Mike Kinsella, an incredible all american musician from the city of Chicago Illinois, is in many incredible bands such as American Football, Owen, Cap’n Jazz, The Shirts and Skins, and Joan of Arc. This 38 year old plays everything from drums, piano, guitar, bass, and of course vocals. Coming from a family of musicians, his talent comes as no surprise. he has been performing since age 18 not to mention any of the unknown high school bands he may or may not have been a part of. He also has had record deals with Polyvinyl Records and Jade Tree Records.

      American Football, an indie emo rock band from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, may have only produced one self titled album in 1999, but all together have portrayed their incredible musical capabilities. The beginning of every song, is full of incredible instrumentals including the trumpet (not to mention the guitar, bass, drums, etc). Guitarist, bassist, and singer, Mike Kinsella, pours out his heart and emotions into every single song. American Football first an active band from 1997-2000 and then got back together in 2014 and now play the occasional show. When they began to play together again 14 years later on March 20, 2014, Polyvinyl Records announced the release of a new version of the self titled album with 10 additional tracks as well as the 9 original songs. Being Kinsella’s second band, American Football has influenced many artists of today and made a large impact on emo rock.

      The band Cap’N Jazz was Mike Kinsella’s first appearance into the music industry. Also considered an indie-emo rock band, Cap’N Jazz released it’s first album, Analphabetapolothology, in 1998. The band’s members shifted and changed quite often. The band’s lineup was Tim Kinsella (vocals); Samuel Zurick (bass guitar); Mike Kinsella (drums, vocals); Victor Villarreal (guitar, vocals); and Davey von Bohlen (guitar, vocals from 1994–95). During the summer and fall of 2010, Cap’N Jazz played reunion shows across the U.S.

      Incomplete and a mystery, Mike Kinsella and his wife, Dana, started a  band called The Shirts and Skins in around 2007 but only officially put out 1 song called “The Burial.” Since he has formed a family with his wife and daughter, the idea of them continuing to make music together has been put on the back burner also due to his wife becoming a teacher. Tours in general have came to a halt because of his daughter but music is all he has ever done besides his usual day job of course. Between balancing a job and family, music has been less than prioritized, which I find pretty reasonable.

      Mike Kinsella’s third band, Joan of Arc, has to be my least favorite of all of his work. While there is some quite interesting instrumentals, I just don’t quite dig their vibe. There was quite a bit of band members that would come and go. In the end, the members were of course, Mike Kinsella, his brothers: Tim Kinsella and Nate Kinsella, and then Sam Zurick and Bobby Burg.

      Lastly, is Mike Kinsella’s best project (in my opinion): Owen. This band has been active since 2001. It really seems to take little bits and pieces of the rest of the albums and combine them into one creating 13 different LPs/EPs. Emotional and thoughtful, Mike Kinsella’s Owen really puts you in an intellectual state of mind. It’s the kind of music you can just sit and relax to for hours upon hours.  

      Though he has gone through lots of music and bands, he just seems to keep on getting better and better. If you’re ever looking for an artist to listen to, I strongly recommend you take a few minutes to check him out,