Covering San Antonio's music scene since 2005
The impetus for Owen was a direct result of the demise of American Football. Up to that point, having been associated with a number of bands, Mike sought a project where he could have complete creative control over all aspects including songwriting, recording, album artwork, and overall artistic direction.
When it came time to record his solo album, Mike approached Polyvinyl with the idea to take the money that normally would be spent on a recording studio and instead spend it on software so he could record the album on his own. He ended up heading to his mother’s house in Chicago and turned his old bedroom into a recording studio. Wishing to avoid the connotations associated with solo singer-songwriters, Mike began recording under the pseudonym, ‘Owen.’
Owen’s debut, Owen was a stark departure from previous Mike Kinsella projects. There no longer existed a need to play odd time signatures just for the sake of being different or writing parts that were technically challenging purely for the sake of being technically challenging. What remained was an artist finding his way through his home studio for the first time while recording all instrumentation on his own.
For 2002′s No Good For No One Now, Owen’s second full-length, a similar arrangement of purchasing recording equipment instead of studio time was agreed upon. This time the money went towards the purchase of microphones. No Good For No One Now was more realized than the first album owing in part to the experience of self-recording Owen. The most notable distinction between the two albums was Mike’s increased use of lyrical, literary devices: each song told a story.
In 2004, in collaboration with Cale Parks (of Aloha), Bob Hoffnar, Jen Tabor, and Paul Koob, Mike began recording again. What resulted was (the ep). The joint effort marked a turning point of sorts for Owen. Rumors began to swirl that a live band would be taken on the road for the first time but these rumors never materialized as Mike again rejoined Joan of Arc and became a touring member of both Maritime and Aloha.
(the ep) had been written as a companion piece to a scheduled full-length. In summer 2004, Mike again began recording and collaborating, this time with cousin Nate Kinsella ( Make Believe, Joan of Arc) who lent assistance both on instrumentation and engineering. The results of these efforts were I do perceive., Owen’s third full-length.
On At Home With Owen, Mike figuratively leaves the at-home bedroom that has characterized so much of Owen’s past musical output. His step away from bedroom recording allowed for an alternative approach to the songs recorded on At Home With Owen. “I’ve always hated how two dimensional the other Owen albums have sounded, and I think this one’s finally got a third dimension,” says Kinsella. The new approach to recording involved a fraction of pre-recording at Mike’s mom’s house, followed by sessions at Semaphore Studios with cousin Nate Kinsella (Joan of Arc, Make Believe) and finally at Engine Studios with Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Red Red Meat). This newfound transient approach to recording allows the music of Owen to reach a new depth; one that sways between organic overtures and fervent, lush ballads.
(Look for his cool banner on the right hand side of the blog for TONS of photos!)
Taken at Market Square, Sunday, Oct. 30th - Dia de Los Muertos Celebration.Come and join Sisters Grimm for Dia de los Muertos on a ghost tour through San Antonio. Meet your tour guides who will be dressed in traditional dia de los muertos dress and carrying lanterns to light your way through San Antonio. Join them as they take you through centuries past and tell you the [...]
An exhibit by local artists celebrating Dia De Los Muertos, with artworks portraying music, life and fun. Opening Saturday, October 29,2011 3-7pm. Artwerx Alley 1717 Blanco, across from Blanco Cafe. 320-5585. Exhibit will fun through November 12, 2011.
Celebrating Dia de los Muertos with history class and Mask making workshop starting at 10:45am, Saturday, Oct 29th., with Procession at 12 noon lead by Las Monas. Dress in your favorite outfit and participate in the first Dia de los Muertos event at Traders Village.
DÃa de los Muertos Schedule of Events
The Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Market Square are free and open to the public. sponsored by the Downtown Operations Department. For information about Market Square events, call 207-8600.
Saturday, Oct. 29: Market Square
10 – 10:30 a.m.
Blessing of the Altars by Teokalli Aztec Indians at [...]
Beginning on October 26th – November 4th, talented young artists from South San High school will display their “Dia de los Muertos” creations at La Villita’s Bolivar Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The young artists will be judged for creativity and content and then on October 28th an awards ceremony will [...]
Mariachi Las Altenas Dia de los Muertos
“The Day of the Dead” is a very important holiday in San Antonio and Mexico. This holiday is celebrated all over the world and can be traced back to indigenous cultures such as the Mayans, Incans, and Aztecs. Rituals were said to be presided over by the Aztec goddess, [...]
Carnaval de los Muertos is URBAN-15’s annual performance in celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Join URBAN-15’s Carnaval de San Anto as we pay our respects – Carnaval style.
The first performance is Nov. 1st at the Instituto Cultural de Mexico at around 6 pm.
The second performance is Nov. 2nd at the Instituto Cultural de Mexico [...]
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 6:45 pm – Free
In celebration and remembrance of people from the past, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center commemorates DÃa de los Muertos. The evening begins with the annual Dia de los Muertos Parade in front of San Anto Cultural Arts’ Peace and Remembrance mural located at Trinity and [...]
SAY SÃ’s 5th Annual Muertitos Fest helps expand people’s understanding of the rich tradition that ties our city to Mexico and commemorates the rich Mexican-American culture of San Antonio.
Our 5th Annual Muertitos Family Fest celebrating the Day of the Dead will be held on November 3 – 5, 2011 @ SAY SÃ Central [...]
Since 1977, Centro Cultural Aztlan has opened its doors to tourists and residents to take part in the biggest and oldest Dia de los Muertos Celebration paying tribute to this ancient tradition.
This year, 18 of San Antonio’s most talented and credentialed artists will create a Dia de los Muertos experience unlike any [...]
