Meet Owen Shears | Musician & Record Label Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Owen Shears and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Owen, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose to pursue a career of art because I feel like it’s in my blood. My father and both my brothers are musicians, so naturally I’ve been drawn to music and art for as long as I can remember. There was a part of my life where I tried to ignore the urge to do the same thing and explore other avenues, but it got to a point where I simply couldn’t resist the urge to be creative and stay creative, so I just gave in. One of the best choices I’ve ever made.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of how far my label Deterioration Studios has come. It started as a clothing/multi media brand when I was 14, and slowly evolved into what it is now.

I operate in Orange and have 18 bands/projects that are either signed or have released music under Deterioration Studios which is a major accomplishment and goal that I set out when changing everything over to a label.

I want to give bands of all sizes an opportunity to have their music heard and art seen, though sometimes it is hard to catch up with everything while running it solo but despite that I love it and take pride in it. All it took to get here was to just focus on it everyday and honestly if any idea came to my head I’d just do it and put myself out there.

As for the music side of my life I recently joined one of my favorite bands, Hong Kong Fuck You from Tijuana, Mexico to play 1 of the 3 basses. Surreal but extremely grateful to be apart of the group. On the other hand, consistently play & book shows with my friends in Cabaret & Petridish,

Consistently writing new music and practicing with Cabaret because it’s the first band I’ve ever gotten to write all of the music, and it’s extremely rewarding being able to have complete freedom to take the sound in any direction. It also helps having an unreal drummer to fill in the gaps and make the songs 100x better (Gavin Pfieffer) and to have the most solid vocalist and bassist (Kaleo & Nalu Ika Polani Silversmith).

Same exact thing applies to the first band I ever joined Petridish, just a bit different genre wise. (Shoutout Dorian & Jack) for accepting me and teaching me how to play fast.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First night on Monday we are going to Korean Barbecue, then getting 6-8 Large Buzzballs each and going to Towne Square on Skid Row to watch Tripas Sangrientas And Sulferic Cautery.

Would also definitely have to go to Pita Hot In Fullerton, then cool off after with a Frazil from AMPM…

Then maybe end the night at the Orange Circle..

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d have to say my older brothers and my father. They are by far my biggest inspirations I’ve ever had and I owe a lot of my drive to keep pushing to them. Same can be said with my girlfriend and my bandmates. There are lots of musical and artistic inspirations too with bands like Dystopia, Killing Joke & Heresy just to name a few.

I’m extremely grateful for the people I get to work with on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and appreciate everyone I have the privilege of working with wether it’s small or big with making music, flyers, merch, or booking shows. I appreciate everyone who’s given me a chance and been down to work with me, I appreciate every one of you.

SIDE NOTE SHOUT OUT SEUDO YOUTH, GUNN, LAMICTAL, MOTH, UDJAT, EN LA MUERTE, ROMEOS, HUMBERT, PAIN GOD, HONG KONG FUCK YOU, TRIPAS SANGRIENTAS, LOS DUENDES, SPUNK, MODERN MAN, FLESH MARKET, ENFERMO, VANCANCY, MALEFICO, ZANE SEAGRAVES, SHRAUPNAUL, STEAK, TWENTY NINE PALMS, KOREY DANE, MINIUITY, GROINT SWAMP, SANDMAN, TORMENTA, PETRIDISH, CABARET, LIFE AND DEATH, LETHARGIC DREAD, INK, DAISY PUSHER, TIENE UN ARMA, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, SLEEP APNEA, BRUTAL UNDERGROUND, BLOW
UP DOLL, YEAR OF THE DEAD BIRD, NOTHING LESS BOOKING, FLETCHER & WYATT SHEARS, SLATER, FUNEROL, TONY YOUTH, WILL FROM EASTSIDE LUV, & JAXON WHITTINGTON

Website: deteriorationstudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deteriorationstudios?igsh=MWNwMGJxb2g3aWEybg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@deteriorationstudios?si=X6Mfu_u3xfTvezuz

Image Credits
@crowncitykid @vviliam__ @idk.weoutchea