Our next LCM featured artist Dean Owens is one of Scotland’s most engaging and haunting singer-songwriters. Armed with a searingly soulful voice, skillfully crafted stories and memorably heart-twisting melodies, he is a compelling and engaging live performer, with an emotional hurricane of stories and songs. His band, The Whisky Hearts, is a mighty all star line-up who can rock up a storm. We first met Dean for the first time last year at The Sound Lounge in Tooting, where he played a great solo set. Our LCM #SongOfTheDay is the atmospheric 'Southern Wind' the title track from Dean's latest seventh album released on the 16th February via At the Helm Records. The video stars actor Jamie Sives (aka The Lochend Lion (aka Jory Cassel, Game of Thrones)). It was filmed and directed by Ruth Barrie and Dylan Matthew of Waltzer films.

Southern Wind was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, with the same team responsible for his acclaimed Into the Sea – producer Neilson Hubbard, award winning guitarist (and long time collaborator) Will Kimbrough and some great US musicians.

Dean’s music has been described as Celtic Americana with a rocky pop edge, and draws as much from his Scottish roots, especially his home town of Leith (referenced and loved by the Proclaimers) as from his US heroes. The emotional honesty in his songs shines through as he sings about people and places, love and regrets, drawing favourable comparisons with the likes of Springsteen. A gritty yet lyrical Scottish sensibility, delivered with a searingly soulful voice.

Dean’s solo career has seen him tour far and wide, including in Europe, USA and Australia. Dean is also highly regarded among other musicians and has played shows and toured
with Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Joan As Policewoman, Eddi Reader, John Hiatt and Nanci Griffith, to name but a few.

In his early career Dean was the front-man of the much loved and lauded Americana band
The Felsons. Since launching his solo career he has produced 5 albums, including the highly regarded Whisky Hearts (also recorded in Nashville), New York Hummingbird (recorded in the Big Apple with some exceptional New York-based musicians) and Cash Back (Songs I Learned From Johnny) album, inspired by one of his lifelong idols, Johnny Cash.