01Profile
A Katie Owen Photo
Katie Owen
DJ — South Wales
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Katie Owen, from the valleys in South Wales.
Describe your style in three words?
Classic Modern Retro.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
When The Happy Mondays headlined Splendour Festival a few years ago, Bez pulled me and my mate out onto the stage to dance with them... One of the best moments of my life!
If you could do an opening DJ set for your dream line up with any two artists in history?
The Beatles without a doubt... I'm a die-hard Beatles fan, they have influenced me hugely in life. The Stone Roses... Imagine the crowd, beautiful chaos! it would be a dream.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Mod, Casuals, Early Skinhead/Rude Girl.
I've always been massively fascinated by the Casuals fashion, the clothing labels, the footwear, accessories and music choice. It all looked so cool.
Mod... The entire subculture is really interesting to me... "Look I don't wanna be the same as everybody else. That's why I'm a Mod you see, I mean you gotta be somebody ain't ya or you might as well jump in the sea and drown."
Early skinhead/rude girl. My Step Mum is Vicky McClure... how could I not be? Ha!
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Nye Bevan... The founder of the NHS, absolute hero.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Clwb Ifor Bach (Meaning Little Ivor's Club) which is a Cardiff nightclub, music venue, Welsh language club and Community centre. I have been to many gigs, Northern Soul nights and DJ'd there for Spirit of 58 before the Welsh Football team played. There's always an incredible atmosphere, sense of community and pride.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Rod Temperton. I’m a huge fan of disco and love his songs, there’s nothing better than dropping his tracks during a set.
Katie Owen is a DJ who recently signed to Coalition Agency alongside fellow DJ's and radio host's Greg James, Nick Grimshaw, Jo Whiley and Sara Cox.
Katie is the daughter of Welsh filmmaker Jonny Owen and has been cited by British music mogul Alan McGee as "One to watch".
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Pounding' by Doves. I used to force my Dad to play it over and over in car journeys, I was too young to remember the name so I would call it The Rabbits Disco. I had a favourite cuddly toy called 'Bunny' I took everywhere with me. I would have him dance along to the song in the back of my Dads car... Hence us calling it the Rabbits' Disco.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Lithium' by Nirvana. I went through a proper Grunge stage for a bit. Dyed my hair different colours, got my lip pierced (The hair colours and piercings only lasted a few weeks mind until my parents found out, haha!)
One record you would keep forever?
'You Really Got Me' by The Kinks. The best 2:14 minutes of power pop ever written. And that guitar solo... Dave literally attacks the bloody thing!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Living is easy with eyes closed,
Misunderstanding all you see."
From 'Strawberry Fields Forever' by The Beatles. A beautiful quote from Lennon, although I’ve read many rumours of it meaning other things. I’ve always interpreted this as not seeing the truth makes life easy because you don't have to think about it and deal with it, you can just pretend that everything is fine.
The song that would get you straight on the dancefloor?
'One Step Beyond' by Madness. As soon as Chas starts the song I’m up. It would be impossible for me to sit down. My monkey boots are on the dance floor.
A song you wished you had written?
'I Got The...' by Labri Siffre. Absolute masterpiece.
Best song to turn up loud?
'International Velvet' by Catatonia. My Dad was in a band when I was little and they used to take me backstage to gigs and I would dance. One of the bands was Catatonia. I guess I was born into music really. My mum would hold me upside stage and I’d go mad! Haha... trying to leap out of her arms.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Put A Donk On It' by Black Out Crew. I’ve ruined many friendships at house parties when I tackle people off YouTube and play this bad boy... I can also rap every single word.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Mr. Blue Sky' by Electric Light Orchestra. A feel-good song, perfect to end the night on a high.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Feeling Funny' by Rubber Jaw.
'Jealous' by Carolines.
'Crack Rock N Roll' by Rainbow Maniac.
'Taxidermy' by Al Moses.
'Take It Easy' by Vida.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Katie Owen, from the valleys in South Wales.
Describe your style in three words?
Classic Modern Retro.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
When The Happy Mondays headlined Splendour Festival a few years ago, Bez pulled me and my mate out onto the stage to dance with them... One of the best moments of my life!
If you could do an opening DJ set for your dream line up with any two artists in history?
The Beatles without a doubt... I'm a die-hard Beatles fan, they have influenced me hugely in life. The Stone Roses... Imagine the crowd, beautiful chaos! it would be a dream.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Mod, Casuals, Early Skinhead/Rude Girl.
I've always been massively fascinated by the Casuals fashion, the clothing labels, the footwear, accessories and music choice. It all looked so cool.
Mod... The entire subculture is really interesting to me... "Look I don't wanna be the same as everybody else. That's why I'm a Mod you see, I mean you gotta be somebody ain't ya or you might as well jump in the sea and drown."
Early skinhead/rude girl. My Step Mum is Vicky McClure... how could I not be? Ha!
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Nye Bevan... The founder of the NHS, absolute hero.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Clwb Ifor Bach (Meaning Little Ivor's Club) which is a Cardiff nightclub, music venue, Welsh language club and Community centre. I have been to many gigs, Northern Soul nights and DJ'd there for Spirit of 58 before the Welsh Football team played. There's always an incredible atmosphere, sense of community and pride.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Rod Temperton. I’m a huge fan of disco and love his songs, there’s nothing better than dropping his tracks during a set.
Katie Owen is a DJ who recently signed to Coalition Agency alongside fellow DJ's and radio host's Greg James, Nick Grimshaw, Jo Whiley and Sara Cox.
Katie is the daughter of Welsh filmmaker Jonny Owen and has been cited by British music mogul Alan McGee as "One to watch".
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Pounding' by Doves. I used to force my Dad to play it over and over in car journeys, I was too young to remember the name so I would call it The Rabbits Disco. I had a favourite cuddly toy called 'Bunny' I took everywhere with me. I would have him dance along to the song in the back of my Dads car... Hence us calling it the Rabbits' Disco.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Lithium' by Nirvana. I went through a proper Grunge stage for a bit. Dyed my hair different colours, got my lip pierced (The hair colours and piercings only lasted a few weeks mind until my parents found out, haha!)
One record you would keep forever?
'You Really Got Me' by The Kinks. The best 2:14 minutes of power pop ever written. And that guitar solo... Dave literally attacks the bloody thing!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Living is easy with eyes closed,
Misunderstanding all you see."
From 'Strawberry Fields Forever' by The Beatles. A beautiful quote from Lennon, although I’ve read many rumours of it meaning other things. I’ve always interpreted this as not seeing the truth makes life easy because you don't have to think about it and deal with it, you can just pretend that everything is fine.
The song that would get you straight on the dancefloor?
'One Step Beyond' by Madness. As soon as Chas starts the song I’m up. It would be impossible for me to sit down. My monkey boots are on the dance floor.
A song you wished you had written?
'I Got The...' by Labri Siffre. Absolute masterpiece.
Best song to turn up loud?
'International Velvet' by Catatonia. My Dad was in a band when I was little and they used to take me backstage to gigs and I would dance. One of the bands was Catatonia. I guess I was born into music really. My mum would hold me upside stage and I’d go mad! Haha... trying to leap out of her arms.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Put A Donk On It' by Black Out Crew. I’ve ruined many friendships at house parties when I tackle people off YouTube and play this bad boy... I can also rap every single word.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Mr. Blue Sky' by Electric Light Orchestra. A feel-good song, perfect to end the night on a high.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Feeling Funny' by Rubber Jaw.
'Jealous' by Carolines.
'Crack Rock N Roll' by Rainbow Maniac.
'Taxidermy' by Al Moses.
'Take It Easy' by Vida.