Stevie Mac's New Band Easy Street Rises from Mac Daddies' Ashes

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When Stevie Mac founded his band Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies in Beijing in 2015, the American expat and Louisiana native had never imagined the group would garner such a massive following.

However, Covid proved to be a game-changer, forcing Stevie to make the difficult decision to disband his beloved group. Fans were understandably disheartened by the news, but Stevie's passion for music remained unshaken and Stevie has since founded a brand new band called Easy Street.

This talented group consists of six members: Stevie Mac, Taylor Hartwell, Christian Tiao, Taylor Joseph Kelly (aka T. Kelly), Timothy Chen, and Barry Allen, and guarantees a refreshing and distinct departure from the Mac Daddies' signature style.

Each member of the band at Easy Street contributes their own unique element to create a harmonious sound

If the name is anything to go by, the music the band aims for is meant to be effortlessly enjoyable. According to Mac, the goal was to create a group that could produce "songs that you can hear from the radio, songs that you can dance to and sing along to." While their music is upbeat, it's not overly energetic like "jumping up and down stuff like uptown funk." Instead, they draw inspiration from a range of artists, including Justin Timberlake, Matchbox 20, The Killers, Toto, and even Adele.

Easy Street performs 'Country Roads' with heart and soul

“Yes, we can perform Adele’s songs. You’d be surprised because we have some guys who can actually sing really high notes. Christian, who has an impressive range and masters the guitar beautifully, is our high singer. He handles the high notes with ease, while I add depth to the music with my lower range" says Mac.

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Timothy Chen, originally from Beijing, plays bass for Easy Street. "I previously played with Stevie and the Mac Daddies, which is where we first met" Chen explains. I believe that a significant distinction between the two groups is that Easy Street offers greater freedom in choosing our songs, and we have a more enjoyable experience."

Chen's fingers dance along the strings of his bass

As Mac himself puts it, Easy Street is a band where six individuals come together and contribute their own musical skills to create something special. He explains that while the Mac Daddies felt like he was in charge, Easy Street is different. In Mac's own words, "The cool thing about Easy Street is that while I might be the front man to keep the show going, everybody has a huge part." For instance, T. Kelly's drumming guides the rhythm section, and Hartwell's background in acapella helps drive the harmonies.

T. Kelly absolutely kills it on the drums!

Undoubtedly, every member of Easy Street brings a special something that defines the band's distinct personality. Barry Allen, also a part of Easy Street, first encountered Mac at a rehearsal for a local theatrical production. Impressed by Allen's guitar skills, Mac later approached him. A few months down the line, Barry received an invitation to join Easy Street, which left him over the moon. “When we got together for practice the first time, everyone tried to get to know each other, and the chemistry was evident from the start. The band members possess immense talent and skills, and whenever we come together, magic happens," Allen recalls.

When the band members get together, magic happens

"Looking back, disbanding the Mac Daddies was a deeply personal experience for me," said Mac. "However, I am grateful for the new opportunities that arose due to Covid, allowing me to form a band like Easy Street. It was tough to keep the Mac Daddies together during those difficult times, with many musicians leaving. I was constantly searching for musicians to fill in. Chen stepped in as the bass player for our last show. But with an 11-piece band, it was challenging to maintain a high-quality performance. Thus, we decided to bid farewell. Easy Street is a new opportunity to showcase what's out there beyond big bands, especially in Beijing."

Thus far, Easy Street has already secured bookings for four shows, including performances at Modernista (Jun 17), Xian Bar (Jun 24), DDC (Jun 29), and Tribute (Jul 8). "I believe we'll attract audiences not only from our previous fan base with the Mac Daddies but also create a new following for Easy Street. It's possible that some individuals may not have been fans of the Mac Daddies, but they might find Easy Street more appealing," Mac explains. This opens up an opportunity to reach a broader audience and diversify their fan base.

Note: To stay updated on Easy Street's future shows, simply scan the QR code provided below and join their fan group.

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Images: Courtesy of Easy Street

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