AS the daughter of impresario Tommy Cowan and singer Carlene Davis, Naomi Cowan has been around music all her life.
Recently, the Toronto-based singer/guitarist got off the mark as a solo artist with the release of the songs, Naked and Prepare (Ye The Way).
Cowan is no stranger to the recording booth, having done backing vocals for her mother, as well as ‘voicing’ several of her ideas.
In an interview with the Sunday Observer from Ontario, she spoke about Naked and Prepare (Ye The Way), her biggest projects to date.
“It is a very freeing feeling. More than an accomplishment, almost like a new birth,” she said.
Cowan wrote Naked while Prepare (Ye The Way) was originally done by contemporary Christian artist Michael W Smith. She co-produced the former with Phillip Myers and shares production credits on the latter with her father.
Both are released by the family’s Glory Music company.
Typical of the modern Christian performer, religion does not limit her sound or musical tastes.
“At this stage, my songs can be described as inspirational, contemporary R&B or pop rock. However, this sound is influenced by my instrument because I’ve been writing on my guitar,” she explained.
Her mother, who has enjoyed success as a secular and religious artiste, is among Cowan’s biggest influences. She also tunes into the folk strains of Corrine Bailey Rae, and the neo-soul of Alicia Keys and Robin Thicke.
Making music, Cowan noted, should have no boundaries.
“Contemporary Christian music isn’t a new trend. Many Christian artists have been recording contemporary music for years, it’s just that now it’s getting more attention,” she said. “I think it’s important and relevant that music with a Christian message is created for people who like a certain sound. Everyone’s ear and taste is different; we respond to different sounds in our own unique way.”
Most of Cowan’s recording has been on Davis’ albums which include Vessel, Rock me Jesus and Dripping Blood.
A former host of Television Jamaica’s financial programme, Wealth Magazine, she is studying for a master’s degree in digital media at Ryerson University in Toronto.
— By Howard Campbell
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