My Favorite Albums of 2010 (so far..)

Caribou "Swim"
This album is a great burst of sun-kissed electronica. The production is lush, and the songs blissfully float along.
Here's the video for "Sun"


The Mynabirds "What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood"
The Mynabirds have released one of the best pop albums of the year. The songs are expertly layered and produced. Laura Burhenn's vocals are heartfelt and soulful. "What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood" has a classic '60s sound, but is rooted in the present by Burhenn's personal lyrics about loss and rebuilding.
Here's the video for "Numbers Don't Lie"


Blair "Die Young"
Blair has created a great indie-pop album. Lyrics hazily emerge like fragmented pieces of dreams. Blair's vocals are passionate and her songs are filled with an honest, simple beauty.
Here she is doing a live version of "Hello Halo."

Blair - Hello Halo

blair | MySpace Music Videos

KC Tour Dates

Check out our new KC Tour Dates widget. It combines tour dates from Pollstar along with music news and updates from the Pitch and BacktoRockville.

Gov't Mule JazzFest Review

I recently reviewed Gov't Mule's set at JazzFest 2010. They are such a great live band. I'm really happy with the way the review turned out. You can read it here: http://www.neworleans.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=386744&catid=396&Itemid=2782
Keep rocking,
McClain

The Revivalists Interview

I recently interviewed The Revivalists, a great, young, New Orleans-based rock band. You can check out in the interview here. To hear more of my podcasts with great New Orleans artists, check out New Orleans Voices. 

Nate Russ Interview

On a rainy day at Tulane, I recently interviewed singer-songwriter Nate Russ. Nate is the lead singer of fun. and was formerly the lead singer-songwriter for The Format. Check the interview out here. 

NewOrleans.com Event Listings

Hey ya'll,
I recent started an event listings column for NewOrleans.com You can check it out here. If you want to know where to see great live music in the Crscent City every week, this is the place to look!

Foburg 2010

I recently coveredthe 2010 Foburg Music Festival. Foburg featured over 90 bands in three days in venues located on and around Frenchmen Street. The festival howcased a wide range of talented independent music from New Orleans and around the country. I had the chance to interview 16 of these excellent acts for InvadeNOLA. I have created a podcast of the interviews (http://foburg2010.podomatic.com/). So far, interviews with Givers, MyNameIsJohnMichael, Flow Tribe, Alexis Marceaux, the Local Skank, the Blue Party, Glasgow, Vox and the Hound, Booty Trove, Pumpkin, Sun Hotel, High in One Eye, Megafauna, Silent Cinema, Andrew Duhon, and the Bellys have been posted. Stay tuned for more interview additions.

New Orleans Voices Benefit for the New Orleans Musician's Relief Fund

New Orleans Voices presents a benefit for the New Orleans Musician's Relief Fund
April 1st at Republic New Orleans.
Tickets: $5
Buy tickets online here
Lineup:
Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives (http://www.billyiuso.com/)
Russell Batiste and Friends (http://www.russellbatiste.com/)
Natalie Mae and Her Unturned Tricks (http://www.myspace.com/nataliemaemusic)
DJ Maddie Ruthless (http://www.myspace.com/maddieruthless)

All sales from ticket proceeds will benefit the NOMRF.

Check out this article on the benefit from www.neworleans.com

Natalie Mae live performance for New Orleans Voices

Songstress and banjo-uke master Natalie Mae recently performed live on my podcast, New Orleans Voices. For more info on Natalie, please check out http://www.myspace.com/nataliemaemusic

"Sick of Seeing You"


"Waiting on You"


"I Don't Know Why"