Archive for the ‘Kansas City’ Category

Warpaint “New Song” Live at the Midland

December 22, 2016
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Warpaint at the Midland, 12/17/16

Warpaint recently brought their psychedelic indie rock vibes to the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. The LA-based band are past interview subjects of mine and are one of my favorite bands. The band’s latest album, Heads Up, is one of 2016’s best. The album has gotten the band commercial radio play and reach a larger audience. Watch Warpant groove on “New Song.”

Marian Hill “One Time” Live at the Midland

December 21, 2016
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Marian Hill live at the Midland, 12/15/16

Marian Hill showcased their jazz-laced indie grooves in their recent set at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. Check out this soulful version of their hit song “One Time” that I recorded live on 12/15/16.

Local Natives “Airplanes” “Wide Eyes” and “Fountain of Youth” Live at the Midland

December 21, 2016
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Local Natives at the Midland, 12/17/16

California-based indie band Local Natives recently smashed the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland with their final set of 2016. Their album, Sunlit Youth, is my favorite album of 2016. Check out these live videos I shot of “Airplanes,” “Wide Eyes” and one of my favorite songs of the year “Fountain of Youth.”

People That Made Their Facebook Live Debuts With Me in 2016

December 14, 2016

I had the honor of going live with many great musicians and friends in their debut Facebook Live interviews this year.

Here’s a chat with Australian producer Roland Tings.

Two members of the Milwaukee-based electronic pop/dream pop band GGOOLLDD stopped by for an interview.

Hank Weidel, drummer for Kansas City-based band Captiva, stopped by for an interview after their set at X1051‘s Bye Week Brew Fest. This interview also features a guest appearance by the legendary Alfred Whitaker.

I interviewed Austin-based musician Walker Lukens for X1051 after his set at the Riot Room.

Rachel Mallin (of Rachel Mallin and the Wild Type and Jaenki) was the most frequent guest of the year. She has appeared four times this year on my Facebook Live.

We talked about Degenerate Matters at her EP release show

We had a chat about my favorite song of the year, “White Girls.”

I chatted it up with Rachel and famed blogger Sam Kali after her Midland debut.

I met up with Rachel, Stephen and Joanna Snow and the enigmatic Westport Panda during a set break at the Riot Room.

Fashion designer Nicole Leth (owner of Sex and Ice Cream) gave an interview and a tour of her shop.

Aaron Braun chatted with me during the Umphrey’s McGee show at CrossroadsKC.

It was over 100 degrees out at the Chipotle Cultivate Festival in Kansas City this year. Paul Bragg and cocktail maven Margot Anna Thompson. We had to give the rundown on the indie rock vibes and learn about quality margarita crafting.

A chat with funk fiends Macy and Gabe Engelbert about the origins of their funk and their love of Lettuce.

I hit up Art Alley with the former rave queen/indie rock beast Jami Halverson.

A chat with Matthew Arnold and Krystal Nies at the Liberty Memorial.

I met up with David Cecil Blattner of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to discuss a few of the modern art pieces in the collection.

I sat down with Joe Hammers and Gabrielle Favreau for an impromptu interview at YJ’s Snack Bar about Burning Man.

I had a chat with comedian Chloe Pelletier to discuss her favorite joke and the impact of Huntington’s disease.

Emmaline Twist singer and guitarist Meredith McGrade stopped by for an interview after their set at RecordBar.

Kansas City-based indie rockers Golden Groves sat down for an interview before their set at the Riot Room.

I met up with Tom Camden while he was selling merch at the sold out marshmello show at the Midland.

A big thank you to everyone that sat down for chats with me this year! So much beasting!

Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type “Wait For It” Live at the RecordBar

December 12, 2016
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Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type live at the RecordBar, 12/10/16

Kansas City-based band Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type recently rocked their set at the Noise FM‘s Noise For Toys benefit for Toys for Tots at the RecordBar. Check out this live version I shot of new track “Wait For It.”

 

McClainJohnson.com Presents Moody J’s “Beast It” Mini Mix

December 6, 2016
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Moody J (Photo via Calvin Hoeun https://www.facebook.com/KCSHOOTER/)

I wanted to launch a series of mini mixes and Moody J (aka Josh Coleman) was the clear first choice. He put on one of the best DJ sets I saw this summer. Moody J’s track selection, fusion of different styles of dance music and mixing are top quality. He is a member of the Kansas City-based collective Underground Frequencies. It’s a great honor to present Moody J’s “Beast It” mini mix.

Fixed On You – Hotel Garuda (Taiki Nulight Remix)

Mercury – Jack Beats

Open Your Mind – Volac

Codeine Dreams – BIJOU

Fire – Cazztek & Asdek 

Joe Dirty – Worthy

Finesse – Dillon Nathaniel & Toasty Ray

The Fray “How to Save a Life” Live at the Kansas City Live Block

December 4, 2016
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The Fray at the Kansas City Live Block, 12/2/16

The Fray recently played a smooth set of tunes at the Kansas City Live Block. Check out the live video I shot of their classic song “How to Save a Life.”

 

Interview: Walker Lukens

December 2, 2016
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Walker Lukens at the Riot Room, 11/30/16

Walker Lukens recently hit KC for a show presented by X1051 at the Riot Room. I sat down with Walker to discuss how he became interested in music, his approach to songwriting and the creation of “Lifted.”

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McClain and Walker Lukens

Walker Lukens “Lifted” and “Never Understood” Live at the Riot Room

December 2, 2016
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Walker Lukens at the Riot Room, 11/30/16

Walker Lukens and the Side Arms recently delivered a funky and soulful set of indie rock at the Riot Room for a neXtNOW show presented by X1051. Check out the live videos I shot of “Lifted” and “Never Understood.”

The Greeting Committee “By Your Side” “I Don’t Mind” and “Hands Down” Acoustic at Normal Human Pop-Up

November 27, 2016
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The Greeting Committee at Normal Human Pop-Up, 11/26/16

The Greeting Committee recently performed an acoustic set at a pop-up shop for Normal Human. The Kansas City-based band are past interview subjects of mine and one of my favorite bands. The set featured the first acoustic version of “By Your Side” in two years. Check out these acoustic versions of “By Your Side” “I Don’t Mind” and “Hands Down.”