by kristen case
photo courtesy of owen coleman
The LA based singer-songwriter Owen Coleman blends the raw energy of classic rock hits with the melodic punch of modern pop-rock music. His voice, bright, powerful, and unmistakably his, cuts through guitar driven hooks and cinematic production to deliver songs that feel both timeless and immediate. Owen Coleman is now stepping into a new era with his newest single “Heaven's Jealous” leaning into the rawness that comes with falling in love unexpectedly. Owen discusses the creative process of “Heaven's Jealous,” balancing the evolution of your artistry, and shares what's next on the horizon.
Congratulations on “Heaven's Jealous!” What was the creative process like and what emotions were drawn to you while working on the song?
Owen: “Thank you so much! This song idea came to me after being stuck in a writing rut for months. I’ve been making music for years and have dealt with the occasional writer’s block, but this lasted way too long. I stumbled upon this book by Rick Ruben, and he talks about how artists are antennae for creative thought. In other words, the human is a receiver for the universe’s ideas if they simply surrender to the flow and let the idea come to them. Once I unsubscribed to the belief that I’m in control, and I simply wrote whatever was in my head without overcomplicating it, I broke free of this writing rut and got back to what makes me, me. In terms of emotions while writing it, I’d say euphoria. It felt amazing to break through that spell and make something that felt meaningful to me.”
What's the story behind “Heaven's Jealous?”
Owen: “This song is about falling in love when you least expect it. Most of my previous material has followed themes such as loneliness and nostalgia. ‘Heaven’s Jealous’ is actually one of the first ‘love’ songs I’ve released, which has been a nice change of pace in my opinion. It’s very silly, but in the past I’ve felt a bit cheesy when it comes to making love songs. I’m glad I no longer have that feeling. Love is the most powerful emotion and we all experience love in different ways. It makes sense to write about that feeling, and I plan to follow that theme further.”
When it comes to sound selection, and production of “Heaven's Jealous” it's very easy to tell that you were involved in every decision because of how carefully crafted the song is. What was the process for sound selection like, and did you ever have a specific vision for what you wanted the song to sound like?
Owen: “On my debut album, Nowhere To Be Found, I really drowned every song in a bunch of different layers. I was drawn to a ton of different bands when I wrote that album and got a little in over my head on a few tracks. This time around, I’m straying away from creating songs that have too much going on. So, in ‘Heaven’s Jealous’ I confined myself to three instruments (guitar, bass, drums) and obviously, my voice. This allowed me to lean into the rawness and energy of the song, which is something bands like Oasis and The Beatles really perfected. They could create songs with just a few instruments, but you felt the energy they were emitting. That was the goal here.”
How have you grown through the process of creating “Heaven's Jealous?”
Owen: “I feel like I’ve grown a lot! This was the first song I’ve released in about a year, and it feels like the start of a new era for me. I am very fond of my debut album, but this new stuff I’m working on feels like the most authentic I’ve been lyrically and sonically. Writing this song felt like a breakthrough for me, I hope that doesn’t sound conceited or anything. I just feel like after being in such a rut for a while, this process allowed me to feel like myself again.”
As your personal style and music career have grown over time, how do you balance the evolution of your artistry while staying true to yourself?
Owen: “That’s a fantastic question. I used to always be in desperation to find a ‘thing.’ Like, maybe my thing was being a mix of Harry Styles and Fall Out Boy. Or maybe I should be like The Beatles but if they were emo. It makes me laugh reminiscing on how I used to complicate things like that. The answer is simple, being authentic to yourself at all times is how you become the best artist you can be. It isn’t something you have to think about very hard. Your music is a reflection of your soul. So if you stay true to yourself, the art you create will be exactly what you’ve been trying to nail down all along.”
Drop a favorite line/set of lines you wrote in “Heaven's Jealous.” Why do you resonate with it?
Owen: “‘You’re lost in a motion cause love’s like an ocean. Deeper and deeper and if we drown, it’d still be worth it somehow’ is a line that stands out for me. When I first moved to LA, I had zero plans of being in a serious relationship. I didn’t think I had the bandwidth to support a person emotionally when my spirit was following my dream of music. But I got lucky, I found somebody who I fell deeply in love with, and it all happened so fast. Being in love for the first time feels like you’re drowning, but in the best way possible.”
What's the unusual place you have found inspiration for a song?
Owen: “Whenever I come home from a trip, I always write a song that feels fresh. I believe traveling and experiencing new places has an effect on us as artists, or any creative person at that. Even going for a walk and paying attention to the little things on my path fills me with inspiration. As I’ve gotten older I’ve recognized that the more places I go and the more things I do, the better art I create.”
If you could only bring three records to a desert island what would they be?
Owen: “I love this question. My answer for this would literally change depending on what day you ask me. I would have to say The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance, Time by ELO, and Led Zeppelin IV. These are three of my favorite records of all time. Each album has its own personality and flavor. I love MCR and I never get tired of their emotionally impactful material. Time is my favorite album of ELO’s because of the time travel themes and production. Lastly, I had to choose Zeppelin 4 because top to bottom it’s filled with incredible songs that I could listen to for all time. If I had the luxury of bringing a fourth album to this island, it would be The Wall by Pink Floyd because Roger Waters is a genius and David Gilmour is my favorite guitar player hands down.”
What are you most proud of upon the release?
Owen: “I’m proud that I wrote something that feels more authentic than ever. I’m also proud of the fact that I got over that silly fear of being cheesy by releasing a love song. Love is so powerful and if anything this song has taught me to share more of my experiences pertaining to that theme.”
Lastly, are there any upcoming projects or events that fans should know about?
Owen: “I haven’t performed live in so long. I’m working on finding the right members for my band before I start playing shows again, but you can expect an LA date later this year for sure. I’m also working on more music and I’ll have another single out soon. It’s called ‘Hello Old Friend’ and it’ll be out this summer.”
