"Channeling Owen is gourmet rock, serving up smart lyrics that digest on multiple levels, with a rare cello element to spice up their sound." -ModernRock.com
"Channeling Owen has a tight sound, slick looks and lyrically edgy tunes you can't get out of your head." -Forbes ASAP
Channeling Owen is four dynamic personalities: Matt Tonken (lead vocals/guitar); Stu Strumwasser (drums, and lyricist); Dean Beaver (bass) and Mika Larson (cello) who create a distinctive pop-rock sound that transcends its genre. This is due, in part, to their sometimes literary-minded lyrics, and the use of an electrified cello as the prominent instrument to highlight their melodic constructions. In the two years since their inception Channeling Owen has received airplay on over 300 college radio stations, was featured in Forbes ASAP (the sister publication to Forbes), was a featured artist on Rollingstone.com, had their song "Scared of Me" featured on the hot teen drama "Dawson's Creek," and are the subjects of a documentary feature exploring the peaks and valleys of being an independent band in New York City today. Their 2000 demo was recently named one of the top twenty of the year by Music Connection-the most prominent LA music magazine. Channeling Owen is known for intense and exciting live performances and a repertoire that ranges from soft and moody to driving modern rock.