ColoRising interview with producer Michelle Owen

Words-Art Jefferson
Photography-Sarah Ginn, Tereza Vranovska

Looking at the musical history of DJ and producer Michelle Owen, what you will find is someone who began playing guitar as a youth and was already doing sound engineering before even graduating high school. Growing up listening to grunge and Hip-Hop, in the late nineties Owen was captured by the sound of electronica after going to see Danny Tenaglia play live. She soon learned how to DJ and eventually became one of the key players of the scene in her hometown of Sydney, Australia, playing some of the city’s top venues and hosting a show on Rhythm FM, now Kiss FM. In 2007 She spent a summer in the party capital of the world, Ibiza honing her skills as a producer. After spending time in London, she eventually relocated to Berlin where she currently resides.

Michelle Owen has released some of the most amazing house music in the last three years including her stellar 2011 track “Perchance To Dream”. The single which included remixes by the legendary Chez Damier, was praised with high reviews from magazines such as Mixmag and hit the top of the charts on Beatport. Owen’s music has been supported by the likes of Luke Solomon, Deetron and Ashley Beedle just to name a few, not to mention she has played clubs and parties from Europe to Dubai.

Her latest remix of Rafa Santos’ “Breaking You” is the epitome of sexy deep house with her latest single “What You Say?” dropping on Exploited Records. She is also preparing for the release of the new “Retake Two” compilation on Mood Music.

Michelle Owen’s music is a product of passion, drive and an understanding of the soul of the sound. This is the kind of spirit that is crucial in the constant push to move the genre forward and with her releases, she can truly say that she has added to that contribution.

AJ-I must tell you that, for me personally, your production is exactly the kind of house that stands the test of time. There is the jazz, the soul and various elements that all contribute to what great records should sound like. Talk about those elements that you draw from. I imagine that it stems back to you being a musician as a teen.

MO-Thank you, that’s really encouraging to hear. It stems from many moments of my life and discovering great music along the way. Yes, the start of it all was being a teen. I have no fancy classical training but I can play the guitar. I taught myself initially, then I had two private teachers. I was determined to be the best lead female guitarist on the planet…then I discovered turntables. These days I hardly pick up the guitar and my skills are hiding somewhere.

AJ-It’s interesting to read that you were also doing sound engineering as a teen. What type of projects were you working on at that time?

MO-My guitar teacher encouraged me to work in the industry and suggested I volunteer at Damien Gerard Sound Studio. I stayed there for 3 years before finishing High School. I worked initially on making coffee and cleaning up, then I learnt bit by bit about the microphones, how to set up a drum kit, how to clean a tape machine, how to patch in effects. I worked on a project with The Church and many local bands of that time. I also did a lot of live shows, I really enjoyed that. Later down the track I stated to assist the label side of the studio in A&R and promo.

AJ-You were playing the big clubs in Sydney, doing radio shows and really making a name for yourself. You then headed over to the Ibiza for a stint. What knowledge as a DJ and producer did you absorb while on living on the island?

MO-When I left for Ibiza I actually went there to have a break from it all! I didn’t go there with intentions to DJ, I went with intentions to finally learn how to produce music and that’s what I did. Living on the Isle is both pleasant and tough. You don’t choose Ibiza, Ibiza chooses you!

AJ-Your track “Perchance to Dream” was a big single that gained support from everyone from Graeme Park to Luke Solomon. Mixmag gave it an extremely high review and it flew up the charts on Beatport and Traxsource. Did you already have the feeling that this was going to be as big as it was when you first completed the production?

MO-No, I didn’t actually. I held onto that track for about 1 year after finishing because I still wasn’t sure about it. I’m glad I finally let others hear it because apparently it’s ok 🙂

AJ-Talk about your ‘Almost Real’ project.

MO-AlmostReal.me is a project I have been working on for many years now. Initially it was just a blog where I posted articles that I liked but I always wanted to turn it into something more and educating. From 2012 it became – Almost Real. It’s a place for creative people and board lifestyle. There are regular events – ‘It’s Almost Night’, mixtapes, ‘Song Of The Week’ and interviews. It’s a little piece of me outside of the industry that keeps me sane. It’s a new passion I really hope turns into something more one day!

AJ-You’ve pretty much been involved in every aspect of the music business. You also work with Native Instruments. What’s your take on the rapid changing of technology in terms of production and DJing? Some argue that technology has almost made it too easy to DJ. How do you feel about the digital age of DJing and producing?

MO-I don’t work for NI anymore. I left last July 2012 to start up my own Music Product Management company. I totally agree, it has made it a lot easier but software like Traktor has thrown in a lot of challenges, effects and loops. It’s almost like you are remixing the track on stage as you fly! I grew up on vinyl, so I learnt on turntables. These days a lot of people learn on CDJs, it’s much easier to quickly pick up. Mind you, I do play on CDJs now because of the amount of times I’ve had issue with the turntable trumps and I just got fed up.

AJ-You’re currently based in Germany. What’s some of the most inspiring things about living in Berlin?

MO– It’s affordable and has an abnormal amount of clubs that play underground music. I’m lucky I have a regular event at Watergate night, “Meet: Almost Real & Power Plant”. This inspires me!

AJ-Earlier this year you did a great deep house remix for Rafa Santos’ “Breaking You” song. What have you got lined up in terms of remixes and original production for 2013?

MO-Thank you. I have an original out on Exploited March 25th and my first mix compilation called “Re:take 2” on Moodmusic Records in June. I’m really looking forward to this as it will showcase a lot of up and coming talents I have hand picked, plus a new single from me. I really want to collaborate as much as possible this year. It’s educating and fun…so if any other producers read this, get in touch!