refused to vote due to a conflict of interest regarding both artists in that week's bottom two).

"Eoin" Era
Eoin signed a record contract with Blacklight Records shortly after he was eliminated from The Uraps Factor. Some of his previously-recorded demos were re-done professionally, and other songs were also written for the album. Eoin worked with Kleo and James Moss, who produced some tracks for the album, and he also worked with Matt Serletic who produced the rest of the album and also acted as executive producer. In April 2014 the self-titled debut album "Eoin" was announced, and it was released in standard and deluxe editions on May 10th in Ireland and May 13th in the UK. The album debuted at #1 upon release, spending two weeks on top of the UK albums chart and spent four consecutive weeks at #1 in Ireland since debut. In December of the same year, Eoin released a special holiday edition of the album featuring some newly-recorded tracks, Christmas songs and bonus alternate versions of album tracks. The record is on target to become the best-selling debut album in URAPS history. In 2014 the album was released in America, where it impacted the Billboard charts in the top 5.

Eoin's debut single "Hide The Body" was announced at the same time as the album; one of the songs newly-written for the record and one of Matt Serletic's productions, was chosen to be the lead single. It was released a week after the album in the UK and Ireland, charting at #3 in the UK and #1 in Ireland - the first of a currently unbroken streak there. This was followed up by the runaway #1 smash "Perfect Mistake", a cover of a song by Australian singer Anthony Callea. "Perfect Mistake" was released in July in the UK and Ireland, and later served as his American debut single when it was released there in February 2014. "4AM" was released in September as the 3rd single, creating headlines in the UK due to Eoin beating his cousin Nicola O'Neill on the charts, when he debuted ahead of her band the Ace Rejects. In Ireland, they debuted ahead of him but "4AM" climbed in its second week to preserve his chart streak.

In November, "Party Lines" was released as the fourth single. It narrowly missed #1 in the UK in a photo finish against Amber Kane, but benefitted from boosted sales in the holiday period, sustaining its life even as Eoin released the duet ballad "Love In Your Eyes" with Ashley! on Christmas week. Again, the single entered the UK charts at #2, behind Syd Wolfe". This was the fifth and final UK single from Eoin's debut, as he shifted focus to the American release of the album, plus the UK release of his sophomore album. It was later revealed in May 2014 that "Don't Say A Word" would be released as a US-exclusive single, his second single there and sixth overall from the album.

Eoin supported the era with a number of live performances; starting with a supporting slot on Savana's debut headlining tour. He has appeared as a guest performer during the final of The Uraps Factor season 2, and the 24th Uraps Awards, and as part of the line-up of V Festival and the inaugural UrapsFest. Eoin embarked on his debut headlining tour in October, in partnership with Coca-Cola, who sponsored the tour thanks to an endorsement deal he signed with them in June. Eoin garnered further publicity for the era with six nominations at the 24th Uraps Awards, and two wins - for Best Male Video ("Perfect Mistake") and for Best Newcomer in a tie with Alyssa Monroe.

"Louder Than Life" Era
Eoin wasted no time preparing his sophomore album after completing promotion for "Eoin", taking advantage of new connections he'd made while visiting America to begin work on the new album. The album was announced at the beginning of February, with a release date set for the end of March. Just like his debut, the album spent two weeks atop the UK albums chart upon release, as well as enjoying several weeks atop the Irish charts. With Eoin's debut still active in the US it is unknown when or even if the album will be released stateside.

The album was led by "Dark Of The Moon", a collaboration with Beastette that was recorded and released as part of the 2014 Tango Challenge. The single was announced at the same time as the album, and was also released on the same day. It continued Eoin's Irish #1 streak and became his third consecutive #2 impact behind Tango winners Justyce and Cassie Fox. Eoin followed this up with yet another duet single, this time releasing "Hunters & Wolves" with his idol Midnight. There was controversy when the single entered once again at #2, the first release by Midnight not to peak at the top of the chart breaking a streak of 10 consecutive #1's.

Eoin surprised all when he won Best Male at the 25th Uraps Awards.

Personal Life
Eoin has been linked to fellow Uraps Factor contestant Alyssa Monroe since they exited the show; there was speculation that the couple were dating, and made headlines when they seemingly split up. They're still a popular subject of the tabloids, who continue to feed into rumours that the falling-out between them was staged and that they are still seeing each other in a friends-with-benefits capacity. Eoin has never confirmed whether things were serious with Alyssa and has never publically commented on his dating life. They are currently believed to be friends based on public interactions, that also hint at their sexual relationship. Eoin is also friends with season winner Malaya Gold and JUSTYCE due to their Uraps Factor connection. More recently, rumours has circulated about a possible affair between Eoin and Ashley!, which have been denied by Ashley. Eoin and his camp have not commented on the rumours.

Eoin is second cousins with Nicola O'Neill of Ace Rejects fame; a fact brought to light when the cousins were pitted against each other in a chart battle. Eoin commented that he hadn't previously made it known when he auditioned for The Uraps Factor in case his familial connection with Nicola coloured viewers' perceptions of him as an artist. They have since been open about their family relationship, and have defended each other in the media.

Discography
Main Article: Eoin O'Neill Discography

Albums
2013: Eoin 2014: ''Louder Than Life

Singles
2013: "Hide The Body" 2013: "Perfect Mistake" 2013: "4AM" 2013: "Party Lines" 2013: "Love In Your Eyes" (with Ashley!) 2014: "Dark Of The Moon" (with Beastette) 2014: "Hunters & Wolves" (with Midnight)