PropertyOfZack recently did an interview with Mike Kinsella, aka Owen. Mike and I discussed the delay on Ghost Town, it’s initial reception, touring, and taking a break in the near future for the birth of a new child. Check it all out below!

You began recording Ghost Town in the summer or fall of 2010, but it obviously wasn’t released until a few months ago. Was there a reason for the long recording process?
I started it at a proper studio and stuff, which costs money. I got to a point where there were a bunch of mishaps and mistakes. Nothing was really going right. I’d get a guy to play the piano and the piano wouldn’t be in tune for like three times in a row, but I still had to pay the guy to keep coming. So I sat on it for a while, and I was pretty frustrated and decided to take a break. The break was for seven or eight months. Then I started over with some of the drums and guitars done. I sort of scrapped most of what I initially had.
 
Was that such a frustrating process, especially because of the money?
It was very frustrating. It was frustrating to the point where I would have rather not done it then work on it more. When I finally did go back months later, everything went really smoothly and it was fun. The second half was the easier recording I had ever done. It was pretty easy and fun after it all.
 
It feels like you were somewhat quiet throughout the whole year actually, and then Ghost Town was quietly announced. Was it nice to take some time away?
It was nice. Because it’s just me, it’s really easy to plan ahead. I think I was ready for a break. It made sense. Also, it’s always fun to have something new come out and to play it for people. It inspired me to play a bunch of shows and stuff. I think I’ll take another break after the spring too.
 
Was the writing process for the release different from New Leaves?
It was a little different. I had a lot more free time to just play with the parts and to layer stuff and to figure stuff out ahead of time. I had an idea of how I wanted to flush everything out in the studio, but usually I go in knowing what all the layers are going to be, but I didn’t do that this time. 
 
How has the initial reaction to Ghost Town been compared to New Leaves?
Good, I think. People tell me that it’s different in a way that New Leaves wasn’t. It all sounds pretty similar to me though. It’s been pretty well received though.
 
The album runs for 40 minutes, but it definitely seems shorter than some of your prior releases. Was there a reason for that?
I guess it goes back to not having time to get more songs done. There are one or two songs that I started, but they just didn’t make the album. I’ve never been one of the people who go in with 40 songs. I usually have 11 or 12 and pick the best.
 
The new LP unfortunately leaked a few months. Do you think that took a little steam out of the release?
I never thought  about it. I think Radiohead have big release dates and stuff, but I’m just happy for people to hear it.
 
You played some dates in support of the record throughout November. How were those shows?
I played a few in November and a couple weekends in December. They were good. East coast shows are always good, so I kind of expected those to be fun. I didn’t know what to expect for the Florida shows, but there were enough people there to make it worth while and fun.
 
You did a special release show in Chicago as well. How was that?
I had a couple friends play with me. We did a rock version for fun. I don’t really enjoy playing in Chicago because it’s just a weird place. It’s weird to play a bunch of songs that you personally wrote in front of a bunch of your friends. It was fun to do something different though.
 
You have a few more US dates planned, but then that’s it. Are we going to see more touring announcements?
I don’t think so. I’m expecting a second child in May. So I’m trying to hit all the markets that I can do okay in before then. I don’t think I’m going to have time to go to like St. Louis or Lincoln, Nebraska and just break even. I have to strategically hit the areas where I know people will go to the shows and stuff.
 
With your new child on the way, will Owen be taking a backseat again?
The goal was to get a whole other record done before the baby came, but I’ve been busy doing other things. I’m going to try to finish something up since I can’t really leave. I think I’ll have plenty of time where I’m just stuck around the house. Maybe I’ll get back to demoing and to try to be productive still. 
 
There have been rumors of you starting a project too. Could we see more from that sometime soon?
I just started playing with a couple friends. I’m not sure if I have time to do much more of it. They’ve gotten together a few times, but I’ve met up with them once so far. It was fun though to hit the drums loud and play in a rock band.