Leith’s Dean Owens has been named Best UK artist for the fifth year in a row in in Americana UK’s annual Readers’ Poll.
This is the UK’s number 1 magazine for Americana and Roots Music. He was also listed in other categories.
Dean started 2025 with a headline show at Celtic Connections to launch his 12th studio album Spirit Ridge (on his Netherlands label, CRS) which went on to gain glowing 4 and 5 star reviews including in The Scotsman, Uncut, R2 Magazine, Australia’s Rhythm Magazine, Heaven Magazine (Netherlands) and many more. Spirit Ridge was recorded in a converted 400 year old farmhouse in the Emilia Romagna region in Italy – the land of Dean’s lion tamer great great grandfather – with acclaimed Italian producer/musician Don Antonio (Alejandro Escovedo/Sacre Cuori) and special guests including Calexico’s John Convertino.
Dean and his band The Sinners toured Australia for the first time in 2025, receiving standing ovations at the prestigious Port Fairy Folk Festival and Blue Mountains Music Festival. This was followed by sold out tours in the Netherlands, dates in Italy and packed shows in Edinburgh. Dean performed at The Famous Spiegeltent’s acclaimed Sounds of Scotland Season as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and his traditional pre-Christmas gig at The Pleasance Theatre.
The singer has just signed with a new UK booking agent, Apex Music International, who also look after the band Skerryvore.
Both of the songs below are from the Spirit Ridge album.
