Owen (Mike Kinsella) has released two new singles from his forthcoming album, The Falls of Sioux, due out April 26th via Polyvinyl Record Co. “Virtue Misspent” and “Hit and Run” are out today, the former paired with its own music video directed by Alec Basse and Max More. Listen to both songs and get a taste of the Sean Carey (Bon Iver) and Zach Hanson (Bon Iver, Low, Waxahatchee) co-produced album now below.
“‘Virtue Misspent’ is an homage to one of my all-time favorite bands, New Order,” shares Kinsella. “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.” “Hit and Run” for its part, may be the most personally affecting for the artist, “There’s usually one song on each of my ow(e)n albums that makes me cry,” he shares, “and this is the one this time.”
In addition to Kinsella’s shows this year with American Football for the band’s 24th anniversary of LP1, and a gig with Cap’N Jazz at Best Friends Forever fest, he will tour as Owen this spring and summer, playing these songs and more from The Falls of Sioux. A full list of upcoming Owen dates can be found below.
Music video directors Basse and Moore aimed to emulate their own visceral reaction upon hearing “Virtue Misspent”. “Listening to the song feels like that last look at your past and the roller coaster of emotions that can follow. A taste of the universal nostalgia that we all experience,” share the directors. “To visualize that emotion, we aimed to recreate the adventures of our own youth. An amalgamation of all of the fond memories and perfect days experienced in the Midwest. A bit of boyhood wonder, a little rebellion, and a touch of genuine friendship. To capture these illusions we basically just let the boys play. We created these scenarios and then told them to let loose, have fun. Luckily the boys were excellent and we ended up with something that we think resonates and feels honest.”
Upcoming Tour Dates:
APRIL
25 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
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