Stephen MacDonald

How do you begin to describe The Okay Win? Vocalist and songwriter Stephen MacDonald just laughs. "I mostly tell people folk inspired rock that tends to get aggressive," he shrugs. Likened to everyone from Bob Dylan to Pavement, from Kevin Devine to even Radiohead, The Okay Win is nearly impossible to describe. Their first album "We Are Bound" is a mellow kick in the ribs; each song is a build, a climax, and a resolution within itself.
MacDonald crafts deeply haunting lyrics paired with hypnotizing melodies, managing to be both personal and universal. JM Craven masters his guitar with slinky, emotive lines, subtle yet dissonant. Introspective bassist Ryan Ward twists a chill, toe tapping rhythm with a wandering heartbeat. With his complex, cacophonous drums, Matt Jones builds the band's animated foundation, seducing the audience to pay attention as he crashes through the rhythm.
Are they Wilco or The Who? Arlo Guthrie or Fugazi? They are all and they are none. The Okay Win are simple: they're complex. From folk rock to freak out, The Okay Win juxtapose themselves with yearning and rejection, love and distaste.
Press for We Are Bound:
"A seamless transition from solo to full band, combined with the poetic lyrics that gave MacDonald his own identity, make for an excellent record.8.6 out of 10"--Sound Off
"It's a brilliant record - the songs are well put together and strangely affecting."--Artrocker.com
"You know that guy Bob Dylan or maybe you know Neil Young? Well, Stephen MacDonald & The Okay Win may not sound exactly like these guys, but that's because they are the new face of folk indie rock.one of the best albums i've heard all year."--indieshows.net
"Overall, a marvelous and well rounded effort that continues the musical evolution of Stephen MacDonald, and explores other musical possibilities that allow his music to evolve and strike a chord with his listening audience.4.5 out of 5"--The Music Box



Past Press:
"Stephen MacDonald's debut album, Building Hands, reeks of optimistic honesty that's as refreshing as it is contagious. Simple lyrics and chords are married together in peaceful harmony that touches the soul and pleases the ear."--SouthCoast247.com
"This year, he self-released a completely mind-blowing CD. The lyrics, the music, the voice… all perfect.Stephen MacDonald is the complete singer-songwriter package, thus earning title of Best New Act of 2008."--
Local Best Of 2008
"Rock, pop, and hip-hop rule the mainstream, but the turn of the century has brought the birth of a new crop of singer-songwriters — Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst), Iron and Wine (Samuel Beam), and recently Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) and Devendra Banhart.
Plymouth singer-songwriter Stephen MacDonald is part of the reemergence."--
Old Colony Memorial
"A final testament to MacDonald's freshness lies in his ability to avoid the pessimistic trend of recent times. Though his lyrics might speak of a time of sadness or hard times, there is most always a positive message present. Perhaps we can all learn a thing or two from Stephen MacDonald's lofty optimistic folk sensibilities."--
Article from Hard Rain Magazine
"I missed a couple acts, and all apologies to those I missed, but the singer who closed out the three-hour show first reminded me of Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes. He was Stephen MacDonald.Brilliant work from a rising singer/songwriter."--
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