BIO:
Jamaican-born troubadour Owen Plant lives in Northern California where he writes and performs his music and from whence he tours and peers out at the world. He refers to his own style as Jamaican-Born, California Folk. It is reminiscent of introspective singer/songwriters from the ’70s and contemporary acoustic artists but also incorporates his Caribbean roots on many songs. Owen’s strong vocals evoke the emotional depth of Cat Stevens and the soulful passion of Bob Marley and you can hear James Taylor, Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen in his guitar work and writing. People who listen to artists like Amos Lee, Ray LaMontagne, Jack Johnson or Ziggy Marley love Owen’s stuff. Music fans who might consider these artists as ‘not their thing’ often surprise themselves by liking Owen anyway. His presence as a touring artist was thrown into high gear this summer when he joined the Vans Warped Tour for a month on the Acoustic Basement Stage. He will be on the West Coast portion of the tour again in 2013 in addition to his constant independent meanderings. For the most up-to-date Owen Plant music and news go to www.owenplant.net
Reviews of Owen’s most recent album, ‘Beach Busker’ (June 2012)
By Odette Blaisdell of the Santa Barbara Independent
Between the first and second track on Beach Busker, singer/songwriter Owen Plant switches gears, jumping from a lively Jamaican accent to a gentle folksy whisper. It’s disappointing at first, simply because Plant’s American accent isn’t as interesting as his native Jamaican, but by using both, gives us a taste of his versatility. Not only can Plant sing effortlessly in two divergent modes, but he also accompanies himself on four instruments. Still, the greatest accomplishment on Beach Busker is the sense of optimism and genuine happiness that slides off of Plant’s acoustic guitar strings. We’re not sure if it’s Cali or Jamaica that holds the bigger place in Plant’s heart (he’s a San Fran resident and former Santa Barbara dweller), but he sings sincerely about his appreciation for both. On “Raise It up High” Plant nicely articulates the feeling that runs throughout Beach Busker. “We all come from some place, maybe the same place,” he sings, sweetly reminding us that roots run deep, but compassion runs deeper.
Praise for the Sunshine Brothers (Owen’s band from 2007-2010)
“On the whole, Live By the Sun could easily fall into the Jack Johnson school of mellow-minded musicology’but dig deeper and you’ll find an amazing array of sounds and influences (Toots and The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, James Taylor). The album flows beautifully from opener ‘Rum Song’ to closer ‘Cerasse Tea,’ interweaving its world beat, reggae, surf pop, and folk styles into a coherent whole. Plant’s comforting lyrics and mellifluous vocals are key to the Brothers’ Jamaica-meets-Santa Barbara simpatico. When all’s said and done, Live is the perfect Santa Babylon summertime record.” – The Santa barbara Independent, review of “Live by the Sun.”
“On the Santa Barbara front, my enthusiastic thumbs up are wagging at the Sunshine Brothers. Formed in 2007 by Jamaican-born lead singer Owen Plant, the Brothers have been gaining some serious steam since dropping their debut full length, Live By the Sun, last spring. Now firmly rooted in town, the seven-piece have been keeping busy playing shows all around town, including a couple jam-packed dates at SOhO. Most importantly, the band’s infectious mix of Jack Johnson-y pop melodies, Rasta riffs, and Jimmy Buffett’s sun-soaked party-loving attitude add up to something that is decidedly Santa Barbaran’without sounding forced, clichéd, or ripped off. Combine that with the guys’ fun-loving, dance-worthy live shows, and it’s no wonder Sunshine Brothers have become synonymous with having a good time.” – The Santa Barbara Independent.
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