Kinsella's first musical project was serving as drummer for the band Cap'n Jazz, which he co-founded with his brother Tim.

[3] Cap'n Jazz originally featured their local high school star running back on drums.

When he quit to focus on football, a 12-year-old Mike Kinsella learned how to play a 16-piece drum set.

[4] With either Tim and/or cousin Nate Kinsella, he has also participated in the projects Owls and Joan of Arc.

In 2001, Kinsella began his current solo project, Owen, in which he performs vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, loops, etc.