Joshua McClain

Joshua McClain is a cellist, composer, and studio artist based in Oakland, CA. He's best known for his unbridled solo cello performances using a looping pedal and effects processor, creating intense, otherworldly soundscapes. He regularly performs with six-time Emmy winning songwriter Monica Pasqual in the group, Monica Pasqual and the Handsome Brunettes.

Regarded as one of the top artists in the Bay Area, Joshua was voted Musician of the Year at the 2013 Raw Artist RAWAwards showcase. He has shared the stage with Thievery Corporation, Aj Croce, Over the Rhine, Blame Sally, Gordi, Dagmar, and others.

Joshua will release his second solo studio album, Coming Home, on Feb. 17th at CounterPulse in San Francisco. The new musical work is a concept album based on Joseph Cambell's hero's journey. Joshua’s first self-titled EP was released in June 2011. He also collaboratively released a full length album in March of 2016 with The Handsome Brunettes, titled Is Fortune a Wheel, with critical acclaim. Highly sought after for both his composition and improvisation as a studio musician, Joshua stays busy working with many Bay Area artists, including folk/americana sensation Spark and Whisper and on Sara Lovell's latest album You've Got Me, winner of the 2016 parent's choice award.

Joshua's style is deeply influenced by the music of Andrew Bird, Zoe Keating, Mark Summer, Yo-Yo Ma, Sigur Rós, Dirty Three, and Jimmy Hendrix, among others.

Joshua has toured and performed extensively in North America as well as Germany, France, Japan, West Africa, and Argentina.