Jamaican Spice: Owen Plant
Interviewed for Riffin' by Webjockey Ember.
Free Track Download:
"Phony Hat" by Owen Plant
Riffin': Are there specific experiences/people/locations that inspire your writing, and where do you work on new music?
Plant: My experiences as a child in Jamaica have been the inspiration for many songs. Then there are romantic relationships, which have yielded some material as well! I wrote and practiced in a large outdoors very late at night while at college and did the same while studying in Seville, Spain by the banks of the river.
Riffin': How long have you been recording and performing your music?
Plant: I performed with a children's group from the ages of 9-13 in Jamaica. I didn't start playing or singing again until 1995 and working collaboratively with the bassist and founder of Shake Senora, Fes Aswat. I recorded my first album with that band in 2000 and have been performing and recording loads since!
Riffin': What are some of the challenges you've faced in your career and what advice would you give aspiring musicians?
Plant: I've been in development deals and had Asian tours about to happen and had lawyers who got my stuff to the heads of labels and none of those things worked out. Something similar to them may one day work out, but they didn't then. The problem was not that they didn't happen; it was that I needed them so desperately to happen. "If only I could have the right deal or agent or...whatever... I would be happy." My advice is to do music because you love it. Work hard, set goals and be ambitious, but don't waste years thinking that a 'successful' music career will make you happy. Only you and the way you express yourself can do that!
Riffin': Growing up in Jamaica, whose music did you listen to, and who are your main musical influences?
Plant: We listened to a lot of Bob Marley in my house. I was also exposed to traditional Jamaican folk songs that I learned at school and heard Dance Hall everywhere. But my parents were into all types of music and my music teacher had us learn just as many American pop songs as Jamaican ones. My parent's favorite artists other than Bob Marley were James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Mozart and Kenny Rogers, and I love them, too.
Riffin': You've led Boston bands Shake Senora and Kumina, so what inspired you to pursue a solo career?
Plant: Way less egos to deal with! It just got tiring maintaining a band. I loved those bands and am so happy to be involved in a collaborative process again with Chris, but I needed a few years off all that. I needed to find my own sound and be my own artist.
Riffin': With an East Coast tour kicking off at the end of March, what is your favorite aspect of touring, and what is the hardest?
Plant: My favorite parts of touring are playing the music of course and the act of traveling. Driving is such a Zen activity for me. I love airports and long flights. I'm not being sarcastic! I get more done on a plane than I do for the same amount of time in my office. I'm just clear on the road. Things can get hectic but for the most part the next thing to take care of is very easy to identify.
Riffin': What is something that your fans would be surprised to learn about you?
Plant: I don't listen to music that often. I used to listen to music every waking hour when I was in my teens and early 20's but much prefer a good book-on-tape or an NPR interview now. I do listen, but I have to be really in the mood or need to learn a cover or it's something someone has burned for me and physically put into the player.
Click here to view Owen's Rifflist: Owen's List
Check out his website: owenplant.com/
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