Episode 32: Mac McCaughan – Superchunk, Portastatic, Merge Records

Superchunk. Credit: Supplied

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If you’re someone with a fondness for indie music, then the chances are good that your life has been touched in some way by Mac McCaughan.

On one hand, he’s known as the vocalist for the likes of North Carolina band Superchunk, whose very output feels like the blueprint for any aspiring indie rock band of the ‘90s. Then, he’s been the head of groups like Portastatic, and played in the likes of Bricks, Seam, Go Back Snowball, and much, much more.

However, if none of those names seem familiar, then you might know Mac because of his role as a co-founder of the great Merge Records alongside Superchunk bandmate Laura Ballance.

Together, they helped make Merge into one of the greatest record labels to have ever existed. I can’t even begin to tell you how many iconic bands are part of the Merge stable. 

Arcade Fire, Caribou, Lambchop, The Magnetic Fields, the Mountain Goats, Spoon, Sugar, Archers Of Loaf, and the great Neutral Milk Hotel. I'm not even scratching the surface here, by the way. 

In fact, one of the greatest live experiences I've ever had was a Merge records lineup, when M. Ward and Superchunk performed in Melbourne in support of Neutral Milk Hotel. I'll never forget that night as long as I live.

On that topic though, this December sees Superchunk returning to Australia for the first time since that aforementioned tour back in 2013, and celebrating 30 years of the Foolish album. Since that last tour, they’ve released records like What A Time To Be Alive, and Wild Loneliness, and needless to say, fans like me couldn't be more excited to see them on our shores again.

If you can’t tell, the wonderful Mac McCaughan is my guest this week, and I’m immensely grateful to be able to say that sentence.

Anyway, check out Superchunk’s Wild Loneliness as a reminder of their recent efforts (then check out their wider discography), grab a ticket to catch them live, and once you’re done, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Mac McCaughan’s Trusty Chords

Mac’s One Influential Artist

  1. Ian MacKaye/Minor Threat

Mac’s Three Impactful Albums

  1. New Order – Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)

  2. The Go-Betweens – 16 Lovers Lane (1988)

  3. Jackie Mittoo – The Keyboard King At Studio One (2000)

Mac’s Five Trusty Songs

  1. The Clean – 'Point That Thing Somewhere Else' (1981)

  2. David Bowie – 'Teenage Wildlife' (1980)

  3. Cocteau Twins – 'Lorelei' (1984)

  4. Irma Thomas – 'In Between Tears' (1973)

  5. Bruce Springsteen – 'The Ties That Bind' (1980)

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Episode 33: Jamie Hutchings – Bluebottle Kiss, Infinity Broke

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Episode 31: Dave McCormack – Custard, The Titanics, The Polaroids