Sam Owens began his musical career in Los Angeles in 2002, where he helped form the band The Colour.

All it took was Matt Maust of the Cold War Kids mentioning that he was borrowing Sam's sleeping bag, amidst frigid January temperatures, listening to his new songs as he huddled and bundled in Seattle."

[4] In October 2010, he officially released an album through iTunes, called How to Build a Clock, with Owens performing and recording all the elements in his studio at the foot of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State.

[6] As a graphic artist, Owens has created album packaging for Dustin Kensrue of Thrice[7] and Texas-based band Midlake[8] among many others.

He has also contributed to various publications, including Damon Dash's magazine America Nu,[9] and influential brands Ace Hotel and Urban Outfitters.