Owen Graves

Born in Detroit in 1998, Owen Graves is the bassist of American alternative rock band Black Avenue, recognised for his distinctive groove-driven playing and effortlessly confident musical personality. Growing up surrounded by Detroit's diverse musical heritage, Graves developed an appreciation for rhythm and the relationship between bass and drums. Rather than treating the bass guitar as a supporting instrument, he became interested in creating memorable basslines capable of driving entire songs. His musical approach combines the weight of alternative rock with the rhythmic instincts of blues, funk and garage rock. Thick, slightly distorted bass tones and infectious grooves have become defining elements of his playing. Graves joined Black Avenue in 2022, bringing a new rhythmic dimension to the songwriting partnership of Jake Harlow and Caleb Price. His ability to introduce movement beneath heavy guitar riffs helped establish the band's distinctive sound. Alongside drummer Finn Walker, Graves forms a powerful rhythm section that balances raw energy with an instinctive sense of groove. Black Avenue's debut single Gasoline highlights his approach, with a prominent bassline providing much of the song's swagger beneath its distorted guitars. As the band develops, Graves remains committed to ensuring that rhythm and musical personality remain just as important as volume and aggression.