Alive.

Kinsemo: a form of post-hardcore music created by Chicago's Kinsella brothers - Tim and Mike, namely. This music takes form as many different outfits: Cap'n Jazz, Owls, Owen, American Football, Tim Kinsellas, Make Believe, Joan of Arc, etc. Bands such as Noyes, The Promise Ring and other outfits that include former Kinsella contributors are deemed 'Kinsemo by association.'

Now that we have the education portion of this blog out of the way, let's talk about Victor Villarreal. Victor was the guitarist in Cap'n Jazz and Owls who made a single EP under the name Noyes before literally disappearing. Nobody knew where the hell this guy went; all they knew is that he was a heroin addict and wherever he was he was probably up to no good. This is a shame for any person but in the case of Victor, a guitarist that has been massively influential on countless players and bands, it was particularly worrying. Would we ever hear from him again?

Well, it took seven long years but the answer is a resounding yes. Victor is back, clean, and brandishing an acoustic guitar and singing in a solo project done under his own name. This came out earlier this year and I'm really kicking myself for not discovering it sooner. Rumour around the Internets was that he was gearing up for a new Noyes release, but it looks like this is what eventuated instead. And if we get more Noyes and I'm wrong, I'll be nothing but happy about it.

This album shows off a different side to Victor than we're used to hearing. From past output we expect him to be playing along, lending his talents to a bigger whole and letting his fingers do all the talking. This time around he's playing and singing, and while he doesn't go as crazy with the former as he used to, these being simpler songs - he puts forth a good amount of noodling for all the guitar nerds but keeps the focus on playing and singing sincere and honest music. Much of the album is about the passing of his brother, and some of the proceeds from sales are being donated to Mission USA Prison Ministries in his memory, so if you dig this one, getting your hands on a physical copy would be the thing to do, which you can do here.

Here's a video of Victor playing one of the songs on the record, and hard proof that he's still got it.



Victor Villarreal - Alive (V0-VBR MP3)