Brandon Eugene Owens

Brandon "Eugene" Owens is a bassist, singer-songwriter, and producer from Los Angeles who has worked with such musicians as Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Wonder, Terrance Blanchard, Lauryn Hill, Robert Glasper, Brenna Whitaker, Kelis, and Glen Ballard. He can be seen acting and performing in the Academy Award winning film Whiplash (2014). Brandon grew up in a musical family, the youngest of three Owens brothers who have risen to stardom, including keyboardist and producer Ikey Owens (Jack White/The Mars Volta/Sublime) and guitarist Aaron Owens (Hepcat/Long Beach Dub All Stars). He found his way to the bass in middle school after spending five years playing the clarinet. His prodigious ability landed him an invitation to attend the exclusive Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. During his time there Brandon won several top awards and was honored to share the stage with such artists as Billy Higgins, Stevie Wonder, Bo Diddley, and Boys II Men. After graduating from LACHSA, Brandon moved to New York to attend The New School, majoring in both Contemporary Music and Film. However, shortly after starting his first semester, he left school to tour with jazz pianist Benny Green. During his first year in New York, Brandon quickly became a first call for the elite of the jazz world, performing and recording with Terrance Blanchard, Mulgrew Miller, Monty Alexander, Nicholas Payton, Robert Glasper and many others. During this time, he also began working as musical director and bassist for Lauryn Hill. During these formative years on the road, Brandon began penning his own folk/indie pop songs with a drum machine, an acoustic guitar, and a 4-track under the name Eugene. Prolific by nature, he was soon sitting on more than 30 songs, and after catching the ear of KCRW resident DJ Nic Harcourt, Brandon was invited to perform on the NPR favorite Morning Becomes Eclectic. A string of successful appearances led to signing a record deal with New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. in 2006. Shortly thereafter, he began recording his debut LP Troubles with renowned producer and guitarist James Iha (formerly of Smashing Pumpkins). His songs have been placed in several TV shows including One Tree Hill, Parenthood, Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, MTV's 16 & Pregnant, and Teen Mom. Brandon now lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to tour, write & record with today's finest artists.