Mike Kinsella begins his 11th Owen album by singing about a suitcase that was “big enough to hold all my shit and then some at 21, but now in my 40s, I travel with much more dirty laundry.” It lets you know right off the bat that he’s not singing about his teenage feelings anymore, but if you think his sad bastard music is something to grow out of, just you wait. On The Falls of Sioux, Mike’s unmistakable songwriting style is as highly detailed and emotionally impactful as ever, both comforting in its familiarity and discomforting in its casual devastation. Like the last two Owen albums, it was made with co-producers S. Carey and Zach Hanson, and it finds the trio continuing to expand Owen’s sonic palette. Along with the delicate acoustic guitars that have populated Owen albums for over 20 years, there are string arrangements, electronics, pedal steel, tubular bells, and one song Mike calls “shoegaze folk” (“Hit and Run”). It’s a big, lush, gorgeous record from what is historically Mike Kinsella’s rawest, scrappiest, most intimate project, and it sounds as honest and natural today as his early records did two decades ago.
For more on this LP, Mike has given us a track-by-track breakdown, and in true Mike Kinsella fashion, it’s a good read that blurs the line between sarcasm and sincerity. Stream The Falls of Sioux, pick up a copy from Polyvinyl, and read on for what he had to say.
Owen is also supporting the album on tour now, with an upcoming Brooklyn show on May 2 at The Sultan Room with Lily Seabird. American Football are also going on an LP1 25th anniversary tour, including Brooklyn shows on October 26 & 27 at Warsaw. Both American Football and Cap’n Jazz also play Las Vegas’ new emo festival Best Friends Forever.
Last year, Mike and his cousin/AF bandmate Nate Kinsella released their debut album as LIES, and you can pick up our exclusive dark blue vinyl variant of that LP.
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TRACK-BY-TRACK BREAKDOWN OF OWEN’S THE FALLS OF SIOUX BY MIKE KINSELLA
“A Reckoning”
I had no idea this would end up being an Ennio Morricone cover until I got into the studio and saw the tubular bells. For the record, Sean [Carey] was vocally opposed…
“Beaucoup”
Who knew Beaucoup could be a proper noun?! Not me! (I don’t speak French)
“Hit and Run”
There’s usually one song on each of my ow(e)n albums that makes me cry and this is the one this time. So in love with all of the strings Russell laid on top of it. Shoegaze Folk.
“Cursed ID”
Paul Simon and Jackson Browne walk into a bar…
“Virtue Misspent”
“Virtue Misspent” is an homage to one of my all-time favorite bands, New Order. The guitar part always sounded to me like a Peter Hook bassline, so I sort of leaned into that in the studio by adding synth strings and plugging the electric guitar straight into the board, etc. The video is an homage to me, having lived a life and having fucked up a lot along the way.
“Mount Cleverest”
Possibly the most fun I’ve ever had layering shit on a song? Every dumb idea seemed to fit. Also my fav bassline I ever wrote / wish I could play it live some time.
“Qui Je Plaisante?”
Ida-inspired. Still haven’t figured out how to play this one and sing it at the same time. Officially near the top of my “to-do” list.
“Penny”
Was really going for a Top Gun soundtrack vibe for the outro on this one, not sure if it quite got there. Also the only song on the album with a “junk beat!” (try squeezing into your Summer Blockbusters.
“With You Without You”
Half hoping U2 sues me for singing *almost* the same words as their obscure B-side song “With Or Without You” in the *exact* same melody. I don’t think Bono has the balls.
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Owen — 2024 Tour Dates
APRIL
29 – Providence, RI @ Alchemy
30 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
MAY
01 – Boston, MA @ Sonia
02 – New York, NY @ Sultan Room
03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Philadelphia Ethical Society – Early Show
03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Philadelphia Ethical Society – Late Show [SOLD OUT]
04 – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
JUNE
03 – Barcelona, ES @ Heliogàbal
08 – London, UK @ Oslo
09 – Leeds, UK@ Brudenell
JULY
24 – San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room
25 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
26 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill
AUGUST
05 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
06 – Seattle, WA @ Madame Lous
22 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
23 – Buffalo, NY @ Ninth Ward
24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
25 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups