Gene Owens

“With major label-worthy hooks and a slow burning intensity… Gene Owens will surely become a notable name in the world of rock songwriters” – Clay Steakley Performing Songwriter Magazine
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Gene grew up with a natural talent and passion for music. At the age of sixteen he began touring the country. In 1998 Gene relocated to Los Angeles where he started laying down the foundations of his debut album Beautifully Strange. Written and recorded during a personally tumultuous period, Beautifully Strange is an emotional catharsis, a melodic, melancholic gem. Performing Songwriter describes it as “..a record that holds the subdued anger of rockers like Staind and the vocal style of hard rockers like Alice in Chains’ Layne Staley, but still knows how to hold to a restrained groove and simple metaphor.” Beautifully Strange has sold nearly a 1,000 copies and is still going strong.
On the heels of 2002’s introspective Beautifully Strange, Owens released his sophomore effort Fugitive Moments. From the infectious, hook-laden “All I Need” complete with chiming 12-string guitars and Beatles-esque harmonies to the funky, rock/rap of “Pretty Lies” to the neo-soul ballad “Into Me”, Owens has crafted another eclectic masterpiece. The new record also finds Gene looking outward. With overtly political songs such as “War Machine”, “Pretty Lies” and “Election Day”, Fugitive Moments serves as a musical response to the Bush-era of war and repression. It was produced and recorded by Andrew Bush who’s past credits include the legendary Bob Dylan and rising LA artists such as Alexi Murdoch and Quincy. Fugitive Moments also features a guest spot by Rusted Root’s Liz Berlin who lends her powerful voice to Gene’s song “Never Change”.
Gene’s music is currently available through the internet’s biggest music stores: Amazon, Apple i-tunes, Tower.com, Real-Rhapsody and Cdbaby. Select tracks can be heard on Indie 103.1 FM and KLOS 95.5 FM in Los Angeles, 88.1 FM, 93.9 FM 93.7 FM in Pennsylvania and CJSR FM 88 in Alberta, Canada. Gene was a finalist in the Unisong International Song Contest two years in a row and a finalist in PETA's "Sexiest Vegetarian Alive" contest.