Born and raised in New Bothwell, MB, music was always around Ollee Owens growing up. Artists such as Elvis, Odetta, The Band, Mavis Staples, Etta James Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan informed and shaped her as she developed her sound in her early years. And even when Owens took a 15-year respite to raise her own family, she never fully put a cap on her passion for music, volunteering as a music therapist for over a decade, occasionally performing, and always continuing to write songs. “Music is the language of the ebb and flow of the human existence” she says, “and my goal is to continue to create songs that become part of the soundtrack of people’s lives.”
Name:
Ollee Owens
Genre:
Blues Soul Rock
Founded:
2015
# of Albums:
1 and a new one on the way
Latest Album:
“Cannot Be Unheard”
Latest Single:
“Lord Protect My Child”
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
That’s a tough one… I listened to a lot of Bob Dylan/CCR/The Band/Elvis/ the Highway Men/Julie/Buddy Miller/Tom Petty/Beatles growing up and loved it all.
Favourite musician now:
Love me some Mavis Staples/Etta James/The Band/Eric Clapton/Leon Bridges/Robert Plant-Alison Krauss/Miko Marks/Bonnie Raitt/Charley Crocket and William Prince
Guilty pleasure song:
Just Dropped in (to See What Condition my Condition is in) by Sharon Jones – that sax solo is on fire!
Live show ritual:
I love to get out in nature if I can before a show. Just a few minutes of fresh air helps me ground myself and get ready to give it my all in a show.
Favourite local musician:
JJ Shiplett
EP or LP?
I’m an LP girl … I love the journey of a full-length project.
Early bird or night owl?
Night Owl
Road or studio?
Road – I love connecting with live audiences and travelling.
Any shows or albums coming up?
I’m gearing up for another album release this fall and a few other single releases before then. Just released my version of Bob Dylan’s “Lord Protect My Child” this month – can’t wait to share the rest!
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify
***
Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
The Orchard – they have an amazing Brunch menu
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Northmount Drive NW between Northland Drive and Brisebois Drive … trees on both sides of the street reach in toward each other… so beautiful in the fall especially.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Nosehill – Beautiful Prairie landscape and a view of the city from the top.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Blues Can
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Recordland in Inglewood
