Interviews: Tim Kinsella

For the past decade or so, Tim Kinsella has challenged the conventions, trends, and occasionally even the patience of his audience with the numerous projects he's been involved with- Cap'n Jazz, Owls, Friend/Enemy, Joan Of Arc, and, most recently, Make Believe. While most of Kinsella's work is typically hit-or-miss fare, Make Believe seems to have accrued a new sense of focus and direction for the singer. The group is described as "Owls without drug problems, Friend/Enemy with a consistent lineup and a practice schedule" and its press release even details a 7-point improvement plan:

1. Would be a live band--all songs written as a band playing live.
2. No-one was getting in unless they were down for the long haul--maintain a consistent lineup
3. Practice every day--well over 40 hours a week--if they're lucky enough to get away with living outside of the dominant culture as much as they are, they would work hard to maintan and justify such a privilege.
4. No effect pedals
5. No over-dubs
6. Songs would have to speak for the collective not the individual singer
7. Sound palette limited to classic rock band lineup to force new approaches to cliched shapes