Exclusive Ginny Owens Interview

July 2004

Singer/songwriter Ginny Owens spoke to word-on-the-web via a transatlantic phone call on 7th July, 2004. The line was so clear, it sounded like she was next door. Ginny was clear as well, in speaking about her thoughts and feelings and what inspires her music. It was a pleasure to chat with her.

Your first album, Without Condition, was drawn from songs you had written over a five-year period. You also write songs in the back of your tour van, on planes, and take time off deliberately to write. Do you consider yourself more of a songwriter, or a musician and performer? Which do you enjoy the most?

I consider myself a jack of all trades and a master of none. I love to perform and I love to write, but if I had to do either one of those all the time I am quite sure I would get bored quickly. What really keeps me going in the music world is having my fingers in all kinds of pies - having lots going on. Because of that, I think it’s taken me a longer time to get accustomed to songwriting and performing as a living. It’s been a challenge to grow in those areas. I love the recording process, but I probably love it just as much as the writing process and also the performing on stage.

The new album is called Beautiful. What is your definition of beauty?

On the most basic level it’s how our heavenly Father sees us. It’s almost something that we can’t even categorise or describe because we all have different ways of defining beauty, whether outer beauty or someone’s inner character or heart. My most exciting definition would be: it’s the way that God looks at us, because we’re created in his image and because of the fact that he has covered us with his grace. That has transformed us and makes us beautiful.

You have recorded three albums and an EP. Where would you like to go next musically? And are there any artists that you would like to work with in the future?

I would love to do more of the same, in the sense that I would love to continue working with Monroe Jones as producer. And I would love to keep labouring over my music to get it to how I want it to be. We finally released Beautiful, and I’m already excited about making the next record. This will have more of the soulful edge of the music that was presented in Beautiful, and it will be slowly getting closer to the centre of who I am. Also, the next record will probably get a little edgier and probably more personal. As I get older I want to be more honest. I just want to continue to share what‘s on my heart, and share it in a more honest way, without the sugar-coating that we’re often asked to put on music for radio.

I would love to work with Stevie Wonder. I am very influenced by that vein of music. And newer people like India Aire. All sorts of R and B, soulful, singer-songwriters. But I’m also very influenced by folk music, and female singers like Sarah McLaughlin and Dido. Maybe my music is a hybrid of those two styles.

Obviously, you are from the States. How do you find your fans in the United Kingdom?

Listening to people’s accents is the greatest thing. The last time we went to the UK I came back speaking in an English accent. I love the sense of humour of folks in the UK, and the use of the English language is absolutely brilliant. Everyone in the UK could teach Americans how to speak. It’s very poetic the way you guys use the English language. I can’t wait to come back to the UK.

How does the Bible help you, both in your personal life and in your music ministry?

The Bible is often inspiring for my songs, but not only that, it is always inspiration for my life every single day. The Bible is the way I come closer to my best friend who is Jesus. Imagine having a best friend, but you don’t know anything that’s going on in their lives, and you don’t know about their heart and their thoughts and feelings. The Bible serves the purpose of being a very wonderful picture to draw from of God’s heart, not only for us but for creation and the world. It’s the way we get to know him better. It’s the way we keep in communication with him.

Ginny Owens, thank you very much!

You can find a review of "Beautiful", and reviews of Ginny Owens’ previous releases, at: our music review section.