43. Owen Downie: Bass, Making Great Music, Inspiring Others, and Being Musical Director of Hamish and Andy's Band 'Cool Boys and The Front Man'
This week on the podcast we are speaking with another of Australia’s greatest bass players, Owen Downie.
Owen has a long list of artists he has performed and recorded with and he has been a member of many great bands over the years, but the focus of his musical pursuits being about making great music rather than any pursuit of fame or acclaim was a great point made throughout this conversation. Owen made me laugh a lot, shared some great stories about his musical beginnings and collaborations, and touched on the encouragement of his pursuits (but not always his taste) in music. We even touch on the legendary story of Owen being musical director of Cool Boys and the Front Man, the touring band of legends Hamish and Andy!
A very humble bass player and session musician, a massive inspiration of mine and, second only to my partner Luci, my favourite bass player in Australia.
Owen has performed with some of Australia’s leading artists such as Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, The Wiggles, Vance Joy, Shannon Noll, Ricki-Lee, Pez, Bill Chambers, Simon Philips, The Meltdown, Zoophyte, and The Veronicas. He has also played alongside international jazz luminaries like George Garzone and John Blackwell Jr., and K-Pop superstar Kim Tae-woo from G.O.D. In addition to his extensive live performance and recording credentials, Owen is passionate about music education and creating positive spaces for music-making. He has 15 years of experience as a guitar and bass teacher, has established and grown various music programs in Victorian schools, and recently created a music program for NDIS clients in regional Victoria. Owen is the leader of the bi-monthly Yarra Banks Open Jam Session, a night dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and skill levels to develop their improvisation skills and ensemble playing. It is a long-standing event, maintaining a supportive and inclusive culture appreciated by professionals, hobbyists, and students alike.
These days, Owen spends most of his time in Melbourne performing, writing, teaching, and trying to learn as many new instruments as possible. You’ll often see him playing around town at all manner of venues from jazz clubs to folk festivals, on many different instruments, and having the time of his life.
Join us as we discuss Owen’s passion for music, explore his current bands like Doc Halibut, The Higgs, and Andy McGarvie, and delve into his various musical experiences over the years - including being the musical director for the tours of podcasting legends Hamish and Andy’s band, Cool Boys and the Front Man.
For more info and links to the guest's work, visit our website: aredrummersmusicians.com
Australia