WE'LL SHIP WHEN IT'S BACK IN STOCK

Album Notes

"...what a waste to draw lines... to delineate boundaries between such beautiful things as sounds."
j.m.o

So often it seems the label given to a style of music or specific band generates a number of harmful preconceptions. "Rock" is too shallow... "jazz" is too intellectual... "classical" too elitist. Somehow, fallacies such as these have worked their way into the collective psyche of society. Twenty-three year old Jake Owen is on an exodus to challenge such silly notions and blur the lines between musical semantics.

Jake's journey has taken him through a multitude of real-life experiences. He began learning the lessons Texas barrooms and clubs had to offer at the tender age of fifteen. Between 1996 and 2002, he was the creative force behind his power trio, Soul Factor. In January of 1998, Jake was selected as one of seven national finalists in the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition in Seattle, Washington. The contest gave the young Owen a unique opportunity to meet and jam with his rock guitar idols including Slash, Stanley Jordan, Gary Hoey, Eric Gales, and Chris Duarte. Word of Jake's success in Seattle brought many opportunities upon his return to Texas, including the chance to record Soul Factor with Texas legend David Grissom (Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, Joe Ely, Storyville) at the production helm.

In the fall of 1998, Jake took an uncertain step towards academia when he and longtime collaborator/Soul Factor bassist Justin Schneider enrolled in the music school at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2003, both young men emerged with bachelor's degrees: Jake's in composition, Justin's in music marketing. The musical scope of these two musicians was widened exponentially by their experiences in music school. Jake immersed himself in the new soundscapes modern composition had to offer while Justin learned the ins and outs of the business. Jake also benefited greatly from intense study of classical and jazz guitar. Jake's dream ensemble, "Silent Empire," was completed in December of 2002 when twenty-one year old Mike Gomez entered the picture. Much like Jake and Justin, Mike had extensive gig and academic experience. Mike is currently a drum set major at St. Mary's University and is scheduled to graduate in spring of 2004.

The three musicians knew something was definitely worth exploring from the first time they played in a room together. Pure music was being concocted; free of any inhibition, intimidation, or ego. All ideas and concepts were open to exploration. Jake's fondness for experimentation, Justin's superhuman melodic sense, and Mike's infallible groove and energy were treated with equal care and respect. One of the most important benefits stemming from this free-form musical relationship enjoyed by the trio is constant growth and evolution. The band's arrangements and interpretations of Jake's songs don't need to fit into any pre-selected genre or commercial format. The experimentation and constant group improvisation present in the band's live show beautifully illustrates the trio's philosophy of living, breathing, and feeling the music.

The collective musical seasoning of these three musicians is truly rare. They have experienced the smoke and sweat of real life club dates as well as the cerebral organization and discipline of academic music. It is refreshing to see such a young group take full advantage of the freedom to create. The musical potential possessed by this richly talented ensemble can be summed up in one word: boundless.