After 25 years of slinging out countless classic indie rock cuts as part of Superchunk and Portatastic, North Carolina songwriter Mac McCaughan has revealed plans to release his first solo album under his birth name.
The veteran indie artist's upcoming Non-Believers will be issued this spring, with the album landing through his own Merge Records on May 5.
The collection is said to mine the sounds of early '80s post-punk and new wave, with the album touching on themes of isolation, growth, and the overall awkwardness of youth. McCaughan said in a statement that the record is about "the irony that comes with being 16 and having a car but not knowing where to go in it, or having a keyboard or a guitar and not knowing how to play it."
He added: "What appeals to me is songs that deal with the messiness and ambiguity that come with any transitional period."
The release will be preceded by a 7-inch showcasing the album's "Box Batteries." Press info suggests the vinyl single, due April 7, will feature a slightly different version of the song than that which will appear on Non-Believers.
Described as the "most rocking" selection from the LP, this version of the song features "a pounding Farfisa, various types of distortion, and a tireless drum machine." Thematically, the single is about "making sure you have the power to listen to your homemade cassettes in even the most remote locations." An exclusive cut called "Whatever Light" fills the B-side.
While we wait for more details on Non-Believers, you can check out a quick trailer for the record. You'll find the tease, full of nature footage and chorus effect-laden guitar work, down below.
Tour dates:
04/17-19 Winston-Salem, NC - Phuzz Phest
05/07 Washington, DC - Black Cat Backstage *
05/08 Richmond, VA - Strange Matter *
05/09 Wilmington, NC - Bourgie Nights *^
05/15 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts *
05/16 Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right *
05/21 Atlanta, GA - 529 Club *
05/22 Asheville, NC - The Mothlight *
05/23 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle Backroom *
* with Flesh Wounds
^ with the Love Language
The veteran indie artist's upcoming Non-Believers will be issued this spring, with the album landing through his own Merge Records on May 5.
The collection is said to mine the sounds of early '80s post-punk and new wave, with the album touching on themes of isolation, growth, and the overall awkwardness of youth. McCaughan said in a statement that the record is about "the irony that comes with being 16 and having a car but not knowing where to go in it, or having a keyboard or a guitar and not knowing how to play it."
He added: "What appeals to me is songs that deal with the messiness and ambiguity that come with any transitional period."
The release will be preceded by a 7-inch showcasing the album's "Box Batteries." Press info suggests the vinyl single, due April 7, will feature a slightly different version of the song than that which will appear on Non-Believers.
Described as the "most rocking" selection from the LP, this version of the song features "a pounding Farfisa, various types of distortion, and a tireless drum machine." Thematically, the single is about "making sure you have the power to listen to your homemade cassettes in even the most remote locations." An exclusive cut called "Whatever Light" fills the B-side.
While we wait for more details on Non-Believers, you can check out a quick trailer for the record. You'll find the tease, full of nature footage and chorus effect-laden guitar work, down below.
Tour dates:
04/17-19 Winston-Salem, NC - Phuzz Phest
05/07 Washington, DC - Black Cat Backstage *
05/08 Richmond, VA - Strange Matter *
05/09 Wilmington, NC - Bourgie Nights *^
05/15 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts *
05/16 Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right *
05/21 Atlanta, GA - 529 Club *
05/22 Asheville, NC - The Mothlight *
05/23 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle Backroom *
* with Flesh Wounds
^ with the Love Language
