 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
One Small Renaissance Album Biography While many young artists can get caught up in the need to quickly establish a long-term creative identity, twenty-five year old guitarist/vocalist/composer Jake Owen has fully embraced the ideal that his personal quest involves phases and experimentations that will forever deny him the security of a specific genre or label. While being in this position would possibly present a problem for other artists, Jake flourishes in the freedom. He has drawn from modern songwriters, composers, improvisers, visual artists, and the world around him to create a confident and mature artistic voice. The result lies somewhere between the sensitive musings of Jeff Buckley and the instrumental explorations of John Scofield. One listen to his newest effort, One Small Renaissance, will immediately show his comfort in residing in this "genre purgatory." "I've been searching a long time for comfort," Owen remarks. "It's just recently that I've discovered the joy in not knowing exactly what's about to come around the next corner; artistically and in life." Jake used the transition into his mid-twenties to thoroughly explore and question his artistic mind and get a better idea of where his potential could really take him. With the release of One Small Renaissance, Jake has chronicled several moods from this period of self discovery. Tracks like "Survive" and "Song for the Rain" carefully examine the polarities of human emotion while a tune like "Gritty Teeth" gives Jake and the ensemble a chance to explore the nuances of groove and extended harmony. While the record sounds remarkably focused and deliberate, Owen recalls that the creative process leading up to it posed quite a challenge. "My life changed drastically within the period of a few short months. I hit this huge wall after I was done with college that made me take some serious inventory in my life. I needed to reassess what was important, what made me want to get up in the morning." Jake soon found himself immersed in the challenge of writing and developing a new batch of material. His deep interest in the improvised music scene around South Texas brought him into contact with several like-minded, creative players. Jake quickly realized selecting the lineup for the record was going to be just as important as the material. "I love to compose and I love to improvise, so I made a conscious effort to develop material that was thoughtfully written and had opportunities to grow. Being surrounded by the right band became pivotal in bringing life to the works I had created." Owen found that intangible chemistry that all bandleaders search for within the close friendships he developed by being in the local music scene. Drummer Kyle Thompson, saxophonist Cody Brown, bassist Hamilton Price, and keyboardist Andy Langham create a lush musical canvas that confidently enhances the tunes, yet never overpowers. In addition to his masterfully coloristic playing, saxophonist Brown also contributes his original work "Togetherness, Loss, and Longing" to the record. Owen quickly cites his relationship with these friends and players as his most vital source of inspiration. "When you're around guys who have the ability and desire to make everyone else sound better, something magical happens. There is no room for ego. Everything else falls away and all focus comes to the present. It's a very Zen-inspired state...yeah, these guys are pro players with a remarkable command of their respective instruments, but more importantly, they're just great to be around. They are so willing to give so much of themselves to the music." Jake sought the expertise of veteran producer Michael Ramos (John Mellencamp, The BoDeans, Patty Griffin) to bring another creative force to the sessions. Recording some of the session at Ramos' home studio allowed Jake and Michael more time to work on details while not being limited to the expense of commercial studio time. "Working with Michael was absolutely amazing. He is so well seasoned in the studio and is so versatile. His patience and commitment to the sound and vibe of the record was astonishing- it really shines through." While Owen can reflect on the experience as a whole and feel a great sense of accomplishment, he is not content to sit still for long. A tireless need to innovate and develop has proven to be the only constant in his artistic life. "This record is a huge personal milestone. I have a much more optimistic view of what I'm capable of doing as a writer, singer, player, and human being. That alone inspires me to keep looking forward. I feel much less pressure to outdo myself; it's almost as if I have more faith in the process and how it ties into who I am." Jake is currently touring in support of One Small Renaissance and is writing new material for another studio album. Check out the artist's website: http://www.jakeowen.com Track List: 1. Gritty Teeth 2. Survive 3. Half of Your Finger 4. Song for the Rain 5. All You Are 6. Infantile 7. Truth Hereafter 8. Togetherness, Loss, Longing Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
|