Mac McCaughan (Solo)

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The 2012 Line-up

Playing

Thursday Feb 23 7:00 PM on Swedish American Hall

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If the name Mac McCaughan doesn’t immediately ring any bells, consider sitting down to take in this lesson in indie rock 101. McCaughan started playing music late in the ‘80s and formed a little group in Chapel Hill, NC, called Superchunk. As the front man and primary songwriter, McCaughan’s intensely passionate vocals lead the way for an early indie punk conglomeration that saw early success in the wake of Nirvana’s breakthrough.

Originally signed to Matador Records, McCaughan and Superchunk were soon defining the new underground alternative sound, and leading the scene when label disputes put their future in jeopardy. Rather than fight about it, McCaughan and bandmate Laura Ballance, simply started their own label, Merge Records. Today, Merge is as synonymous with indie cred as any singular label can be, and it all stemmed from Superchunk’s continued influence and McCaughan’s inspired support of acts like Neutral Milk Hotel.

Sometime in the ‘90s, as McCuaghan was blasting out powerhouse indie rock, he also began flirting with lo-fi bedroom recordings. These intimately simple songs remained a personal project for years until Superchunk went on hiatus at the turn of the decade. Soon, these projects became McCaughan’s focus, and the delicately introspective outfit Portastatic was born. It was here that McCaughan’s earnest and amiable songwriting took a mature and melodic turn. By stripping away the electric edge of his earlier material, McCaughan embraced the softer side of his exuberant and boisterous nature, and cemented his reputation as a leading voice in the indie realm. Never one for slowing down, McCaughan has recently worked with Superchunk again after a near decade hiatus, while still producing Portastatic material and running an independent rock institution with Merge Records. Appearing solo at the Swedish American Hall, McCaughan’s accessible and well worn smile is sure to light up the intimate setting.

CHARLIE SWANSON

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