Dean Owens continues his rich vein of form with his latest single ‘My Beloved Hills’. The single is from the forthcoming album ‘Spirit Ridge’, which is due February 2025. This is set to be the official follow-up to the acclaimed ‘Sinner’s Shrine’, recorded with desert-noir greats Calexico. Indeed, it was John Convertino who introduced Owens to the renowned Italian producer, musician and film-maker Don Antonio, anticipating that they would complement one another creatively. Indeed, they have. Antonio says of their work together: “I am Italian, Dean is Scottish, these are stories and sounds written and played in a way which deeply reflects who we are, the places we’ve been, the seeds we planted and the fruits we harvested.” The resulting sound is certainly rich, textured and moody. ‘My Beloved Hills’ has a big, spacious feel to it, a soaring sound to match the grandeur and timelessness of the Crinale region of northern Italy where Owens’ new material was recorded in Antonio’s studio in a 400-year-old converted farmhouse.
Owens explains the inspiration behind the song: “‘My Beloved Hills’ was Inspired by something a friend of Don Antonio (my production partner in this project) said to me when I was talking to her about the possibility of Don Antonio joining us for dinner in Bologna on my first visit there. ‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘if he’s able to leave his beloved hills for one day.’ When I finally got to see his beautiful hills around Crinale I understood why he might not want to leave them.”
The video captures the magic of the hills around Crinale with drone footage, supplied by Jonny Magowan, interspersed with the hills around Edinburgh and studio film shot by Nicki Young. The sunrise is glorious and adds to the epic feel of the song.
Owens’ upcoming album will be preceded by 3 EPs, ‘The Ridge Trilogy’, which will give fans a taste of what’s to come. The release of the first of these, ‘Vol 1 – Ghost Walking’, will coincide with Owens’ debut at Cambridge Folk Festival on 26th July 2024. Check it out.
