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'''Owen''' is the primary solo project of American [[indie rock]] and [[emo]] musician [[Mike Kinsella]]. The project features soft melodies and complex acoustics, combining acoustic guitar with keyboard, other guitars, vocals, and drums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/artists/index.php?id=284|title=Polyvinyl Records|publisher=Polyvinylrecords.com|access-date=December 2, 2014}}</ref>
'''Owen''' is a solo project of [[Mike Kinsella]], and part of the Chicago, Illinois [[indie rock]] scene.

Kinsella is one of the dominant and influential figures in the Chicago indie scene, having also led the band [[American Football (band)|American Football]], and played in the bands [[Cap'n Jazz]], [[Joan of Arc (band)|Joan of Arc]], The One Up Downstairs and [[Owls (band)|Owls]], and most recently [[Their / They're / There]].

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Owen is known for its soft melodies, complex acoustics, combining lead acoustics with keyboard and other guitars, plaintive vocals and drums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/artists/index.php?id=284|title=Polyvinyl Records|publisher=Polyvinylrecords.com|access-date=December 2, 2014}}</ref> It can be seen as a natural progression for Kinsella, from the progressive and experimental severity of Joan of Arc via the more melodic-progressive American Football.


==Career==
==Career==
Owen's debut, ''[[Owen (album)|Owen]]'' was a stark departure from previous Mike Kinsella projects. For 2002's ''[[No Good For No One Now]]'', Owen's second album, an arrangement of purchasing recording equipment instead of studio time was agreed upon. In 2004, in collaboration with Cale Parks (of [[Aloha (band)|Aloha]]), Bob Hoffnar, Jen Tabor, and Paul Koob, Mike began recording again. What resulted was ''[[(the ep)]]''. The joint effort marked a turning point of sorts for Owen. Rumors began to swirl that a live band would be taken on the road for the first time, but these rumors never materialized as Mike again rejoined [[Joan of Arc (band)|Joan of Arc]] and became a touring member of both Maritime and Aloha.
Owen's debut album, ''[[Owen (album)|Owen]]'', marked a departure from Mike Kinsella's previous projects. For the second album, ''[[No Good For No One Now]]'', Kinsella opted to purchase recording equipment instead of studio time. In 2004, Kinsella collaborated with Cale Parks (of [[Aloha (band)|Aloha]]), Bob Hoffnar, Jen Tabor, and Paul Koob, to record ''[[(the ep)]]''. Despite rumors of a live band tour, Kinsella rejoined [[Joan of Arc (band)|Joan of Arc]] and toured with Maritime and Aloha.
''[[(the ep)]]'' had been written as a companion piece to a scheduled full-length. In summer 2004, Mike again began recording and collaborating, this time with cousin Nate Kinsella ([[Make Believe (band)|Make Believe]], Joan of Arc) who lent assistance both on instrumentation and engineering. The results of these efforts were ''[[I Do Perceive]]'', Owen's third album.
''[[(the ep)]]'' was written as a companion piece to a planned full-length album. Later in 2004, Kinsella recorded ''[[I Do Perceive]]'', Owen's third album, with assistance from his cousin [[Nate Kinsella]].

On ''[[At Home With Owen]]'', Mike figuratively leaves the at-home bedroom that has characterized so much of Owen's past musical presence. His step away from bedroom recording allowed for an alternative approach to the songs recorded on at Home With Owen. "I've always hated how two dimensional the other Owen albums have sounded, and I think this one's finally got a third dimension," Kinsella says. The new approach to recording involved a fraction of pre-recording at Mike's mom's house, followed by sessions at Semaphore Studios with cousin [[Nate Kinsella]] (Joan of Arc, Make Believe) and finally at Engine Studios with Brian Deck ([[Iron & Wine]], [[Red Red Meat]]).

⚫
In July 2009, Polyvinyl Records released ''[[The Seaside EP]]'', a collection of Owen songs previously only available as Japanese bonus tracks, as well as a track from the Association of Utopian Hologram Swallowers".


⚫
''[[At Home With Owen]]'' featured a different approach to recording, incorporating sessions at Semaphore Studios and Engine Studios with producers [[Nate Kinsella]] and Brian Deck. In July 2009, Polyvinyl Records released ''[[The Seaside EP]]'', a collection of songs previously available only as Japanese bonus tracks and a track from the Association of Utopian Hologram Swallowers.
Since the release of his 2006 album, much has changed for Kinsella. During the writing process for the fifth album, ''[[New Leaves]]'', Kinsella became both a husband and a father, adding a sense of responsibility and new direction to the personalized quality of Owen releases. As the title would suggest, New Leaves finds Kinsella building upon and branching off of the core elements of his efforts – clever lyrics over intricate guitar work – now aided by a more complex song structure and refined lyrical matter. Produced by Brian Deck ([[Iron & Wine]], [[Margot & the Nuclear So and So's]]), Graeme Gibson ([[Califone]], Joan of Arc), Tim Iseler ([[Wilco]], [[Teenage Fanclub]]) and cousin [[Nate Kinsella]], ''New Leaves'' is 10 tracks of renewal and personal growth.


Kinsella's personal life changes, including becoming a husband and father, influenced the writing process for Owen's fifth album, ''[[New Leaves]].'' Produced by Brian Deck, Graeme Gibson, Tim Iseler, and [[Nate Kinsella]], ''New Leaves'' features ten tracks reflecting personal growth and complexity.
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In 2010, Owen released the "Abandoned Bridges" single. He has also released an EP titled ''O, Evelyn'' in April 2011. Owen's album, ''[[Ghost Town (Owen album)|Ghost Town]]'', was released on November 8, 2011. Owen's album, ''[[L'Ami du Peuple (Owen album)|L'Ami du Peuple]]'', was released on July 2, 2013.


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In 2010, Owen released the single "Abandoned Bridges" and an EP titled ''O, Evelyn'' in April 2011. The album ''[[Ghost Town (Owen album)|Ghost Town]]'' followed on November 8, 2011. ''[[L'Ami du Peuple (Owen album)|L'Ami du Peuple]]'', was released on July 2, 2013.
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On October 2, 2014, it was announced that Owen is releasing a covers album titled ''[[Other People's Songs (album)|Other People's Songs]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharp|first=Tyler|title=Owen announces 'Other People's Songs' covers album|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/owen_announces_other_peoples_songs_covers_album|publisher=Alternative Press|access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref> The album was released on December 2, 2014, through Polyvinyl Records. It included covers of songs from artists including [[Against Me!]], [[Depeche Mode]], [[The Promise Ring]], and [[Lungfish (band)|Lungfish]] amongst others.


⚫
On October 2, 2014, it was announced that Owen would release a covers album titled ''[[Other People's Songs (album)|Other People's Songs]],''<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharp|first=Tyler|title=Owen announces 'Other People's Songs' covers album|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/owen_announces_other_peoples_songs_covers_album|publisher=Alternative Press|access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref> which was released on December 2, 2014, through Polyvinyl Records. This album includes covers of songs by artists such as [[Against Me!]], [[Depeche Mode]], [[The Promise Ring]], and [[Lungfish (band)|Lungfish]].
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In July 2016, he released the album ''The King of Whys'' through Polyvinyl in America and [[Wichita Recordings]] in England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22178-the-king-of-whys/|title=Owen: The King of Whys Album Review {{!}} Pitchfork|last=Cohen|first=Ian|date=August 2, 2016|website=pitchfork.com|access-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref>


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In July 2016, Owen released the album ''The King of Whys'' through Polyvinyl in the United States and [[Wichita Recordings]] in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22178-the-king-of-whys/|title=Owen: The King of Whys Album Review {{!}} Pitchfork|last=Cohen|first=Ian|date=August 2, 2016|website=pitchfork.com|access-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref> In June 2020, the album ''The Avalanchewas was released'' through Polyvinyl Records.
In June 2020, he released the album ''The Avalanche'' through Polyvinyl Records.


On February 8, 2024, Kinsella announced an album titled "The Falls of Sioux", scheduled for release on April 26th through Polyvinyl Records. The song "Beaucoup" was released as a single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://owenmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-falls-of-sioux|title=The Falls of Sioux {{!}} Owen|website=[[Bandcamp]]|access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref>
On February 8, 2024, Kinsella announced an album titled ''The Falls of Sioux'', which was released on April 26, 2024, through Polyvinyl Records. The single "Beaucoup" was released in advance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://owenmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-falls-of-sioux|title=The Falls of Sioux {{!}} Owen|website=[[Bandcamp]]|access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==

Latest revision as of 00:58, 7 October 2024

Owen
Background information
OriginChicago, Illinois, United States
Genres
Years active2001–present
Labels
MembersMike Kinsella
Websiteowenmusic.com

Owen is the primary solo project of American indie rock and emo musician Mike Kinsella. The project features soft melodies and complex acoustics, combining acoustic guitar with keyboard, other guitars, vocals, and drums.[1]

Career

[edit]

Owen's debut album, Owen, marked a departure from Mike Kinsella's previous projects. For the second album, No Good For No One Now, Kinsella opted to purchase recording equipment instead of studio time. In 2004, Kinsella collaborated with Cale Parks (of Aloha), Bob Hoffnar, Jen Tabor, and Paul Koob, to record (the ep). Despite rumors of a live band tour, Kinsella rejoined Joan of Arc and toured with Maritime and Aloha. (the ep) was written as a companion piece to a planned full-length album. Later in 2004, Kinsella recorded I Do Perceive, Owen's third album, with assistance from his cousin Nate Kinsella.

At Home With Owen featured a different approach to recording, incorporating sessions at Semaphore Studios and Engine Studios with producers Nate Kinsella and Brian Deck. In July 2009, Polyvinyl Records released The Seaside EP, a collection of songs previously available only as Japanese bonus tracks and a track from the Association of Utopian Hologram Swallowers.

Kinsella's personal life changes, including becoming a husband and father, influenced the writing process for Owen's fifth album, New Leaves. Produced by Brian Deck, Graeme Gibson, Tim Iseler, and Nate Kinsella, New Leaves features ten tracks reflecting personal growth and complexity.

In 2010, Owen released the single "Abandoned Bridges" and an EP titled O, Evelyn in April 2011. The album Ghost Town followed on November 8, 2011. L'Ami du Peuple, was released on July 2, 2013.

On October 2, 2014, it was announced that Owen would release a covers album titled Other People's Songs,[2] which was released on December 2, 2014, through Polyvinyl Records. This album includes covers of songs by artists such as Against Me!, Depeche Mode, The Promise Ring, and Lungfish.

In July 2016, Owen released the album The King of Whys through Polyvinyl in the United States and Wichita Recordings in the United Kingdom.[3] In June 2020, the album The Avalanchewas was released through Polyvinyl Records.

On February 8, 2024, Kinsella announced an album titled The Falls of Sioux, which was released on April 26, 2024, through Polyvinyl Records. The single "Beaucoup" was released in advance.[4]

Discography

[edit]
For a more comprehensive list, see Owen discography.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Polyvinyl Records". Polyvinylrecords.com. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  2. ^ Sharp, Tyler. "Owen announces 'Other People's Songs' covers album". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  3. ^ Cohen, Ian (August 2, 2016). "Owen: The King of Whys Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "The Falls of Sioux | Owen". Bandcamp. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
[edit]
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