Hi there.

Autumn, my favourite season is here. Though what happened to the summer??

I’m just back from ....Sweden.... where I was playing a few shows. I had a fab trip and worked with some great people. I was travelling with Swedish singer/songwriter Annika Fehling. Annika runs a travelling show called The Living Room and we played a couple of gigs in the ..Stockholm.. area and also on the lovely ..island.. of ..Gotland.. in the ancient city of ....Visby.....

It was great to finally make it to ....Sweden.... and I hope a return trip will be on the cards in the not too distant future.

........

Here’s a quick reminder about what’s coming up on the gig front including news of my first hometown show in Leith for a couple of years –

I’m doing a fundraising show in ....Wales.... on the 24^th October at the Trelawnyd Memorial Hall, Flintshire (near Rhyl). It’s a double header with Folk artist Bella Hardy. For more information go to www.myspace.com/therecordjournal or for tickets go to  http://www.gonorthwales.co.uk/shopping/thedms-shop.aspx?dms=72&shop=13&prod=2775

My hometown show in Leith is going to be a Felsons acoustic duo gig on October 29^th at The Sapphire Music Club @ The Guilty Lily in Leith, ....Edinburgh..... Calais Brown and I will be performing songs from both The Felsons albums and my solo records. We’ll also be playing songs from the new Felsons mini album Good To Be Back. It’ll be great to play in ..Leith.. again. The Guilty Lily is just round the corner from where I grew up. The Sapphire Club is hosted by singer/songwriter Lorna Brooks. For more information go to  www.thesapphire.co.uk  I hope to see all you fellow Leithers out there at the gig! : )

........ Thanks to everyone who came out to my shows in Bury and ....Durham.... last month. They were fab.

Remember if you would like to purchase a copy of the new mini album by The Felsons – Good To Be Back, just drop me a line and I’ll give you the details. They are £5 each plus p&p. If you want to check out a couple of tracks go to www.myspace.com/thefelsons

Also there are still Limited Edition LP copies of Whisky Hearts available through my website www.deanowens.com These come in red vinyl with a gatefold sleeve, plus you also get a copy of the cd.

I’m thinking about shows for 2010 now, both solo and with The Felsons, so if you’ve any ideas of places I may not have heard of in your town or a place near you that I should be looking at playing then please let me know. Thanks.

I’ve got plenty of songs for the next album now so hopefully I’ll get into the studio soon to record them.

That’s it for now.

Here’s to some lovely Autumn days : )

....

Cheers, Dean

DEAN OWENS - FESTIVAL NEWS

............................................................................

Hi there.

I just wanted to remind you of my summer festival news

I will be appearing with The Felsons at the end of July with a show in ....Perth.... at the Southern Fried Festival on Friday 31^st July at the Perth Theatre. There is a great line up of artists at this year’s festival including Lucinda Williams, Los Lobos, Booker T, Mary Gauthier and many others. Go to www.horsecross.co.uk or call 01738 621031 for tickets. This may be the only show by The Felsons this year.

........

The following afternoon [Saturday 1^st August] my fellow Felson - Calais Brown and I will be hosting a songwriting/guitar workshop at 12pm at Norie Miller Studio 1, Perth Concert Hall. If you are interested in songwriting and would like to be a part of this workshop visit www.horsecross.co.uk for more information.

Available for the first time at our Southern Fried show will be a new Felsons mini-album - Good To Be Back. This will have six new acoustic tracks performed by the three of us and recorded by ....Calais.... at his Sound Station studio. If you would be interested in getting hold of a copy of this cd please drop me a line.

There is no Felsons website at the moment (will be a link on mine sorted out soon), but there is a new Myspace page at – www.myspace.com/thefelsons Two of the new tracks from the mini album will be up there shortly.

I have two Edinburgh International Festival shows booked at the Acoustic Music Centre at St Brides Theatre on the 17^th and 18^th of August. These are early shows starting at 6.30pm sharp. I will be doing the first show on the 17^th solo and playing songs from my three solo albums, plus trying out some new songs and then on the 18^th Calais Brown will be joining me for a “Songs Of The Felsons” show. For this show we will only be playing Felsons material. It should be a fun night.

For details visit www.acousticmusiccentre.co.uk or call - 0131 346 1405

Remember that in September I will be at The Met in Bury on Saturday the 12th -  www.themet.biz and The Gala Theatre in ....Durham.... on the 13th - www.galadurham.co.uk

Hi there.

I would just like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for your continued support and I hope to see you somewhere in 2009.

It's been a pretty good year for me and my music. I was delighted to sign to Navigator Records earlier in the year and have been very pleased with how Whisky Hearts has been received and for all the great reviews it's had. It even made the end of the year top ten at www.spiralearth.com 

I've been lucky enough to play some fantastic shows this year around the country. I especially enjoyed my shows at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh and opening for both Eddi Reader and Joan As Police Woman.

I've heard some great records too this year – Fleet Foxes, Gramercy Arms, Joan As Police Woman, Sun Kil Moon and possibly my favourite of all - the re-issue of an old album from the sixties by Rodriquez called Cold Fact. A great record.

I know it's been a very tough year for so many who have been hit by job losses and the credit crunch. Seems the rich can still get away with pretty much anything while the poor have to pay for their mistakes.

On a positive note it looks like the US may have got the right guy this time in Barack Obama. Though time will tell.

So on we go into to 2009.

I'm really looking forward to hearing my song Whisky Hearts in Irvine Welsh's new film Good Arrows and to my Celtic Connections show in Glasgow, both in January. Also in January Navigator will be releasing Raining In Glasgow as a single.

In February I'll be at the Darvel Lesser Town Hall in Darvel near Kilmarnock on the 6^th. This is a solo show as part of the Acoustic Nights & Electric Evenings series. Info available at - www.darvelmusicfestival.org

Then in March I will be starting my UK tour which should take me through to the end of April with possibly a few shows in France too.

Details of towns and venues will be up on my website and Myspace very soon.

As always, if you've any suggestions of venues near you that I may have not thought of then please drop me a line and I'll pass the information onto my agent.

Well that's it for another year.

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2009

Cheers

Dean

Hi there.

I've just found out that I will be opening shows for the fantastic Joan As Policewoman next month in Edinburgh and Newcastle. I'll be at The Sage in Newcastle on the 12th December and The Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh on the 13th.

Joan is a great artist. I'm a big fan so it will be fab opening the shows for her. Tickets available at all the usual places.

Be great to see you at the shows if you live in those areas.

All the best

Dean

December is now upon us. 

It's been a busy November for me. I played some great gigs with Eddi Reader in England, plus my own London show at the Slaughtered Lamb.

I was playing the night of the big US election so it was back to the hotel after the gig to keep an eye on the news. Hopefully they've got the right guy now in Obama, fingers crossed. Mind you he can't do any worse than George W!

It all reminded me a bit of Blair getting in to power back in 97. I hope Obama turns out better than he did.

I've been in the studio this week recording a track for the forthcoming Navigator compilation of the songs of Scottish songwriter Sandy Wright.  Lot's of great artists have covered Sandy's songs over the past few years including Kris Drever, Eddi Reader and Boo Hewerdine to name just a few.  I've recorded his song Can't Win, Can't Lose for the album. I recorded in a great wee studio in Glasgow run by Mark Freegard.  Playing on the track  I had John Douglas from the Trashcan Sinatras on Ukulele , ex Proclaimer Stuart Nisbet on guitar/dobro and my old mate from The Felsons and now a very much in demand session player Kev McGuire on double bass. Look out for the album in the new year.

Just one more show for me this year. It's a hometown gig for me here in Edinburgh at The Voodoo Rooms on the 3^rd  December. Looking forward to it as it'll be the first gig with Kim Edgar on piano.  Kim's a singer/songwriter and great musician. She'll also be opening the show. We are planning to tour together in 2009. Booking shows now for the Spring in the UK and France. 

I'm also doing a short instore performance and signing at Coda in Edinburgh on the 13^th December.

2008 has been a very positive year for me. I was delighted to sign with Navigator Records and get Whisky Hearts out properly through Proper. I've had some fantastic reviews for the album and some great support from well known faces – Irvine Welsh and Russell Brand etc.

In fact Irvine is using the title track from Whisky Hearts in his new film that will be on our screens in January. It's called Good Arrows. Look forward to seeing that.

Heard some cool, interesting records this year. Some new and some older discoveries. I've enjoyed the Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver records (like everybody else it seems) and the latest Nick Cave. Also Joan As Policewoman and the fantastic Gramercy Arms albums, but one of my favourite records I heard for the first time this year is a record from around 1969 by Sixto Rodriguez called Cold Fact. I love this record. Check it out.

I also have to say that the forthcoming Eddi Reader record sounds lovely.

Here's hoping December is a good month, stress free and full of just the right amount of festive cheer.

Here's to a fab 2009.

Cheers

Dean

GIGS, JOHN PEEL & ANOTHER ELECTION

Hi there.

I just wanted let you know that on December 3^rd I will be playing my final Edinburgh show of 2008 at The Voodoo Rooms. My very special guest will be singer/songwriter Kim Edgar. Kim will open the night with a set of her own material from her new album Butterflies and Broken Glass and she'll also be playing piano with me. Once again Stuart Nisbet will be on guitar. The gigs at the Voodoo Rooms in August were great so I hope you can make it along again in December. It'll be a festive free zone!! : ) Humbug.

Tickets £10 from – Tickets Scotland, Ticketweb and Ripping Records or go to -

www.thevoodoorooms.com
www.myspace.com/thevoodoorooms

for more details.

You can check out Kim's music by going to - www.myspace.com/kimedgar

Kim and I will also be doing some shows together in the new year.

I will be doing one final in-store appearance at the Coda Music Store on The Mound in Edinburgh at 3pm on December 13^th so if you're out doing you're Christmas shopping why not pop in for some extra stocking fillers! I believe there will be mulled wine and mince pies laid on by Coda. I'll be signing copies of Whisky Hearts and performing a few songs. It's free so if you're in the area pop in to say hello. For more information visit - www.codamusic.co.uk or call 0131 622 7246.

I've just had confirmation that I will be taking part in the excellent Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow in January. I'll be doing a show at the City Halls on January 24^th with Kathy Mattea. For details go to – www.celticconnections.com/whatson/event/79235

I hear the City Halls is a great venue. Really looking forward to it.

I can't believe it's four years since the sad death of John Peel. I was touring Australia at the time he passed away and this week was reminded by my friend out there, Chris Swann from Blue Wren Records, about my little improvised version of John Peel's favourite song - Teenage Kicks that I was asked to do by Stuart Coupe on his show on Sydney's FBI Radio station. Stuart who also runs Laughing Outlaw Records was a huge John Peel fan and asked me if I could play something by way of a tribute. This performance was captured by Chris on camera and is now up on Youtube. It was quite an emotional day for us all. Check it out - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xOZt-LAUnk4

In the next few days there will also be a live acoustic version of Raining In Glasgow up on Youtube.

A wee reminder that next Monday 3^rd November I have my London show at the Electroacoustic Club at The Slaughtered Lamb with the excellent Nels Andrews. Tickets I believe are still available at £10 from www.wegottickets.com/event/31934
www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=270568&interface=
or Phone: 0870 600 100

Info - www.electroacousticclub.com

Of course this is the night of another US election. Let's hope they get the right guy this time!!

You can now buy signed copies of both Whisky Hearts and my previous record My Town direct from my website. Get your orders in for Christmas : )

That's all for now. As ever please keep an eye on www.deanowens.com or www.myspace.com/deanowenspace  for other news.

For more album news you might want to join the Navigator Records mailing list at www.navigatorrecords.co.uk

Hope to see you somewhere in the next few weeks. Wrap up warm. It's getting cold out there.

Cheers

Dean

Hi there.

Autumn, my favourite season is here. Though it's getting harder to notice the changing seasons these days the leaves are starting to fill up the pathways and the blackberries are out along the canal. The real blackberries that is, not the mobile phones!

I have a few things coming up over the next couple of months –

You can hear me on BBC Radio Ulster this coming Friday on The Ralph McLean Show. I'll be chatting with Ralph about Whisky Hearts and playing a few songs. Get details and listen online at - www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/radioulster/mcleans_country

I'm doing an in-store live performance and album signing at the Coda Music Store on The Mound in Edinburgh this coming Saturday the 18^th of October at 3pm. It's free so if you're in the area pop in to say hello. For information visit - www.codamusic.co.uk or call 0131 622 7246.

Next Wednesday the 22nd I will be at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire. This will be a totally acoustic performance. Go to www.cornerstone-arts.org/8.id for information.

Then on into November I have my London show at the Electroacoustic Club at The Slaughtered Lamb with the excellent Nels Andrews on the 3^rd. Tickets are available at £10 from www.wegottickets.com/event/31934
www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=270568&interface=
or Phone: 0870 600 100

Info - www.electroacousticclub.com

I then have two shows with the wonderful Eddi Reader.

I'll be opening her shows in Birkenhead on the 4^th at the Pacific Road Arts Centre - www.pacificroad.co.uk

and in Norwich on the 6^th  at The Waterfront -

www.waterfrontnorwich.com

I'm really looking forward to these shows. Eddi's a class act.

I am now booking shows for February and March 2009 so I would hope to be at a venue somewhere near you around that time if not before. If you think there's a venue in your area that I should be playing then drop me a line and I'll pass it onto my manager.

Whisky Hearts has been picking up more great reviews including a 5 star review in the new Maverick and a cracker in The List magazine.

As ever please keep an eye on www.deanowens.com or www.myspace.com/deanowenspace  for other news.

For more album news you might want to join the Navigator Records mailing list at www.navigatorrecords.co.uk

You can now buy signed copies of both Whisky Hearts and my previous record My Town direct from my website (and Myspace eventually).

That's it for now.

Hope to see you somewhere over the next couple of months.

Take care.

Dean

DEAN OWENS

WHISKY HEARTS NEWS!

Hi there.

Whisky Hearts is out now on Navigator Records!!

It's available in all good record shops (and no doubt a few crap ones) and online at all the usual outlets.

The reviews are already starting to come in including a 5 star review in Maverick magazine and fantastic review in The List magazine.

Remember there is a limited edition LP version of the album available. This comes in red vinyl with gatefold sleeve, plus bonus cd and short film. I have to say Navigator and their designers/photographers have done a great job with this package.

I have one show left to do this month. I will be at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen this coming Sunday, September 21^st. It would be great to see you at this show if you live in the area. The wonderful Jon Redfern is also on the bill. Visit www.boxofficeaberdeen.com  for details.

I will be doing a free in-store performance at the Coda music store on The Mound in Edinburgh on October 18^th at 3 o'clock. This is a great little store and a good place to buy your copy of Whisky Hearts - www.codamusic.co.uk or Tel: 0131 622 7246 for details.

One of my album tracks – Sand In My Shoes is featured on the Navigator Records compilation cd that comes free with the current edition of Rock "n" Reel magazine. There are some great artists on there including among others Boo Hewerdine, Heidi Talbot, Drever/Woomble/McCusker, Lau and Bellowhead. Check it out.

As ever please keep an eye on www.deanowens.com or www.myspace.com/deanowenspace for other news.

For other album news join the Navigator Records mailing list at www.navigatorrecords.co.uk

Remember to take a look at my videos on Youtube -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ez_yCBnWMw

for a solo acoustic video of me performing Sand In My Shoes and a video for On The Edge from The Droma Tapes –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr4PAyI7FHw

I hope to see you somewhere over the autumn and winter months.

Cheers for now.

Dean

HERE IS THE LIST REVIEW:

Dean Owens - Whisky Hearts

Dean Owens
Whisky Hearts
(Navigator)

The craft of songwriting has become devalued in mainstream music these days, but there remain talented individuals out there waiting to be found. One such is Dean Owens, Leith-based singer songwriter with a fine line in heartfelt Americana mixed with more traditional folk influences. This, his third solo album is lovingly constructed and consummately executed, showcasing Owens' deceptively simple style and his unerring ability to tap into something universal which strikes straight at the listener's heart.

It is a skill he shares with fellow Leithers The Proclaimers, or more distantly, with the everyman musings of Bruce Springsteen, and Whisky Hearts brings both artists to mind, while at the same time being brimful of its own inimitable character.

As with Owens' previous work, there is a range of atmosphere and styles, but it's when he's in his most contemplative moods that his songs work their best magic. 'Raining in Glasgow' has the feel of a low-key anthem about it, the kind of thing the whole of Scotland could take to their hearts, while the more folk-flecked title track manages to channel a hundred years of homespun truths into a sumptuous three and a half minutes.

Even better than that, though, is 'Man From Leith', a song which could come to define Owens. A deeply personal and moving song about his father, it manages to be specific, yet universal, small in focus yet huge in scope, a truly wonderful piece of work which crowns a fine album and confirms Owens as an impressive talent.

Doug Johnstone