Mike Kinsella is a scion of the American indie scene. From his start in the influential Cap’n Jazz, to the seminal Joan of Arc, to his solo project Owen, Kinsella has been a true original in a scene filled with copycats and posturing. He recently released a new EP Abandoned Bridges and is in the process of finishing a new follow-up EP.
What inspired you to get into music at such a young age?
Michael Anthony’s bass solo on the Van Halen 5150 tour. It’s pretty much the pinnacle of musical precision and expression.
Related Posts
What is your main lyrical inspiration?
Friends, Raymond Carver, and beer — unfortunately not always in that order.
How did you develop your musical style from Cap’n Jazz, to American Football, to Owen and Joan of Arc today? And how did you develop your lyrical style?
I think I got it from playing with all the dudes in all those bands — brother Tim, Vic, Sam, Davey, the two Steves in American Football, cousin Nate, the rotating cast of “Joan of Arc-ers” — and trying to come up with stuff that they would think is cool.
[Regarding my lyrical style], it’ really more of an “anti-style.” It usually starts with me jotting down a couple lines, then coming back to them later and thinking they’re too corny or contrived and scrapping them — but keeping whatever sentiment they were expressing, and trying to think of the plainest way to say it. Throw in a couple colloquial four-letter words, and, voila!
What made you decide to focus more on being a solo artist than being a part of a band?
At first it was just a means of learning how to use Pro Tools after graduating college. Then, eventually, I wound up with a bunch of songs, [and] then a bunch of albums. Nowadays it’s more of a logistics thing — it’s too hard to commit to a full band’s schedule with a wife and baby. Every few months I get excited laying in bed thinking about the kick ass rock band “I’m totally going to start,” but then those damn logistics get in the way.
How did you come up with the name “Owen” for your solo project?
I just like it more than “Mike.”