Owen

Mike Kinsella is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for his contributions to the Chicago indie rock and emo scenes. Kinsella performs solo under the project name Owen and is recognized for his work with Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Owls, and American Football. His first musical endeavor was as drummer for Cap'n Jazz, which he co-founded with his brother Tim, beginning at age 12 after learning to play a 16-piece drum set. Following the disbandment of Cap'n Jazz, Kinsella formed American Football while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he played guitar and provided lead vocals on the band's self-titled debut album, a work noted for its intricate guitar interplay and introspective themes that later achieved cult status in the emo genre.

While Kinsella played drums in earlier projects and collaborated with other musicians in American Football, Owen became an outlet for his individual creative vision. The project features spare, melodic music with acoustic guitar, keyboard, vocals, and drums, reflecting indie folk influences and lo-fi production techniques. Kinsella developed Owen while touring as a roadie, writing songs on guitar during downtime, and has performed and recorded without formal music training, relying on ear and observation.

Owen debuted with the self-titled album "Owen," followed by releases such as "No Good for No One Now," "New Leaves," and "L'Ami du Peuple." The project expanded its sound with S. Carey-produced albums including "The King of Whys," "The Avalanche," and "The Falls of Sioux," which incorporated electronic elements. Owen's discography includes eleven studio albums, two EPs, and several split releases, contributing to the evolution of indie folk and emo music.

As American Football members pursued other projects, the band's sole album gained recognition as a classic in millennial indie rock, blending math-rock and emo influences. Kinsella also collaborated with his cousin and American Football bandmate Nate on an experimental pop album under the name LIES, which influenced his approach to electronic music on "The Falls of Sioux." Kinsella's work continues to impact contemporary indie rock and emo, with a career spanning multiple bands and a prolific solo output in American independent music.