Finneas Opens Up About the Artist He Hopes to Work With and the Band That Influenced His Musical Journey
By Website Content Manager
“I remember thinking, ‘I can’t believe someone gets paid to do that. That’s exactly what I want to do,’” the “Same Old Story” singer recalled.
During a conversation with composer Anthony Willis at the 2026 Tribeca Festival’s Storytellers event on June 9, Finneas O’Connell reflected on the experiences that sparked his passion for music and shaped the start of his career alongside his sister, Billie Eilish.
The 28-year-old musician said he realized at a young age that he wanted to make a living through music. He recalled attending a concert by Green Day when he was around 10 or 11 years old and being amazed that performing music could be a profession. That experience convinced him that he wanted to pursue the same path.
O’Connell’s professional journey began in earnest when he wrote and produced Eilish’s breakout track, Ocean Eyes, which they uploaded to SoundCloud. The song’s success launched a creative partnership that would see him co-write and produce all of his sister’s studio albums. Over the years, he has also collaborated with numerous other artists while building his own solo career.
As a solo performer, O’Connell has released projects such as Optimist and For Cryin’ Out Loud!, further establishing himself as an artist in his own right.
Looking back on the early stages of his career, O’Connell recalled that he and Eilish were still living with their parents when they began making music together. He was 18 and she was just 13 when they started recording songs and sharing them online.
At the time, O’Connell had already decided not to attend college, a choice that drew skepticism from some people around him, though his parents remained supportive. When “Ocean Eyes” began gaining attention, he felt both excited and pressured, recognizing the opportunity before him and fearing he might squander it.
He admitted that the early years were filled with anxiety because he was determined to keep the momentum going. While he now wishes he could reassure his younger self that everything would work out, he also believes that the intense drive and fear of failure motivated him to put in countless hours of work that ultimately contributed to his success.
O’Connell also remembered the long nights he spent creating music at home. While his father headed out early each morning for construction work, he was often still awake after spending the entire night writing, producing, and refining songs. Their paths would cross in the kitchen as his father prepared for work and O’Connell grabbed a late-night snack before finally calling it a day.