Artist Information

Owen Ashworth first thought his calling was film-making. Some time during film school he decided that song writing would be a more apt outlet of expression. Initially limited in expertise with, and the availability of instruments, the songs were made using basic battery operated keyboards and electronic devices. The first release was a self-titled 7" single released as part of the Train Bridge series in 1998. The first album Answering Machine Music was recorded over two-years from 1997 and was released in 1999. The songs were either recorded on answering machine tapes, portable stereos or borrowed four-track recorders.

2001 saw the release of second album Pocket Symphonies for Lonesome Subway Cars, made up of songs recorded in various bedrooms over the previous three years. A third album Twinkle Echo was released in 2003 and included a nod to the Smiths with the song "Toby take a Bow". Ashworth's songs are more narrative than traditional in structure; mostly based on real experiences, yet expressed through the adventures of fictional characters.

The fourth album saw Ashworth come out from the bedroom to embrace fuller sounds and expanded instrumentation. The album Etiquette, released in 2006 included a greater depth of sound from the use of pianos, drums, pedal steel guitars, bass, strings, flutes and organs. The album featured collaborations with Jherek Biscoff of the Dead Science, Jason Quever of Papercuts fame and guest vocals provided by Jenn Herbison.