Owen Rivera was born and raised in California, but it’s with his Puerto-Rican roots that he connects most when making music. Still only sixteen, he now shares his take on the festival favourite ‘Feliz Navidad’ ahead of this Christmas season. Whilst setting the moods and bringing warmth to the cold days, the track gives a taste of the young musician’s artistry as he prepares to release his first original material early next year via Curb Records.

“José Feliciano’s timeless classic ‘Feliz Navidad’ has always been my go-to song for the holidays since I was born,” he shares. “My Puerto Rican mother would always kick off our holidays with this classic. It brings up so many fond memories from throughout the years. I love watching all of Jose Feliciano’s live performances, but there is a specific moment from one of his shows that spoke to me. He said, ‘When I wrote it I wrote it to bring both cultures together, the American culture and the Latin culture.’ Being from both cultures myself, I strive to do the same with my music and I am grateful for artists like José Feliciano who inspire me to do so.”

Here, we connect with Owen Rivera to discuss the track and its personal meaning, his artistic upbringing and what we can expect from his following work.

Listen to “Feliz Navidad”, Rivera’s version…

And read the full interview…

What inspired you to recreate such a traditional song? Do you have any memories attached to “Feliz Navidad”?

Since I was born, Jose Feliciano’s timeless classic “Feliz Navidad” has always been my go-to song for the holidays. My Puerto Rican mother would always kick off our holidays with this classic. It brings up so many fond holiday memories throughout the years of singing and dancing to this song with my family while cooking up a pot of arroz con pollo with some pasteles, empanadillas, and tostones…my FAVOURITES. My most cherished holiday memories growing up are all about the singing, dancing, and of course cooking Puerto Rican meals. Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” has always been that song to get the party started for us. The inspiration for covering this song is simple…because it holds special meaning and I wanted to do it for my family.

Can you take us through your artistic upbringing? What initially led you to a career in music?
Ok… bear with me here haha a lot to unpack and quite a story to tell. I discovered a love for music at the age of two when my parents gifted me my first toy drum kit and I never looked back. At three years old I was jamming out playing drums and percussion and singing songs with a broomstick as a mic to some of my favourite bands at the time like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. I would even fall asleep at 4 years old to music documentaries about Bob Marley and Bob Dylan instead of watching kid cartoons. Music was everything to me and all I wanted to do.

My parents are not musicians and were constantly trying to figure out how to feed my appetite for everything music. So one day they brought me to NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) to visit their music museum when I was 5. The John Lennon Tour Bus happened to be there that day and the producers asked me to go into the studio to hit the drums for them and I started jamming out some Zeppelin “Moby Dick” and they were not expecting that. So they invited me to take part in their music program for high school students that summer. I ended up headlining with some drum performances at the end of the program and a college admission officer from Musicians Institute in Hollywood was in the crowd. He invited me and my parents to come to the school campus for a tour and visit. I ended up sitting in on some classes and a Rep from Soultone Cymbals approached me and invited me to their offices.

So, I went there and ended up signing my first endorsement deal at 5 years old with them. I then started working and training out of Hollywood Music Studios, still 5 years old, where I was surrounded by all kinds of professional musicians who I got to meet and even work with. Let’s just say Tenacious D was my favourite neighbour in the studio next door. From there, things really sped up. I started playing guitar at 6 years old and then wrote and produced my first song at 8 years old with Rockstar Guitarist, Producer, and Engineer Kevin Gruft and his now wife, my music mama Agina Alvarez. We wrote and produced 5 different songs with some amazing talent like Patti Labelle’s drummer Eric Seats, Mavis Staples drummer Stephen Hodges, Alice Cooper’s drummer Glen Sobel, and Guns and Roses drummer Frank Ferrer. Also, at 8, I was challenged by Greenday Drummer Tre Cool on the spot to perform at the NAMM Show. So I did, and it led to an appearance on NBC’s hit show The Apprentice and an endorsement deal with SJC Drums. This led to an endorsement deal with Tycoon Percussion as well. The dominoes just kept falling. I then later signed an Artist Agreement with Ernie Ball at 12 years old. During all this, I was constantly performing live throughout Southern California at venues like The House of Blues.

The music led to acting opportunities. I was signed to a top acting agency in Hollywood at 5 and a top VoiceOver Agency in Beverly Hills at 8. I have done many commercials for companies from Old Navy to Amazon to Nickelodeon and even booked a lead role on Broadway in New York at 11. My VoiceOver career has led to me starring on a hit kid’s show that was nominated for an Emmy Award and also a starring role on a hit Nickelodeon cartoon, with much more currently in the works.

I left out a lot of experiences and stories but this gives you an idea of my journey as an artist. I truly have been blessed to work with and be mentored by some of the best award-winning artists in the music industry. This all culminated with me signing a Record Deal with Curb Records at 14 years old. Now, I have a chance to make a living doing what I love most…making music. As a 16yr old, I look back now and see that if my parents never got me that toy kit and supported me, or if I never picked up those sticks and put in the work I would not have the career I have today and I have my parents to thank for that. Their love and support is what has allowed me to go on this journey.

Which artists or experiences have influenced your musical journey? And what inspires you today?
One of my favourite artists of all time is Mavis Staples. I performed once at a show featuring her and got to meet her and her band when I was 8 years old. I ended up being invited to her private studio and I was able to watch her record one of her albums. Watching her work in the studio was incredible and left quite an impression on me. She was so professional and kind and I could see how passionate she was while recording and how much fun she was having. I could feel it through her vocal and it is something I have always strived for. After the session, I was able to go into the studio and talk with her about songwriting, performing and recording. It is something I will never forget. Her kindness, willingness to help and advice left a huge impression on me. Quite an experience for me at 8 years old. Another similar experience was when I performed in a show featuring Graham Nash. I was able to meet with him after the show and get some great advice from him as well. Watching Graham perform is not like just listening to an artist perform song after song. Watching him perform is like listening to someone tell a story almost like he is reading a book to the audience. He is a storyteller through his music and that is something I strive for after watching one of the best.

Over the years I have been blessed to work with some of the best drummers in the world. Drumming Legends Steve Ferrone and Gregg Bissonette the drummers for Tom Petty, Ringo Starr, and countless other top artists have both been such incredible mentors, inspirations, and friends to me. They have both mentored me on the drum kit, wrote and tracked drums on my original songs, and been there to support my music journey for many years now with advice and support every step of the way. They have taught me so much about being a professional. Their stories, advice, and support have meant the world to me.

So many other amazing professional artists like guitarists Arianna Powell, Rafael Hoffa Moreira and Molly Miller who have been mentoring me on guitar, drummer Ryan Seaman and music director and keys maestro Alex Alessandroni Jr have all helped and influenced my journey along the way and I am very thankful. I wish I could list them all. One artist I find very inspiring today is Olivia Rodrigo. Olivia’s mom was my elementary school teacher, and I got to talk with and hang out with Olivia in the mornings before school started in her mom’s class. She is a wonderful artist but an even better person. Seeing her success coming from the same school, and area I grew up in shows me it can be done. My teacher Mrs. Rodrigo was always so kind and supportive of me and my love of music. I am so happy to see her success and it definitely inspires me. My main inspiration today though comes from my family, my brother and my artist friends and I am just focusing on the opportunities that are in front of me right now.

How would you describe your overall musical style?
That’s a tough one. I would just describe it as me. I can’t pin a label on it. If I were to put it into words, it’s a fusion of rock, Latin, and singer-songwriter, with a little bit of jazz, blues, pop and soul. My influences and style are definitely rooted in old school 60s 70s vibe but I love and listen to all kinds of music and just play what feels right to me whatever connects with me. I don’t try to be something I just am me. I start riffing on the guitar and it takes me on an adventure.

The press release says that you’ve been working on writing and recording your original songs this year. How was this process?
I love it! I love being in the studio writing and recording. The studio is truly my home away from home. Actually, I prefer it to my home if I could just bring my pup Sumo with me! The creative process is one of my favourite things about music, it allows me to express myself not only in lyrics but with all my instruments as well. Finding that drum fill, that guitar riff, that vocal moment, the percussion, the keys, then putting it all together. I love playing and tracking all the different instruments, the creative process is the best. I was even able to speak with some very special artists for inspiration during this process. I was able to speak with Micky Dolenz from the Monkees for some valuable advice and encouragement as well as Nancy Sinatra. Pretty cool! I was invited to a party with the Beach Boys too! I got to meet and talk with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. Bruce bought me a soda and gave me some great songwriting advice to bring back to the studio in case I got writer’s block. Yes, that was a great night!

Also, It has been amazing working with Michael Lloyd in studio. He has been such an incredible Producer and Mentor for me. I have learned so much from him and I am so thankful for everything he has done for me and taught me. Blessed.

How do you see your artistic evolution in the past year?
I have matured as an artist, musician, and composer this past year. I am able to better express myself in my music now, more than in previous years. I find myself constantly learning and growing as a musician and as a singer-songwriter. I am only 16 years old but I have always been told I am an old soul. So naturally as I get older I gain more and more life experience and continue to mature personally and professionally. Combined with my work ethic and passion for music I feel simply life experience is what has and will continue to help me evolve as an artist.

What can we expect from your releases in 2024? What are you most looking forward to?
Oh, I love this question! It gets me excited! I have been working hard for a year
now with my amazing team in the Beverly Hills Studio putting together my music to share with the world! The creative process was incredible but now I can’t wait to share our work and start performing my music live. The studio is my home away from home but the stage is a very close second! I have been performing live since I was 4 years old but I have never performed my original content live. I can’t wait 🙂 I am also very excited about the release of my original Latin Music. I absolutely love singing in Spanish and I am very excited to finally release my Latin tracks in 2024. What to expect? Some Rock, Pop, some Latin influence, some Old School influence… all me.

Looking ahead, What are your future goals and aspirations as an artist?
I honestly don’t know. I have not given it much thought. I live very much in the moment. I just focus on controlling what I can control. That is always trying to make myself better every day. I want to always be learning. My parents are teachers. My mom and my pops are elementary school teachers. So I took that philosophy from them. I know so many people and artists have helped me along my journey and I want to make sure to do the same for others. Music is who I am and what I do. It’s all I know so I hope my journey continues and ends as it began…with music. Whether it’s playing a sold-out Madison Square Garden or a small jazz club in New York with my pup at my side I just hope it is all about music.

How do you envision your music evolving or expanding in the future?
Life Experience. I have only been on this planet for 16 years so as I mature and experience more of what this world has to offer my music will naturally evolve. I love travel, language, and culture. I went to visit my family in Puerto Rico this year and it was an incredible experience. Being on the island and listening to the live music, tasting the food, salsa dancing in the streets, walking down the streets at night, and hearing the coquis…were all special experiences for me. Things I find inspiration in for my music. Things that make me a better overall person. I want to explore the world and draw inspiration from it and in turn share my music with it.

Are there any new collaborations on the horizon that you’d like to share with us?
New collaborations yes but thanks to NDA’s and lawyers none I can share just yet. I have learned in this industry there are always things happening and going down. You always need to be flexible and ready. The main focus is the release of my original music for the first time in 2024. I can’t wait to share it with you all.