We could call her the latest little white girl with the big voice, conjuring up images of the Christina's and Joss Stone's of current pop culture. Yet, with McClain Sullivan, a singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York, we'll leave the comparisons to those who can't taste the obvious individuality Ms. Sullivan is serving. Similarities can be flattering, but don't begin to serve her the justice she rightly deserves as a bona fide super talent, about to shake the musical community to the bone. Her unique, raw vocals and gifted song writing ability come as naturally to this Seattle native, as her charming personality, and powerful stage presence.

 

Upon meeting McClain through mutual friends years ago, her relentless humor had me hooked. As she explored the states, living in Vermont, Boston, Austin, and North Carolina, I'd hear hilarious updates through the grape-vine on her current break-up or newest move, and yet her musical journey remained steady. Before making the break into exploring a solo career, McClain sang as the front woman in the North-Carolina based, hip-hop ensemble Organix, and in the past few years, has been the female presence in popular underground hip-hop duo, Fuzz and Mac, collaborating with Fuzz Jackson, who were blessed enough to open for The Roots, Talib Kweli and Souls of Mischief. Now ready to blossom in the spotlight on her own, McClain's adventures in love have given her plenty of ammo to produce songs of heart break that are both inspiring and relatable to anyone who's loved deeply, and been burned. In McClain's case, I suspect she's more of the heartbreaker, but one who feels the full spectrum of loss in love, more perhaps, than the poor bloke who's heart she's breaking.

Currently working with Westbay Recordings, headed by producer Nathan Hayes and based in Los Angeles, McClain's EP, My Machine, is now available on itunes, as she works on her first full length, solo album. Brooklyn's nurturing creative vibe is sure to continue pushing McClain's internal process into the public via her music, and in the meantime, fans can listen to her EP on repeat, as it's definitely a set of music that gets better the more you listen to it, which is saying something, since it's already contagious on the first run-through. Her fearlessness in exploring all levels of love, including the dark crevices many of us would rather avoid, add to the appeal of the tracks on My Machine, and create a well-rounded, vulnerable package that requires a continuous unwrapping on the part of the listener. We caught up with McClain recently to get some insight, on the insides of an artist we'll be the first to say you've got to add to your playlist asap. Check out the interview below and see why you better step your health game up if you want to date her, and why Love never really goes out of style with McClain, as it's always got something to give.

 

 

Words and Interview by: Leah Nicole Tisdale


How'd you get your musical start ? Any formal training ?

I actually started humming full melodies before I started to speak. The first song I wrote was "The Girl Cheese Blues" while I was in my car seat. My parents took it as a sign and threw me into voice lessons. From there, I joined a classical choir and went on to Gospel and Jazz. I also went to New York City's, New School Univeristy's Jazz program for a couple years. Then ended up playing in a couple groups in the city.

Tell us about Fuzz and Mac, the hip hop duo consisting of you and MC Fuzz... How'd y'all hook up ?

Fuzz and I used to be in a live hip hop band in Wilmington, NC. We had been recording on the side, when I came down for a visit to record a solo EP, and we realized we had started a band without even knowing it. It was perfect. We opened for The Roots, which was an amazing experience. Fuzz booked the show on his own and we had just finished the EP. He decided to turn it into a Fuzz and Mac show. The rest was history. Since then we've played on the East and West Coast, and have gotten to open for Souls of Mischief, Talib Kweli, and even got to do The Roots a second time.


Do you write your own music ? Play any instruments ? Write when you're happy, sad, inspired ?

Heck yes I do. I've been playing guitar since I was a kid and writing music has always been my passion. Every time I go through a hard time, I always say "at least I'll get a good song out of it". Who doesn't love a good song about heart break. It's a little easier to write when you're sad. You are naturally more vulnerable, but you can always draw from all of your experiences. My EP was written about my past, and it does have a happy song...so there.


Tell us about the title of your album, My Machine, and the process of making/producing the album ?

My Machine is a piece of work that started a couple of years ago. I had two of the songs, and then Atlantic Connection (producer) and I decided that we had something together, and that we wanted to showcase all of our different styles, but keep a common thread.


Who/what inspires you musically today ?

A lot of the old jazz singers would have to be my main influence, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, and Nina Simone. Then you find a current singer like Adele or Bon Iver, who just blow your socks off.


What's an average day in the life of McClain Sullivan ?

{laughs} This is the first time I've ever been asked this question. I'm an insomniac, so that lends itself to sleeping in late, and late night writing sessions.
The rest of the day is filled with frolicking through fields, crocheting large napkins, and working on my six pack.


What does a boy need to do to get your attention ? And keep your attention ?

Let me unroll my checklist...just kidding. I fall for the unexpected. My girlfriends always make fun of me since there seems to be no rhyme or reason to my dating.


{Laughs} Hear that boys! You gotta be fast! How about your plans/tours for 2010 ?

Fuzz and Mac is going on tour in April, and I will be playing the Northeast and California during the summer. Touring is definitely my favorite thing to do.


Where would you love to be 5 years from now ?

I would love to be recording and touring with a couple of albums in my wake.


Give us 3 artists you'd die to work with ?

Questlove, Ani Difranco, and Adele.


A line from Fuzz's free-style on the track "My Heart" says "My music is my world, my heart and my soul." What's you favorite part of the musical process ?

I honestly don't have any favorite parts of the process. I love it when an idea starts to come to life and you tell a story. I love it when you are on stage, and you get this rush that can't be compared to anything else. And I love it when I finish a song, and get to lay on the studio couch and listen to it in it's fullness.


"Seems my lessons before never sink in"- My Machine. I'm sure many women can relate to this in regards to relationships. How much do love relationships play a part in your musical journey?

{laughs} It's a huge part. I always get the question "Who is that song about?" Let me just say, this question never ends well.

Name your Dream Tour with your Dream opening act (opening for you, of course!)

Hmmm...I would love to do a European Tour with Chromeo. Yes, I said it. Chromeo.

 

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