June 2012 Mixtape

https://www.yousendit.com/download/QlVpb3BPYStGR0ZnRXNUQw
The June mixtape is out.
Tracklist:
The Word "Joyful Sounds"
The Drive-By Truckers "A Ghost to Most" (Live)
The Bellys "Want Me"
The Radiators "River Run"
Caribou "Odessa"
Delay Trees "Gold"
Emika "Double Edge" (Radio Edit)
Future Of What "I Wait For You"
Miles Davis "Bitches Brew" (Live)
New York Dolls "Personality Crisis"
Tanlines "Brothers"

May 2012 Mixtape

As summer comes upon us, here are some of my favorite 'summer-y' tunes. Some are funky, some are epic, some are strange as heck. Download it here.

Tracklist:
Caribou "Bowls"
Quintron and Miss Pussycat "Chatterbox"
Kraftwerk "Computer Love"
Roy Ayers "Everybody Loves the Sunshine"
Rebirth Brass Band "Feel Like Funkin' It Up" (Live)
Wilco "Handshake Drugs" (Live)
Alabama Shakes "Hold On"
Dum Dum Girls "It Only Takes One Night"
Dr. John "Quitters Never Win"
Stanley Clarke "School Days"

SXSW 2012 Coverage

Hey y'all,

Here is all of my SXSW 2012 coverage, chronicling my descent into indie rock madness.

Interviews:
Dirty Ghosts
Ambassadors
Sleepy Sun
Fruition
FSTZ
We Are Voices
Jonquil
Quiet Corral
The Polyphonic Spree
Freelance Whales
Here We Go Magic
Just A Band
BeatauCue

Recaps:
First Day in Austin/Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Jambase Recap

McClain's SXSW 2012 Mixtape

I'm proud to finally present McClain's SXSW 2012 Mixtape. It features some of my favorite bands/tracks I heard at SXSW 2012. Download it here.
Caddywhompus "This Is Where We Blaze the Nuggz"
The Revivalists "When I'm Able"
The Mynabirds "Let the Record Go"
MyNameIsJohnMichael "Misery Runs"
Grimes "Oblivion"
Teengirl Fantasy "Dancing in Slow Motion"
Diplo featuring Nicky Da B "Express Yourself"
Dirty Ghosts "Ropes That Way"
Laura Gibson "This Is Not the End"
MMOTHS "THNX"
Youth Lagoon "Cannons"

Underworld "Back to Mine"

The recent passing of poet Gil Scott-Heron made me think of the album that introduced me to him. Heron was an original voice who expressed his views with humor and clarity.

In 2003, my favorite band, Underworld, released an album in the Back to Mine series. I bought the album on CD the week it came out. The reason I love this compilation is that it represents the staggering range of music that influences Underworld. It's like Rick and Karl made you a mixtape of some of their favorite tracks. The album also introduced me to reggae legends Toots & The Maytals. The half-mixed album is strange, oddball, haphazard, and wonderful. Much like Underworld, it transcends genre categorization. It is something that could have only come from the minds (and record collections) of Underworld. The tracklist speaks for itself.
01 - Gil Scott-Heron - 'B' Movie
02 - TLC - Creep
03 - Dr. Octagon - Bear Witness
04 - CJ Bolland - Horsepower
05 - Remy & Sven - Piano Power
06 - LFO Versus F.U.S.E. - Loop
07 - Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 (That's My Number)
08 - LTJ Bukem - Music
09 - Depeche Mode - Barrel Of A Gun
10 - Aphex Twin - Didgeridoo
11 - Dead Prez - Hip-Hop
12 - Ali Farka Toure - Machengoidi
13 - Tartit - Buloululba (Couldn't find this one anywhere)
14 - D'Angelo - Brown Sugar
15 - Gregory Isaacs - Public Eyes

New Interviews

Hey all,
I have recently added a few interviews to the site. NOLA garage rock legend Quintron, jazz great Terence Blanchard, and actor Harry Shearer are the newest additions. Upcoming interviews that will be posted in the coming weeks include keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and Widespread Panic archivist Horace Moore. Thanks for supporting the site. Looking forward to sharing some new interviews with you!
Best,
McClain Johnson
http://www.mcclainjohnson.com

Blair Interview Featured in InvadeNOLA Book.

My interview with singer-songwriter Blair is being featured in the InvadeNOLA book, "Once Upon an Ever After." The book can be ordered here.