Dean Owens Talks New Album, Songwriting And More

Award-winning Scottish musician Dean Owens has released his twelfth album ‘Spirit Ridge’ on CD, Vinyl and Digital on the Continental Song City label. We spoke to him about the new album, songwriting and more: 

When did you begin songwriting?

At school, in my first band.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Probably my granny, Dora Owens, singing at a house party, or my mum and dad jiving around the living room to Rock Around The Clock.

Your twelfth album ‘Spirit Ridge’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

I wanted to make a true follow up to my previous album Sinner’s Shrine, but I wanted it to be different. On Sinner’s Shrine I was working with Calexico, who have a very distinctive sound and we used those certain Calexico colours. With Spirit Ridge there were a lot more colours in the palette to choose from because I was working with a group of musicians, but they weren’t already a band with their own sound. So we created a new sound together.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

At Crinale, a four hundred year old farmhouse/studio in the hills of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Not far from the city of Bologna. It was produced by Italian producer Don Antonio and myself.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

Not really. There were some funny moments where things got lost in translation with the sound engineer Ivano, who didn’t speak much English.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

My co producer Don Antonio is a big collector of vintage Italian instruments and they were used throughout the recording.

Who plays in the band on the album recording?

The Stone Buffalo Band ( as I called the core group of Italian musicians):

Don Antonio guitars, lap steel, mellotron, piano

Luca Giovacchini guitars, dobro

Piero Perelli drums and percussion

Danilo Gallo double bass, bass guitar

Did you have any special guests join you on the record?

Yes. John Convertino (second drummer, marimba and vibraphone) and Martin Wenk (trumpet) from the band Calexico. And Tom Hagerman (strings and string arrangements) who is also a Calexico regular. One of the best fiddle players around – Christ Stout from the Shetland Islands. Irish flautist Nuala Kennedy and Scottish singer songwriter Kirsten Adamson. Also Nicola Peruch (piano, organ, keyboards), Vanni Crociani (horns arrangements), Francesco Bucci (trombone), Michele Vignali (baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone)

One of the tracks is ‘Eden Is Here’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

It’s about being in the moment. Making the most of where you are and your surroundings.

Was it a difficult album to write?

No. I felt very inspired when writing these songs, knowing where I was going to be recording them.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a) Light This World

b) None of them. There are no angry songs on Spirit Ridge.

c) A Divine Tragedy

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

That I’ve left the audience in a better mood than when they arrived and that I’ve not fallen through it.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Not really. I’m not a big instrument, or techy geek. I like the guitars I have and mostly play my classical guitar with my band The Sinners. My main thing is my voice.

Who designed/created the album artwork?

My friend Dave Huebner, who lives in Wyoming and plays in a band called The Two Tracks.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My new hometown, after leaving Edinburgh where I grew up isn’t a town, but a very small village called Ayton. Small, quiet, peaceful, rural, comforting.

How do you look after your voice?

I try to keep it in shape by singing regularly, even when I’m not touring, or recording. I take manuka honey and drink a lot of water. Sometimes I do vocal warm ups and breathing exercises.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. I just love it. It’s beautifully simple.

Given your extensive back catalogue alongside new material, is it difficult picking a setlist? Do you have a specific song selection process?

It is difficult. I mainly focus on the more recent albums, but can play most of my songs, even I have to play them solo, as the band don’t know all my songs. There are certain songs I HAVE to have in the set.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

There are so many, but today I’m just going to name one and I recommend everybody listens to his music – Tom Petty.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

After my 3 week tour in Australia in March (starting at the amazing Port Fairy Folk Festival), I have a tour of the Netherlands in May. We’re working on some UK dates for later in the year.

Who is in your touring band?

The Sinners are: Craig Ross, Pip Cardwell and Adam McMillan. That’s the small version. There is a big band version, but that’s a bit of a moveable feast.

What makes Dean Owens happy?

Happy – My wife and daughter. Friends and family. Walks in the countryside and along the beach. Reading books. Listening to records. Making records. Playing in front of a good audience. Travelling to nice places.