Ear Candy

by Phil Denson

When was the last time you were able to listen to an album all the way through? From beginning to end, every song? You know the list, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon," The Beatles' "Abbey Road" and the Cars' (self titled) to name a few. There's more, but not many. Well the list just got longer.

I first heard Owsley while music surfing on my PC. Three thirty-second sound clips and I was hooked. This stuff had big-time written all over it. After ten minutes of constant replay I could take it no longer and did what any responsible music lover would doÉ I jumped in the car, drove to the record store and charged this new found gem to my credit card.

I know what you're thinking, who's Owsley? Fair enough, class is now in session.

Will Owsley has recorded, toured, sang and played with the likes of Amy Grant, Ben Folds, Shania Twain and Zak Starkey. Taking the money he made from his Amy Grant tour, Owsley built himself an in-home studio. With everything in place, he started recording, two years later Owsley's self-titled debut was released, the rest as we say, is history still in the making.

Released in 1999, several critics working for major music publications, including Amplifier and E Online, voted Owsley's first release as one of the top ten albums of the year.

Nautica is using his single "I'm Alright" for a national television ad campaign. The single has already made a dent in the Modem Rock Charts and can also be seen played "live" on HBO's Reverb.

Pretty nice resume, but your still not sure? How about this, can you say GRAMMY? That's right, Owsley's album is up for a Grammy.

Now do I have your attention? Good.

I had the chance to interview Owsley before he starts a short winter tour. We talked about his first band, the Semantics, his time spent with Amy Grant and Shania Twain, his music and fatherhood.

Will Owsley is a true artist with a talent long lost by many musicians. He has the ability to write, perform, sing and record music that speaks to the soul. I highly recommend this album. Read the interview, then do the responsible thingÉ go to your local record store and Master the possibilities.

OFF! - Let's start this OFF near the beginning. You, Ben Folds, of Ben Folds Five and Millard Powers formed a band, the Semantics. Time took its toll and you went your separate ways. What happened?

Owsley - Actually, Ben Folds was never a member of the Semantics. It was Millard's and myself s band. We started the group in 1990. Signed as Sony music Pub Deals. Which gave us unlimited access to their elaborate Studio in which we stayed up to all hours of the night creating music and learning to produce records.

Ben was also a Sony writer and was the person who introduced me to Millard Powers. Ben shared the studio time with us. So he heard what we were working on and vice versa. We would play on his demos and he would play on ours. He played drums

only on a few of our demos. Played drums on the first production of "Coming up Roses." Ben is an amazing drummer. Most people don't know that.

Anyway, we made a record for John Kalodner at Geffen. John said we had to be a band not a duo (which was really what we were), said we had to have a full time drummer. He sent our demo tape to Zak Starky (Ringo Starr's son) in England and he flipped for it and flew to town to jam with us. We hit it off and asked him to play with us and we made the Geffen record with him.

Kalodner didn't trust Millard and myself with the record budget so we were appointed a Producer (babysitter), Peter Asher, to basically keep us in line. Millard and I really didn't and still don't care for the way that record sounds. Geffen didn't know what to do with it. Too pop for alternative and too alternative for pop. Dropped us. Broke my damn heart. Five years of work down the drain.

Millard and I decided to go our on separate ways but still remain the best of friends. He coproduced a few tunes with me on my solo debut as well as played bass and engineered. My album was just nominated for a Grammy award for Best Engineered Album of 1999. Millard and myself both engineered on the album. So we're both up for trophies!!

OFF! - Congratulations! Did any of the Semantics songs make it to your self-titled album?

Owsley - Yes, "Coming up Roses" and "Sky is Falling".

OFF! - OK, how about any of the Semantics songs to any of the Ben Folds Five albums?

Owsley - No.

OFF! - Are you and Ben Folds still on talking terms?

Owsley - Yes, we talk on the computer all the time. Good friends.

OFF! - After the breakup of the Semantics you did some interesting things, moved on so to speak. You Played guitar for Amy Grant's touring band. That's pretty impressive, how did that come about?

Owsley - Amy heard a copy of the Semantics and heard about our fate there and said, "How would you guys like to come on the road with me and make great money and ride first class? HMMMMMMMM O.K.!!!!!!

OFF! - You also played and sang duets with Shania Twain. Besides the pleasing view, I'm sure this was a great leaming experience?

Owsley - Sure. She and Mutt Lange are very smart and focused people. I've always been a huge Mutt Lange fan. And the opportunity to work with him was one I couldn't pass on.

OFF! - Playing, singing and touring with, Amy Grant and Shania Twain gave you some financial stability? You took the cash you made from the gigs, bought a house and built an in home recording studio?

Owsley - Yes.

OFF! - With everything in place, you started recording. How long did it take to finish the album?

Owsley - Well a couple of years because I didnt work on it everyday. I'd cut drums - a couple of weeks later do some guitars. Come back, erase them and start all over. You know, looked for the magic. If my throat were tired I'd sing it tomorrow, cut at my leisure. I had no record deal -there was no dead line. I remember Folds saying, "If you don't give yourself a deadline, you' 11 never finish." So, I did.

OFF! - It's obvious that you knew what you were doing, the songs on this record are absolutely fantastic. With everything in place you decided on Giant Records to distribute the finished product. Why Giant?

Owsley - Thank you! Ahh, Jeff Aldrich at Giant was the first A and R man to ask me what "I" wanted. He had respect. In which I gave him due respect. Giant lets me really be involved. Plus, I know how hard it is to break a new artist. Most labels give up pushing an artist after a few weeks. Giant has kept me on the road and on the charts all year. They've got a long-term vision with me - a career, not just a song. It's a building process. Takes time. They are willing to put that time in. Plus, I'm engineering and producing, writing, playing, and singing. I love the full-blown process of making and touring records. They accommodate that.

OFF! - Most people would be happy with the fact that they could write, record and produce their own album. Then have it picked up by a major recording

studio and printed for the masses. It gets better though, your album is up for a GRAMMY!?

Owsley - Man I'm honored! Stoked!!! When they called to tell me I said, "You got the wrong number." I just couldn't believe it!

OFF! - That has to be a great feeling. Your single, "I'm Alright," was also picked up by Nautica? They are using it in a national ad campaign?

Owsley - Yes, all over the United States and Canada. I always liked their clothes and seized an opportunity to get the music to the masses.

OFF! - Everything seems to be in place for an Owsley explosion! All we need now is a tour anything in the works?

Owsley - Yea, I got about 22 shows in 23 days coming up around the comer. Go to www.owsleymusic.com and click on tour dates for more info.

OFF! - When I listen to your music several bands come to mind, the Beatles, Jellyfish and Super Deluxe to name a few. It's always easy for a listener to compare, but whom do you regard as your biggest influences?

Owsley - Not to be vague, but everything. From Dr. Dre to Boston's first album. Beach boys to Nirvana. Robert Johnson to the Cars. Everything really.

OFF! - Your songs are being played on alternative stations throughout the country, but as I listen to the album I hear pop, rock and an assortment of styles that I think many listeners would find enjoyable. Do you find it hard trying to please certain radio stations with their rigid formats?

Owsley - I can't think about that. I've gotta write to please me. If I don't, it won't sound sincere. Plus things change so much. If you try to be trendy, you're already dated.

OFF! - On your album cover you dedicate your record to your son, Walker. What 's tougher, recording an entire album in your own home or fatherhood?

Owsley - Good question. They both are hard in their own ways. I'm a perfectionist. I want to do the best I can at whatever I'm focused on at that time. I could always do better at both. It goes hand in hand though. I want to give him everything. But the way to do that is to make good music, i.e., college education, etc.

OFF! - One last token question, Partridge Family or The Brady Bunch?

Owsley - I would have to say I dug the Partridges more.

To learn more about Owsley, visit his website at www.owsleymusic.com.