Dean brings Nashville spirit to the Tolbooth
Dean Owens is returning from a stint in Nashville to warm up the Tolbooth next week.
Joined by his band the Whisky Hearts, the Americana singer is looking forward to spending some time at home after an exciting year.
“I’ve been out in the States quite a lot,” he told the Observer. “I’ve spent a bit of time in Nashville writing and recording. I have also done a film and recorded with some people out there as well. We filmed out in New Mexico and some really interesting places.”
Hailing from Edinburgh, Dean has featured on an array of radio shows and his fans include Bob Harris, Ricky Ross, Irvine Welsh and Russell Brand. Armed with a searingly soulful voice and a neat line in memorable heart-twisting melodies, Dean filters his love of Americana through a gritty yet lyrical Scottish sensibility.
He spends a lot of time out in the USA these days, and enjoys the spirit of Nashville.
“It’s called Music City and it really is a city of music,” he said.
“I have been going there for years, and have recorded two albums there, and now started work on a third. It’s a great city, and you really do feel part of the country world there.”
Dean describes 2017 as a year when he could ‘either release three albums or none’, but has released a Christmas song - Home for Christmas - to help get into the festive spirit.
“I’m trying to compete with Slade! I wrote it in February. Every year, you hear the same Christmas songs, and think I’d like to do something a bit different.
“I thought I’d have a go, and like many of the famous Christmas songs it was actually recorded months before December.”
•Dean Owens and the Whisky Hearts appear at the Tolbooth on Friday December 2.