Mac McCaughan

Mac has been on a tear. His label, Merge, is a major player without being a major, bringing Arcade Fire, She & Him and Spoon to massive success. His veteran band, Superchunk, returned after a decade's rest with arguably their two greatest records. Now, he's shedding his Portastatic monicker and touring his first eponymous solo album, Non-Believers. As with Portastatic, the mood is mellower and more keyboard-driven, though "Box Batteries" whips up his ageless power-pop storm. Support your indie heroes.