Following on from last year’s debut Aliens, Owensie returns in 2012 with a new band, a new sound, and a new record which will be performed for the first time on Friday November 2 in the intimate setting of Athlone’s Passionfruit Theatre.
Citizens may draw surprise from those familiar with the Dubliner’s classical guitar based solo work to date, as his new record kicks off with a heavier and more aggressive sound. The record expresses a simple desire: to make the listener dance, laugh, and cry. The album mixes elements of folk, alternative rock, bossa nova, classical, and dance, with the consistent presence of Owensie’s flamenco guitar and doom-laden falsetto throughout.
Lyrically, the new record picks up very much where the last one left off. This time around, the Alien is exchanged for the now troubled Citizen, as the meaning of this human category comes into greater questioning during the current ‘economic crisis’ through songs such as ‘Hang Your Head Low’ and ‘The Land’.
Owensie is joined on Citizens by Lewis Hedigan (drums ), Julia Mahon (saxophone, string arrangements ), Andy Mooney (percussion ), Dek Hynes (bass and keys ), and Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh (viola ).
Support on the night will be from Athlone native, Aoife Doolan.
The first single from Citizens was released on Wednesday September 26. Citizens is now available on LP and digital from Out On A Limb Records.
Doors open at 8.30pm on November 2. Admission is €10 or €15 with vinyl, lyrics booklet, and download code.
