Owen

The thrill of discovery is one of the best feelings in the world. I've mentioned this before, and probably will mention it every time I talk about a band or artist, but discovering music is one of my hobbies and passions. I like to constantly think that my favorite song is one that I haven't heard yet (it may not even be recorded or conceived yet, but I'll ignore those more astronomical thoughts so I don't drive myself batshit insane).

I had heard of Owen but never listened. On this message board I used to go to sometimes, everyone loved Owen. I read the name all the time but for some reason didn't feel the urge to listen. It's difficult to make the effort to listen to something new. Listening intently to new music is a consuming process, it takes a lot of energy to "get into" something. It varies from artist to artist but I think it's true. Do I pay attention to the music? Do I pay attention to the lyrics? Do I pay attention to the singer's voice? It's really easy to feel safe with a static music collection, with songs you know. I urge people to challenge their current tastes and start listening to everything. Come across a band name and instead of ignoring it, go to Hype Machine and search for it. Listen to a song and understand why it's good and bad. We don't learn too much from quality sources. After hearing Nickelback songs, I understand why I would never write songs like theirs. After seeing Gran Torino, not only do I just NEVER WANT TO SEE A MOVIE EVER AGAIN, but I know that I will never write a script like that (you know, when I get around to it...).

Owen is Mike Kinsella, veteran of the Chicago music scene who played in Cap'n Jazz and American Football (who I will probably write about soon). After those bands broke up, he started a solo project, recording songs late at night in his parents' house on a Digi 001 setup. Most of his songs have a very similar musical style. Layered acoustic guitar parts with lush, airy parts floating all around. Every once in a while there will be a clean, electric guitar part and maybe a short, distorted guitar solo. As fantastic as the music is, what really makes Owen shine is the lyrics. In my opinion, Mike Kinsella is one of the most gifted lyricists of his time. And I don't think too many people even know who he is. He doesn't sell out shows and he doesn't tour all that often.

"Breaking Away" is one of his most beautiful songs, with an awesome movie-and-bicycle-referencing title. After being at the bar, he sings, "I'm a bicycle. I'm too tired to ride home." Two-tired. Brilliant. (Lyrics)



I also really admire lyrics that can be read linearly, in a paragraph. "The Ghost of What Should Have Been":
"What else in this room reminds me of you? The windowsill with a crucified pit of an avocado still sits in water. What else in this room reminds me of the relationship I’ve ruined. The tables I made strong enough to hold your magazines, but not your tired legs. One more week in this apartment, one more week of being haunted by the ghost of what should have been. What else in this fucking empty room reminds me of fucking you? An orphaned couch where I spent some long nights while you went out with our friends. What I wouldn’t do to be a ghost like you, to be somewhere new. To leave everything, the way you left everything that reminded you of me. One more week in this apartment, one more week of being haunted."



The "crucified pit of an avocado" refers to an avocado plant, which is when you stick toothpicks into an avocado pit and place it in a glass of water.

The observation that it looks crucified is so simple and poetic. What I also love in this song is the parallel structure. "What else in this room reminds me of you?" becomes "What else in this fucking empty room reminds me of fucking you?" The tone and meaning of the line changes completely with the addition of a few words.

In "Poor Souls," he narrates his desperate search for a one-night stand:
"long night. last call. blood-shot eyes from some drinks too tall. i breathe in deep and i swear to god i'll die if i go home alone tonight. i raise my head slow hoping to find a girl i don't know, but wouldn't mind showing a good time to, feeling alright with, doing something we might regret in the morning. you, in the cardigan - you're tired of all your friends. and you, with your hair pulled back just right --you're bored with all your friends. i want to be with you tonight. our legs crossed and our tounges tied. now which one of you poor souls wants to drive me home?"

His songs are simple but that is exactly what makes them so poignant. Simple but extraordinary.

"Tell me again what you were thinking when you got that bruise tattooed, forever black and blue."

Stream "That Tattoo Isn't Funny Anymore" (Lyrics)