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Kirin J Callinan

Kirin J Callinan

Kieran John Callinan (born 21 January 1986), known by his stage name Kirin J. Callinan, is an Australian singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is also a founding member of Mercy Arms and has played with the Night Game, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders, Mark Ronson and Genesis Owusu.Referred to as the enfant terrible of Australia's underground rock music scene, Callinan is known for his flamboyant public persona, confrontational live shows, and diverse musical output in which, according to Spin, "the distinctions between talent, irony, and genuine bad taste bleed together until they’re indistinguishable." Callinan said that his primary motivation as a musician is to "excite and confuse, ... But you can't do that for any length of time without having sincerity."Callinan has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Mark Ronson, Jimmy Barnes, James Chance, Alex Cameron, Connan Mockasin, Caroline Polachek, Weyes Blood, Pond, Mac Demarco, Hubert Lenoir, Julian Casablancas, Genesis Owusu, whistler Molly Lewis and brothers Neil and Tim Finn. Barnes, Cameron and Lewis feature in Callinan's 2017 single "Big Enough"; Barnes' distinctive screaming cameo became an internet meme.

Albums

2008 Am I A Women, Yet?
2013 Embracism
2017 Bravado
2019 Return to Center
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Latest Articles

Reviews / Album
Album Review: Kirin J Callinan - Bravado
"You can't fool us, KJC - you're an artist, even when appearing to take the piss."
Features / Music
How Changing Perspectives Reignited Kirin J Callinan's Motivation
"I was able to flick a switch and love all the things I hated about it and see it for what it was."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Crowded House, Kirin J Callinan
"Why can’t we do this every week?"
News / Music
VISIONS Festival Announces Second Line-Up For Vivid Sydney
VISIONS showcase exciting local acts who push the boundaries in everything electronic and alternative.
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Ratatat, Kirin J Callinan, The Community Chest
"Synchronised clips of lions, pigeons, fireworks and marble bust melted and rotated into psychedelic Mandelbrot visualisations..."
News / Music
Vivid Sydney's Visions Festival Announces Line-Up For 2016
Big names join the bill.
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Ratatat, Kirin J Callinan, Frikstailers
"Accompanying the stellar lights... was a series of psychedelic video projections, ranging from fruit being exploded to collages of digital birds."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Koi Child, Kirin J Callinan, Winston Surfshirt, Benjamin Witt
"'We're here to fuckin' party. We're here to get crunk,' came the cry from frontman Patterson and they did not disappoint."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Arthur Russell's Instrumentals
"The current reworking of Instrumentals still managed to employ the characteristic energy and dark undertones that are considered commonplace within Russell's music."
News / Music
Mac Demarco, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Plan Huge Last-Minute Perth Show
"Fuck you fire, we are playing a rock and roll show anyway – you can’t stop the music!"
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Mac DeMarco, Kirin J Callinan, GUM
"It's only the first week of January and we may already have the show of the year."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: TV On The Radio, Kirin J Callinan
"The vitality of TVOTR’s live performances never disappoints, their powerful sound invigorating and having enthusiastic fans cheering for more."