The Juan MacLean @ Bar Smith

There's a rumor that East Coast electronica artist The Juan MacLean is reportedly more machine than man. Though it might just be shtick (or one of those kooky musician affectations), there is ample proof to support the idea that the 40-something is an automaton: album titles like Der Half-Machine and...

By Benjamin Leatherman

December 1, 2011

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There's a rumor that East Coast electronica artist The Juan MacLean is reportedly more machine than man. Though it might just be shtick (or one of those kooky musician affectations), there is ample proof to support the idea that the 40-something is an automaton: album titles like Der Half-Machine and Less Than Human, the ease with which he interacts with sound-generating devices to create his robotic-like electro-house and dance-punk tracks, and the fact that his lengthy career has lasted longer than many other music-making mortals. MacLean's been online since the late '80s, when he created punishingly relentless guitar work for synth-punk act Six Finger Satellite. He eventually upgraded his programming and became an electronica artist in 2006, signing with influential label DFA Records. MacLean's also got serious skills as a house selecta hardwired into his hard drive (as evidenced by his DJ-Kicks compilation last year) which he'll demonstrate during his appearance at Bar Smith, 130 East Washington Street, on Friday, December 2, during the weekly edition of Sticky Fingers. Doors open at 9 p.m. and admission is $10. Visit www.ticketweb.com.

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Benjamin Leatherman is a staff writer for Phoenix New Times where he focuses primarily on arts, culture, music, and nightlife. He began writing for New Times in 2003 and joined the staff full-time in 2005. Prior to that, he contributed to magazines such as Tips & Tricks and The Wrestler. Benjamin has earned multiple awards from the Arizona Press Club including an award for sports enterprise reporting in 2009 and an award for statewide arts reporting in 2014. He holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Contact: Benjamin Leatherman

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