Krista O’Connell is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and violist from Virginia Beach, VA, who now calls the Washington, DC area home. She has roots in folk, country, rock, and blues and enjoys improvising, writing original music, and creating unique covers. She started playing guitar when she was 12 years old and instantly fell in love. More than two decades later, music is still her blood, sweat, and tears, and she’s passionate about uplifting women in music and showing that women can rock. Her musical influences include Maggie Rogers, Susan Tedeschi, Gillian Welch, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Sublime, and more.
In 2010 she was a finalist in the TAO’s Sea Level Festival’s Emerging Artist Showcase in Norfolk, VA.
Streaming now: Fight or Flight
Krista’s new single “Little Bit of Luck” debuted on Friday the 13th of June– stream now! In 2020, Krista released her debut EP, “Fight or Flight,” on streaming platforms and for download on Bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon. The EP contains thoughtfully crafted songs with a full band, exploring themes of the natural world, anxiety, isolation, and hope.
DC music rocks
Krista loves being a part of the vibrant DC music scene. She is a member of the Songwriters’ Association of Washington (SAW) and has performed at Project Hera’s Lilith Fest. She’s played at many venues in the DC and Hampton Roads area, including the Songbyrd, Pearl Street Stage, the NorVa, Arlington Acoustic Cafe, The Vinyl Lounge at Gypsy Sally’s (RIP), and numerous coffee shops, breweries, farmers markets, and festivals. She’s been a featured songwriter for showcases at the Local Cream at Hank Dietle’s Tavern, the DC Music Summit, and other events. She currently hosts the “Lyrics for Lunch” open mic series at The Renegade on Saturdays from 12-2pm.
Listen ma, I’m on the radio!
Krista’s original tunes have been featured on radio stations in Virginia, Oregon, New Mexico, and more, as well as the Women of Substance podcast, Formative Tracks podcast, and many Spotify playlists (see Features for more).
Not just a singer-songwriter
Since 2021, Krista has played viola in the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra, which is based out of Rockville, MD, and has performed across the region, including at the Kennedy Center. Listen to our music on Spotify.
