Come and celebrate the arrival of spring with the new C-Heads podcast!

This time we present quite a new artist on the scene which we believe has a big future ahead. Let`s meet Owen Ferguson aka Owsey from Northern Ireland!

Hello Owsey, thank you for your time. How have you been?

Hey there. Thanks very much for having me. I’ve been really great: I had my first gig last week, in London. Preparing a live set has dominated most of my time recently, but on a more creative note I’ve just finished a remix for Kimbra, and I’m currently working on a remix for Kyla La Grange. My album is also in the works.

I believe I can say you are a Soundcloud star :) But some of our readers may not know you, so can you introduce yourself a little bit, please?

Of course. I’m Owen, known to most as Owsey. “Owsey” is a childhood nickname which happened to carry through all the way to this very day. I chose it as my alias for the nostalgic sentiment that it holds. I’ve been writing electronic music for around 4 years now. I begin writing music by basing it on a particular theme, story or piece of visual art. I collaborate with various photographers & try to develop their artwork further by putting the additional element of sound to it. I hope people will recognise and associate the visual element as a part of my process, as it is just as important as the music itself.

Anyway, congrats to your big success you receive with the remix for Gotye. It`s brillant work. How did you get to this?

Thanks a million. This remix was merely a random twist on my path of remixing. I’ve always enjoyed Gotye’s material, and I felt that this particular track was crying out to have the vocals used in a different context, where the mood & atmosphere became a tad morose opposed to the original. Gotye & Kimbra both have equally stellar voices, and so it has been a pleasure working on projects for both artists respectively.

You give away most of your tracks for free on Soundcloud. Does it mean you haven`t found the right label for your music? Or it`s just because you want to do it this way?

It’s a bit of both. I need a label where I can feel comfortable working in, and quite importantly one that will allow for optimum exposure of my music. I’m quietly working away on my album which will be up for release, but as for where I’m not quite sure just yet. The tracks currently on my Soundcloud will remain free of charge.

I have noticed that you use in your tracks some dialogues from movies (such as Closer). Are you movie fan? What was the last film which absolutely got you?

I don’t watch as many films as I would like to, but they often have great impact on my music, via dialogues. I’d have a difficult time choosing one particular film, but for now I’m going to opt for one called “Into The Wild.” I love the sense of freedom it radiates, and its whole “rise up, live well, and take a risk” attitude. It helped me appreciate life’s simplicities a little better whilst also placing focus on the importance of life in the grand scheme of it all.

I can hear maybe some Burial influence in your work. Do you like him? Do you have any “idols”?

Sure, I definitely enjoy Burial’s sound, as it would appear to be one of a kind, and one that illustrates perfectly the themes which it is based on, i.e. solemn night life & late nights in a cityscape. I wouldn’t say that he is a particular influence to my sound, but he is certainly one of my favourites. I can’t say that I have idols, but among my musical favourites are musicians like Mew, Brother Sun, Sister Moon & The Decemberists.

What is inspiring for you?

Earth and its inhabitants, more specifically the island of Ireland and the people & friends I’ve kept along the way. I can’t imagine a more fulfilling life than one spent out on Irelands west coast, with equally amazing music & company.

You came from Northern Ireland, how`s the musical scene like there? Because for me, a Prague based music lover, living in the UK is like a dream :) Is there a difference between Northern Ireland and Midlands or South?

To be honest, from what I’ve gathered, and what I’ve gathered is pretty generalised, the scene here would appear to be formulaic, dull and quite frankly shit. Maybe it’s because our main city, Belfast, is so small. Clubs here tend to cater to one specific kind of music: chart music. Sure, we have our experimental nights hiding in the doldrums of the city, but I’m sure they’re few and far between & not properly established enough to be able to qualify as a scene. Club music can be fun, but it can also get extremely tiring. I like other parts of Ireland where they focus more on traditional music & live acts rather than here in the city where we have the same DJ, one after another, playing the same stuff time and time again. Music should be rich and varied, exploring its full potential.

Now, one serious question :) I`m interested what do you think about the very discussed-thing – ACTA? Yes or No? Do you think it can be “useful” for artists?

Admittedly I haven’t sufficiently researched this subject. As an artist who gives out his music free of charge, it wouldn’t be particularly useful for me personally. For the majority, I’m doubting that the change, if any, would be notable or worth it. I am more concerned about the privacy infringement that the agreement appears to entail. If legislation passes to grant permission for random computer searches I think that will bring concern in abundance to the population.

Can you tell us the story behind the mix for C-Heads?

I’ve based this mix around pieces of music that I find life-enriching. That’s to say they have some sort of immediate and noticeable impact as soon as I put them on, and that they alter my mood for the better. Some of my all time favourite pieces of music sit within this mix, and it means a lot to me.

Any upcoming gigs where we can hear you live?

At present, aside from local gigs here in Belfast, my next gig would appear to be May 11th in Sheffield’s Bungalows & Bears, but it is very likely that more will crop up between the space from now until then! I update gig info on my Facebook whenever something arises.

Any last words for our readers?

If you stumble over and take some time to explore my music, I thank you from the depths of my heart. I hope that you find it an enjoyable experience, and associate the music with the artwork involved on each track. My album is in the works, and I promise that only my finest, most important works will hold a place on it.

Thank you again!

Much love for having me. It is well & truly appreciated. Peace outwards,
Owen x

Tracklist for Owsey`s C-Heads podcast

Sufjan Stevens – Size Too Small
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – Your Own Spell
:papercutz – Lylac (Helios Remix)
Grouper – Heavy Water (I’d Rather Be Sleeping)
The Police – Tea In The Sahara
Vashti Bunyan – Winter Is Blue
Jernalism – Bloom of Youth
Royksopp – What Else Is There?
Mew – Special
Sade – Somebody Already Broke My Heart
Sandy Denny – Who Knows Where The Time Goes?
Kings of Leon – Revelry
Stumbleine – Bloom
Harold Budd & Brian Eno – A Stream With Bright Fish
Helios – Inherit The Wind
The Decemberists – Clementine
Owsey – I’ll Remain Under Our Antique Sky

www.facebook.com/Owsey
www.soundcloud.com/owsey

Interview by Simona Hypsová