Biography



Originally from Boston where she fronted the roots rock band Oddway, Petrina Foley and the band spent most of ‘02-‘07 writing, recording, and touring the country opening for such acts as Kyle Cook of Matchbox Twenty, Vince Welnick of The Grateful Dead, The Samples, and many others. When Oddway disbanded in the summer of ’07, Foley took time to regroup and start writing the songs that would make up her debut, 5 song EP “Proper Goodbye”. Enlisting the talents of producers Sean McLaughlin (Elliot Smith, Maroon 5) and Brad McCarthy, “Proper Goodbye” emerged as a powerful and honest rock record with a fresh sound that you just don’t hear everyday.

After the release of her EP and successful performances in the Boston area to support it, Foley decided to take her unique blend of soul infused rock out to the West Coast in September of 2009. Heading a new band in Los Angeles with some very exciting opportunities emerging, Petrina Foley is reading to take her music to the next level.


“Petrina Foley manages to impress with her debut EP "Proper Goodbye". With an usually dark, versatile, spot-on voice, Foley evokes vivid imagery, with her well thought-out lyrics and fiery rock & roll arrangements...”

Metronome Magazine / April 2009

Some say she sounds like Grace Slick, others say Tracy Chapman. When you draw those comparisons, you know you've done something right. California via Boston singer-songwriter Petrina Foley, formerly of the Boston band Oddway, has this voice that can hang right with the alt-rock landscape her band creates, and then she can seamlessly slide back into a folksy, soulful singer. Shifting between alt-rock and alt-country worlds is something Petrina Foley has mastered.

The Tranzmission contributor Ryan Wood






Since the release of “Proper Goodbye” in October of 2008, the response has been very rewarding. 

• Petrina Foley's song "All This Time" from Proper Goodbye was voted number one on OurStage.com in the Alternative Country/ Americana category for September 2008 as well as the top ten for October 2008.
• OurStage also chose me to be apart of their Boston Showcase Night at The Paradise Rock Club on November 29, 2008.
• Boston's Metronome Magazine chose Petrina to be on the cover for the month of May 2009. 
• Petrina Foley's Proper Goodbye was Metronome Magazine's top 5 albums for April 2009.
• Featured airplay and on-air live performance for Boston's 107.3FM WAAF Baystate Rock.
• Featured airplay for Boston Emissions on 100.7FM WZLX (formerly 104.1FM WBCN).

• Oddway was the first grand prize winner of $5000 for OurStage in April 2007 with their song "Letter" in the pop music category.
• Featured in The Boston Globe, Paste Magazine, CMJ Magazine  
• "Letter" was featured on a CMJ Music Sampler.
• Oddway's music has been used for FOX, ABC, and VH1