Documentary filmmaker Bobby Pitts, of Worth It Films, recently shot a mini doc about my debut festival set at Boulevardia 2019:
Posts Tagged ‘Kansas City’
My Festival Debut at Boulevardia 2019
June 17, 2019
DJ Diehard at Boulevardia 2019 (Photo via Nicole Bissey Photography)
I recently made my festival debut with a two-hour set in the silent disco at Boulevardia 2019.
You can listen to the mix here.
The Naked and Famous “Higher” and “Punching in a Dream” Live at the Midland
November 25, 2016
The Naked and Famous at the Midland, 11/4/16
The Naked and Famous recently smashed Kansas City with an energetic, two-hour set of indie-pop at the Midland. Check out footage I shot of the new single “Higher” and the classic “Punching in a Dream.”
The Happy Clappy Glory of Grouplove
November 16, 2016
Grouplove at the KC Live Block, 10/21/16
Grouplove recently smashed an energetic two-hour set at the KC Live Block. I consider the California-based band to be the “Kings of Happy Clappy” indie rock. They have a special relationship with KC and always bring the heat live. Grouplove’s latest album, Big Mess, is one of my favorite albums of the year. The songs are more intricate and feature more dynamics and texture than some of their earlier material. Live, the new songs meshed well with the older tunes. Check out live footage I shot of the new track “Good Morning” and the classic “Tongue Tied” below:
Bishop Briggs “River” Live at the Midland
November 16, 2016
Bishop Briggs at the Midland, 10/14/16
Bishop Briggs released one of the biggest songs of 2016 with “River.” Live, Bishop really brings the energy and her vocals are passionate. Check out this soulful version of “River” I shot during her recent set at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland.
Interview: GGOOLLDD
November 16, 2016
GGOOLLDD live at the RecordBar, 11/11/16
I recently did a quick live interview with two members of the up-and-coming indie group GGOOLLDD. The Wisconsin-based band played Sound Machine, an event at the RecordBar curated by Kansas City label The Record Machine.
GGOOLLD at the RecordBar, 11/11/16
Check out my interview and the video for “Boyz” below:
A Complete Vision of Silence: Notes From My First Experience with Sensory Deprivation Floating.
July 1, 2016
Floating KC (Image via http://www.floatingkc.com)
A few months ago, I had a dream about floating in a sensory deprivation tank. I told myself if I saw any indicators to do it that I had give it a shot. I felt a really strong pull to attempt floating. The morning after my dream, I opened up Facebook and the first post I read was from a friend of mine that tried a sensory deprivation tank in my neighborhood. Here are some notes about my experience with sensory deprivation at Floating KC.
The session begins with a 15 minute chair massage. The float lasts for an hour.
You are in 10 inches of water with 1,200 pounds of Epsom salts, when you first enter the tank, there are lights and soft music. However, the sounds fade to silence and total darkness. The water is 93 degrees, the same temperature as your skin.
The experience felt like the complete vision of silence. My mind kept repeating that is was the complete vision of silence.
Feeling weightless, any mental weight/stress seems to slip away.
You really meld with the water. Things just seem to blend together. It’s hard to tell where your body ends and the water begins.
Everything seems slow, but the concept of time doesn’t matter.
Floating feels like you’re in zero gravity.
I could really hear my breathing.
The feelings of bliss and euphoria were very joyful. Seriously chill vibes.
It felt like the best, deepest meditation ever.
Floating felt like a really good massage, but for your brain as well.
I moved around the tank. I would push off and my mind told me it would take 1,000 years to get to the other side of the tank.
I stretched lengthwise. My mind told me I was 1,000 feet long.
I saw little flashes of light. They were these quick, golden, flickers of light. “These are excitement bolts,” my mind stated.
My mind thought about how my eyelids were heavy. I visualized a sack of cartoon style eyeballs.
Near the end of the session, a realization come to me. Whatever happens in life, I have to be peaceful about it. No matter what happens, I have to greet it with peace.
The lights came back on, the music started playing and it jolted me back to reality.
Floating in a sensory deprivation tank was an extremely chill experience. Everyone might have different experiences, but I would recommend it.
McClain Approved: Laura Gibson “Two Kids.”
June 30, 2016
Laura Gibson in Kansas City, 6/20/16
Laura Gibson is a passionate songwriter and vocalist. She recently showcased her quality songwriting and glorious voice while opening for David Bazan in Kansas City. Gibson’s solo, acoustic set focused on songs off of Empire Builder, her excellent new album. Once you learn about Laura Gibson, you will have discovered one of the best singer-songwriters in music today. Her take on indie-folk is entrancing.
Laura Gibson in Kansas City, 6/20/16
The jaunty, weird love song “Two Kids” is a great example of Laura Gibson’s appeal. Gibson’s emotive vocals soar over the sparse accompaniment of her acoustic guitar. The song is simple, direct and beautiful.
Here’s a solo, acoustic version of “Two Kids” recorded live at RecordBar:
Myself and the lovely Laura Gibson
Big Gigantic Bring the Saxy Dance Party to the Midland.
April 5, 2016
Big Gigantic at the Midland, 4/2/16
Big Gigantic brought their live electronica jams to the Midland April 2nd. The Colorado-based drums and sax duo represent a fresh take on dance music. Big Gigantic’s sound is a mixture of dubstep, house, hip-hop and jazz. Their instrumentation and sound is a nice change of pace from the standard DJ playing beats. The songs flowed effortlessly and the mix of bass drops and breezy sax lines got the crowd moving.
Big Gigantic at the Midland, 4/2/16
A lot of the set was focused on remixes and covers. Their remix of Major Lazer’s “Wave” was a highlight. It was a quality evening of party music. With their mix of sax and hard driving beats, Big Gigantic kept the crowd fired up and hype all night.
Big Gigantic at the Midland, 4/2/16
An Uncomfortable Question for White Hip Hop Fans.
January 14, 2016
A$AP Ferg (Image via RapDirect.com)
A local music journalist talked to me after A$AP Ferg’s opening set for G-Easy in Kansas City Tuesday night. “You went to school in New Orleans, I’m sure you have an opinion on this, ” he began. “The crowd here is 99 percent white. This might be an uncomfortable question, but how does it make you feel to hear 3,000 white kids shouting back the n-word to a black rapper when it’s in his lyrics?” “Not good,” I responded meekly.
Ferg’s set hit the crowd hard and the trap beats had them going wild. The sold out audience on this night was mostly young white kids, between the ages of 13 and 19. The nasty, excellent track “Shabba” completely smashed 3,000 people at the Midland. They loved every raunchy second and rapped along with each line.
A$AP Ferg Crowd, at the Midland, 1/12/16
I hope the kids learn someday. As a fan, you have to make the conscious choice. The question might be rough, but the answer is simple. Even in the sometimes trashy world of hip hop, as a fan and audience member, it is all about respect.
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