In the early 1990s, New York City’s East Village was home to Sin-é, a small, unassuming café with an outsized cultural impact. Founded in 1989 by Irish immigrant Shane Doyle, Sin-é quickly became a sanctuary for poets, musicians, and artists who embraced authenticity and countercultural expression. With names like Sinéad O’Connor, Allen Ginsberg, and Marianne Faithfull passing through its doors, Sin-é fostered some of the most impassioned and genuine artistry of the era before it closed in 1996.
One summer night in July 1993, that intimate café became the stage for a performance that would go on to leave a profound impact not only on those in the room but on music history itself. Jeff Buckley, then relatively unknown, took to the cramped stage surrounded by tables hastily pushed aside, and delivered a performance that would echo for decades. With only his voice and guitar, Buckley created a raw, magnetic presence that captivated every person in the room, including future Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien.
That set—later immortalized in the Live at Sin-é EP—consisted of just four tracks, two covers and two originals: his own “Mojo Pin” and “Eternal Life,” alongside renditions of Édith Piaf’s “Je n’en connais pas la fin” and Van Morrison’s “The Way Young Lovers Do.” The performance was both electric and ethereal, a haunting blend of vulnerability and control that showcased Buckley’s vocal agility and emotive strength.
Ed O’Brien, who witnessed the set, later reflected on the moment with awe, describing it as “truly mesmeric.” He was struck not only by Buckley’s technical brilliance but by the spiritual quality of the performance—his angelic tone, commanding stage presence, and sincere expression. That night left an indelible mark on O’Brien and played a key role in inspiring the emotional landscape of Radiohead’s third studio album, OK Computer.
The connection between Buckley’s music and Radiohead’s evolving sound is subtle but powerful. Tracks like Buckley’s “Mojo Pin” resonate through Radiohead’s “Let Down,” while “Eternal Life” finds echoes in the sonic force of “Airbag.” There’s a shared pursuit of emotional truth and vulnerability between the two artists. Both allowed their vocals to convey deep feeling without theatricality and crafted guitar-driven soundscapes that drew listeners inward.
Buckley’s influence on Radiohead extended beyond musical techniques; it was about a mindset—an openness to emotion, a willingness to be bare on stage, and a devotion to creating something real. It’s tempting to imagine what might have been if Buckley had lived to interpret later Radiohead tracks like “All I Need” or “Glass Eyes,” as his emotional palette and atmospheric depth would have aligned seamlessly with their tone.
Throughout his tragically brief career, Buckley demonstrated a rare mastery of his craft. His performances were marked by emotional clarity and artistic sincerity, the product of a humble genius who revered his art. Though he passed away in 1997 at the age of 30, his legacy endures in the artists he moved, the audiences he stirred, and the music that continues to be shaped by the honesty and beauty he brought to every note.
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