Mike Kinsella
Kinsella in 2007
Background information
Born	(1977-03-04) March 4, 1977 (age 47)
Origin	Chicago, Illinois
Genres	Emo[1] indie rock punk rock[2] Midwest emo post-rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals guitar keyboards bass guitar drums
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Polyvinyl Jade Tree Green Linnet Perishable Man With Gun
Member of	The One Up Downstairs Owls Joan of Arc Owen Cap'n Jazz American Football Their / They're / There Lies
Website	owenmusic.com

Mike Kinsella (born March 4, 1977) is an American musician and singer-songwriter. Having been involved in many Illinois-based bands, he is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the emo band American Football.

Career

Kinsella's first musical project was serving as drummer for the band Cap'n Jazz, which he co-founded with his brother Tim.^[3] Cap'n Jazz originally featured their local high school star running back on drums. When he quit to focus on football, a 12-year-old Mike Kinsella learned how to play a 16-piece drum set.^[4]

With either Tim and/or cousin Nate Kinsella, he has also participated in the projects Owls and Joan of Arc.

In 2001, Kinsella began his current solo project, Owen, in which he performs vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, loops, etc.^[5] Kinsella was also in a band called The Shirts and Skins, with his wife. In 2013, he released two EPs with Their / They're / There, a project featuring Evan Weiss of Into It. Over It. and Matthew Frank of Loose Lips Sink Ships.^[6] He has also been part of the band The One Up Downstairs, alongside American Football drummer Steve Lamos.

Many of his albums, including Owen and No Good for No One Now, were recorded at his mother's home.^[7]

Discography