We recently sat down with composer/producer Owsey to discuss his life, plans for the future and everything in between. This is an artist who has been involved in the music scene over 16 years, gaining his initial rise to prominence in the early days of SoundCloud, where he took off with his remixes for stars such as Gotye, Birdy, Bon Iver & more.
Owsey has had music featured on BBC radio/television, CNN, Channel 4, United Airlines, and worked with labels such as Universal, Warner, Interscope & more. Music journalist Mary Anne Hobbs was among the first to support his music extensively, helping to deliver it to a wider audience. It's not easy describing what this music sounds similar to, which is exactly why we've asked him about the importance of striving for originality in a convoluted scene.
So without further ado, let's get to it...
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Luke: Who is the most famous person that enjoys your music?
Owsey: I doubt many (if any) listen, but Ellie Goulding told a colleague at one point that she enjoyed it!
Luke: So why Music? What led you to pursue it as a career?
Owsey: Above all, I just love music, and always have, so I figured I'd give it a shot after I left school. I also liked the idea of being my own boss. I have enjoyed taking the risk of pursuing self-employment in this notorious field. The rewards outweigh the risks when you put in enough work.
Luke: How much is "enough work?"
Owsey: In terms of time spent working per day? I think it depends on what you're doing. I spend more time working "behind the scenes" in the industry, but if you're trying to build a name for yourself then you have a lot of competition to contend with, and that's going to involve longer days when you account for the marketing/promotion etc. that goes into establishing yourself and pushing forward.
Luke: Can you explain what you mean by "behind the scenes?"
Owsey: Sure. For me it's things like licensing, commissions, co-producing, emails, my Patreon, or even just chipping away at a new release all day in the studio. I enjoy the quiet life that music production affords me.
Luke: What does a typical day in your life look like right now?
Owsey: Multiple walks with the dog, gym, work on Zeverb/Music until vertigo kicks in, as many litres of milk as my stomach can handle, read, bed.
Luke: Hobbies/interests outside of music?
Owsey: Hiking & surfing are two of my favourite outdoor interests, but I've made no time for them at all recently. I also enjoy lifting, making time for the gym 5 or 6 days/week, and I read for a while every day - science, some fantasy & philosophy, mostly. Thankfully music is also very much an interest of mine, and for the most part I enjoy my work.
Luke: Are there times that you don't enjoy your work?
Owsey: Oh, definitely. It can feel like a rather monotonous kind of office job at times.
Luke: Why do you not play live shows? It's been a long time since you last performed.
Owsey: It's mainly the logistics of a live setup - how would it work with my music? It would require something like a string section at best, and an electronic band to supplement that. It's just not viable. I've also conceded that I don't have the personality/stage presence for something like that.
Luke: If you weren't making a living from being in the music industry, what would you be doing?
Owsey: Hard to know. I'd like some kind of outdoor work, most likely. Farming or forestry. Failing that, security at the local bingo hall, perhaps. I also like the idea of hanging out with gorillas all day, and would gladly sign up to a position that entailed that.
Luke: What do you feel is the best song that you've personally released?
Owsey: Hmm, currently it's "Sarah and the Sea."
Luke: Your artwork: who creates it? It's very fitting of the narrative your music invokes.
Owsey: I stitch together elements of old public domain paintings - usually pre-1900s - and bits of my own content to create them in Photoshop. It's actually very basic in principle, and I don't take credit for any of the paintings whatsoever. But I do think it's important to convey the music visually through the artwork. It's the first thing that people see when they discover your music, and sometimes it can determine whether or not they'll hit play. An interesting aesthetic has an appeal in its own right.
Luke: What was your first exposure to music?
Owsey: I distinctly remember falling for music when I'd hear family friends on the West coast play traditional Irish folk and more "leftfield" sounds of the time. Later, when I was a young teenager, I found bands like Mew, a Danish alt rock band, who remain one of my favourite acts.
Luke: And who are some of your favourite artists?
Owsey: Sun Kil Moon, Nine Shields (now known as Beach Woods), Mew, Sorrow, Valdenan, Kristian Pederson, A Perfect Circle, Chicane... the list could go on, and on.
Luke: If money was no object, what would you buy?
Owsey: A large Finnish Sauna and a brick house on the hills overlooking the ocean.
Luke: Do you have any regrets?
Owsey: Musically? Yeah. I wish I could erase some of my older tracks from the face of the Earth.
Luke: Which ones?
Owsey: Quite a few. My Above & Beyond remix, for starters.
Luke: That is how a lot of people discovered you.
Owsey: It’s shit.
Luke: What is the last dream you remember?
Owsey: Being chased by a T-Rex in my old school.
Luke: What are your plans for the next year?
Owsey: I'd like to expand upon my own alias and become more productive there, and I'm also working extensively on Zeverb, which I am very excited about. I'd like to continue sharing any musical knowledge I've gathered over the years and help to give people an opportunity to enter the world of music production.
Luke: So let's wrap this up with one final question. What is the importance in striving for originality in this era?
Owsey: Being original (and being good) increases your chances of being heard. It doesn't mean that you will be heard, however. Originality extends beyond the music itself into what kinds of stories you're trying to tell through your music. Having a narrative that stands out from others helps to push you forward, maybe even if the music itself isn't all that unique itself. I wouldn't say that I follow this guidance particularly well myself, but I feel like I may have some tips on how to create a more appealing and original sound if you want to link to the article I wrote for you guys?
Luke: Definitely, we'll do that. We wish you all the best in the year going forward.
Owsey: Cheers! I appreciate it!