Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies Set to Debut New Original Tunes at Temple, May 13

Since forming two years ago Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies have kept us covered in every sense of the word, not only playing a multitude of gigs at venues of all types but also showcasing their masterful yet unique takes on swing, soul, jazz, and R&B classics. But soon, the beloved cover band will up their game with an EP full of all original songs. That release won’t be ready until autumn, but fans can get a taste of the band’s fresh upbeat grooves at Temple on May 13, when frontman Steven McKinney and his cohorts debut some of those new tunes as part of the band’s two year anniversary. McKinney tells us more below.

Tell us about the new material you’re working on. 

We have two songs already recorded and mastered, and we go back into the recording studio at the end of June to lay down three more tracks. You’ll have an opportunity to hear some of the songs at the Temple show. Our sound has always been mix of vintage and contemporary. We strive for a classic feel to our originals, whether it’s jazz or swing, and yet you’ll hear things you’ve never heard before. It’s important for our music to be a nice blend between modern and classic.

The first single, “Love’s Warp Speed,” is quite catchy and a lot of fun.
Yeah, “Love’s Warp Speed,” holds a special place in my heart. I wrote the lyrics about a Beijing girl actually, one that turned my universe upside down after we kissed for the first time. I had suffered a broken heart a few years back, thinking my greatest relationship was behind me. I made all these future plans, all these things I wanted to do with my life alone, but then after kissing said girl for the first time, it made me realize that life has a way of altering plans in a good way. Finding new love is a roller coaster of emotions and excitement. “Love’s Warp Speed,” is emblematic of those feelings. Plus, I’m a big science fiction nerd and the lyrics are pure indicator of that [laughs].

Aside from being talented performers, your band is also known for being adept at covering other musicians' songs. So let's think about the flipside, now that you’re working on new material of your own: if you could pick one musician, living or dead, to cover one of your new original songs, who would it be any why?
I’d have to say Elvis Presley. No contest. He’s a legend among legends. He could make anything cool. I actually chuckle at imagining “Love’s Warp Speed,” being sung in Elvis’ all too familiar voice. He is a true Mac Daddy, King of rock 'n’ roll and Mac’n!

You guys are also notoriously sharp dressers. Tell me a bit about your favorite onstage outfits, and how they help you get into a fancy, James Brown-style mindset so that you blow your audiences away.
I’d say our favorite outfit, or at least the one we’re most known for, is our black and whites. On special occasions, the entire band dresses to the nines, decked out in all back and white – black slacks, white shirts, black ties, and so on. I specially take it up a notch, with my white tux jacket, and my black and white wingtip shoes. Formal dress is part of the Mac Daddies’ brand, but you’ll find we’re equally as happy performing in jeans and a T-shirt. We love to dress up, but relaxed clothes have their appeal too.

The Temple show is sure to be fun. But if you could perform at any venue in the world someday, what would it be?
Well, I’m a Louisianan through and through, so you can never go wrong with a dingy blues bar on Bourbon Street! But I’d say The Mac Daddies are best suited for the big time, a big stage for a big band. So for me, it’d have to be Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It’s a classic venue that still holds weight today. I imagine performing there would be a truly amazing experience.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I’d just like to personally thank all our fans for making this second year such an amazing one! All we do is for them! We’d like to thank them for voting us best band in the Beijinger 2016 Bar and Club Awards! And thank them for their continued support, packing out Mac Daddies shows every time. Also, please be on the lookout for the Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies music video of "Love’s Warp Speed," which will be filmed in May and released in the summer.

Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies will debut their new songs at their two year anniversary show at Temple on May 13. Entrance is free, and the show begins at 10pm. For more information, click here.

The band is also looking for volunteers to star in their forthcoming music video at Modernista on May 27. For more information on that, click here.

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photo courtesy of Steven McKinney