MUSIC
Day after day and hour after hour, we receive and absorb an infinite number of frequencies from our smartphones, computers, televisions, and stereos. Cutting through the noise, Sp8ce Owl exists on a different wavelength. The Petaluma, CA artist and producer born Joseph Meyers eases the deluge of daily life through his immersive instrumental transmissions, striking a balance between sonic eloquence and cinematic rapture. Now, he electrifies this signature style on a series of independent singles released by his own label, Afterlife Records.
“There are so many frequencies around us everywhere,” he observes. “It’s good to balance those out with sounds that are more calming. Calming doesn’t necessarily mean soft or slow though. To me, it’s about emotionally expressing myself. Music is the most pure and honest way to do that.”
Born in Auburn, NY, he bounced around the country as a kid, living in New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Southern California before settling in Sonoma County. He always exhibited a deep appreciation for music, listening to everyone from Rush and The Cure to Duke Ellington and Tash Sultana. However, life took a series of detours, pulling him away from his eventual destiny. Joseph fell under the spell of drugs, surviving two comas, sepsis, and even two weeks on life support.
“I always felt disconnected from the world,” he admits. “I got into drugs to try to fill a hole without knowing music could fill the same hole. I just didn’t have the confidence to try music before though. Sometimes, I make songs to process those experiences. Ultimately, I do it to heal myself. When somebody feels lost or unconnected, I hope to encourage connection through Sp8ce Owl.”
In 2017, he dove into writing, recording, and creating for the first time. Utilizing Launchpad and Ableton, he constructed loops and threaded together midi keyboards and drum sequences, resembling “a stream of consciousness.” A link of demos caught the attention of Croshal Entertainment Group, and he joined the company’s roster. The name Sp8ce Owl reflected his transformation.
“We get a lot of bird activity behind my house,” he explains. “At night, there were always owls. They seemed to be present when I was working on songs late. To me, the owl represented strength and maximum potential. When I can’t be strong, Sp8ce Owl can be strong.”
He introduces Sp8ce Owl with the single “The Future Awaits” where glitchy synths brush up against claps as the upbeat waves conjure “a hopeful feeling.”
With this beginning, Sp8ce Owl shares a frequency we all could benefit from.
“In those moments where you feel a collective anxiousness, I want Sp8ce Owl to be there,” he leaves off. “I try to give everyone something positive to respond to.”
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