Tim Kinsella lets everyone else tell the story of Joan of Arc—entirely in keeping with his long-running group’s embrace of illogic and reinvention.
Tag: Mike Kinsella
Posted inMusic
Heartbreak, melodic intricacy, and lush arrangements shape Owen’s tenth album, The Avalanche
Few indie-rock artists are more prolific than singer-songwriter Mike Kinsella, who’s been playing in Illinois bands since the late 80s, including Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc, and American Football. The latter band reunited in 2014 following a 14-year break and subsequently released two acclaimed albums, 2016’s American Football (or LP2) and last year’s American Football […]
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After releasing one of 2019’s best albums, American Football celebrate the 20th anniversary of an iconic emo LP
In fall 2018, user-generated Internet in-joke database Know Your Meme added a page about second-wave emo legends American Football. Funny riffs on the band’s 1999 self-titled debut album and its scene-famous cover art—a green-hued off-center image of the Urbana house where photographer Chris Strong lived at the time—have pervaded Internet emo and indie-rock circles at […]
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American Football make peace with the past on their new self-titled album
Twenty years ago Illinois emo trio American Football released their self-titled debut to little interest or acclaim, but since then the wistful, gentle record has become a totem that’s eclipsed many bigger indie and emo releases of that era. Even the album’s cover art—an angled photo of an Urbana house none of the band’s members […]
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Owen’s Mike Kinsella leads a lineup of local indie bandleaders for a good cause
At the Beat Kitchen’s Holiday Toy Drive, a jam-packed lineup of local emo and indie-rock icons will play acoustic sets while raising cash and collecting toys to benefit the SOS Children’s Villages of Illinois. Headlined by American Football’s Mike Kinsella (who moonlights as Owen in a solo capacity), the eight-set showcase includes bandleaders Dave Davison […]
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Tim Kinsella and Cap’n Jazz harnessed the raw power of their 90s selves at Riot Fest
Kinsella didn’t let age slow him down during two Cap’n Jazz reunion shows at Riot Fest and Bottom Lounge.
Posted inMusic
Chicago summers according to the Chicagoans at Pitchfork
The locals playing Pitchfork—including Jamila Woods, Derrick Carter, and Mike Kinsella—talk about the city’s best summer music.
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Chicago’s most popular young metal guitarist plays on YouTube, not onstage
Chicago guitarist Rob Scallon almost never plays live, but his frequently goofy YouTube videos have earned him an audience of millions.
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American Football: Accidental rock stars
American Football became heroes to the emo scene after breaking up in obscurity—and 17 years later, they’ve returned with a second album.
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Shame That Tune rides off into the embarrassing sunset
Shame That Tune rides off into the embarrassing sunset, Owen and Into It. Over It. release a split EP, and more.
Posted inBlogs
American Football graced the stage at Beat Kitchen on Saturday
. . . and we’ve got the photos to prove it!
Posted inBlogs
Reader’s Agenda Fri 5/16: Manifest Urban Arts Festival, The Inspector and the Prince, and Owls
What’s on the Reader‘s Agenda for Friday, May 16
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Midwestern emo catches its second wind
Midwestern underground emo is coming back—and it’s turning up overseas and on the charts.
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Gossip Wolf: A changing of the guard at the Hideout
A changing of the guard at the Hideout, a new indie “supergroup,” and a solo album from half of String Theory
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Gossip Wolf: Pitchfork predictions, round two
More Pitchfork picks, emo people watching at the Promise Ring, and new orch-pop from Panoramic & True