Biography
Chi McClean was born and raised in New York before heading out to California in a beat up truck looking for a change. Settling in San Francisco, he began to develop an honest, introspective approach to his songwriting that ultimately formed the building blocks for his debut release, Something Out There.
Chi writes acoustic rock songs marked by a haunting Southern style. Many of his songs take a straightforward look at love, loss, and in the end, opportunity. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, The Black Crowes, Free, The Faces and The Allman Brothers, Chi’s music borrows from the classic tones and song structures that formed the pillars of the 1960’s rock scene while presenting listeners with a contemporary and wholly unique perspective.
Something Out There, Chi’s debut album released in 2009, was recorded in San Francisco at Flying Kitchen and in Sausalito at Studio D by Boone Spooner, mixed in Los Angeles by Kevin Shirley (The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa) at The Document Room, and mastered in New York by Ryan Smith (James Taylor, Joe Bonamassa, O.A.R.) at Sterling Sound. The album is often described as melodic and soulful, drawing on complex guitar riffs, solid drum beats, upright bass playing, gritty B-3 organ, and vintage electric pianos. Since the release of Something Out There, Chi McClean has won a number of songwriting and performance awards for his music and has received critical acclaim from a variety of publications including the San Francisco Chronicle.
Chi is actively playing shows to promote Something Out There and recently gave a live, in-studio performance on the nationally televised CBS program “The Early Show”. In addition, Chi’s music will be featured on Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment system for all national flights starting this fall 2010. In between performances, Chi is currently writing and recording for his second, full-length album, scheduled for release this fall. Listen, watch, and learn more right here at www.chimcclean.com.
Chi is sponsored by Taylor Guitars and Elixir Strings and is a member of The Recording Academy, West Coast Songwriters, and Nashville Songwriters Association International.
