Next week, some 900 bands will rain down upon New York City at the 2011 edition of CMJ Music Marathon. Here’s the dilemma: You can’t see 900 bands. You might see 100, but despite all the cab fares and hours of sleep you’ll waste away, you won’t see it all.
That’s okay, you’ll still catch plenty of talent. Even if your plane lands late (it’s inevitable), or your trip from JFK to Manhattan ends up being one long, monotonous slog, chances are you’ll still have plenty of tales from The Cake Shop or The Bowery to bring home with you. There’s just so much going on.
Right now, you need to take advantage of the calm before the storm. Because, really, that storm is one chaotic shitshow if you’re not prepared. Band names start blending together, venues feel like they’re light years away, and your eyes start doing this thing that makes you grab your friend (or, even worse, a local) and scream, “I’m having a nervous breakdown.” Sounds fun, right?
This is usually the part where we pat you on the back and say, “Plan accordingly, padnah.” But, we thought we’d help out and do most of the work for you. So, enjoy this p-r-e-t-t-y cool guide, and then go from there. Bottom line: Have fun, keep an open mind, and try to come back with a new favorite band.
Oh, and make sure when you order a slice of pizza to mention that you’re from another state that also is known for their pizza. They *love* that bit.
Also, don’t forget to stop by Consequence of Sound’s two events during CMJ 2011. On Friday, we’re presenting an official showcase at Pianos, and on Saturday, we’re throwing our massive October party at Southpaw. Click the links for more details…
Tuesday, October 18th
Wild Flag
Re-hoisting the Riot Girrrl flag with a cumulative ferocity that is only paralleled by how much damn fun they have.
Time & Place: 10:30 p.m. @ The Bowery Ballroom (link)
Frenetic, pinched, and poppy indie rock that harkens back to 90′s D.C. is always welcome, as is their band name which when graded on a curve at CMJ actually fares pretty well.
Hers is an alluring and apocalyptic sound, about 20 shades darker than most rock out there and hidden under both musical and clothing layers. You may swallow your gum watching her, so spit it out beforehand.
The alternative hip-hop collective is one of the most exciting groups from the growing Minneapolis rap scene, bringing together introspective lyrics with lush instrumentation and even bridging Fugazi to Wu-Tang Clan.
Time & Place: 12:00 a.m. @ Knitting Factory (link)
Atmosphere (especially an unexpected one) is everything for Zola Jesus, making her free morning appearance at Ace Hotel an excellent way to start the day.
While looking to the late ’60s and early ’70s for influence isn’t surprising, Robbers on High Street makes the classic sound fresh with sweet songwriting, catchy riffs, and a whole lot of fun.
Ayad (Passion Pit), Andy Rourke (The Smiths), Nick Catchdubs (Fool’s Gold), Fred Wilson (Union Square Ventures)… Yeah, there are many DJ sets happening throughout CMJ, but one look at this varied lineup and the thoughts of what type of songs they’ll spin is more than enough reason to check this one out.
Time & Place: 6:00 p.m. @ Contra Labs’ Smartlounge (link)
Thursday, October 20th
Memoryhouse
Toronto’s Memoryhouse carves out evening dream pop suitable for the outdoors, preferably during those twilight vacays on the porch. Get lost in “Heirloom” and never look back. Ever.
Minimalistic synth pop from Soft Black frontman Vin Cacchione’s new gig. Echoes of Jesus and the Mary Chain ring loud in songs like “Hazy Girls”, but a track like “Teflon Heart”, off their latest LP, Eat Their Own, will stick to the roof of your mouth with pure sugary bliss. We enjoyed their video for “Girls on Medication” a whole bunch, too.
Sidewalk indie pop from Cleveland that skips and beats like two 16-year-old hearts in love for the first time. You could argue the genre doesn’t need another band like this, but you could also be a miserable human being, too. Your choice.
Dominion – Princeton rockers that restrict themselves to only a mandolin, violin, cello, standup bass, and drums. It works well, but is it too gimmicky? You decide.
Eclectic instrumentation and electric stage presence balance out, if not outweigh, the buzz surrounding the electronic duo. Expect an alluring and cunning performance that will be well worth your time.
A full audience participation dance and singalong, complete with a fully automatic LED power-glove, costumes, and some Deacon-esque heartfelt electro-pop. You will undoubtedly have the very best time at their show.
AraabMUZIK serves as both some “sweet chunes, bruv” and a (small) entry point into the world of spaced out hip-hop/hood-trance. This is just about guaranteed to get everyone at Santos moving.
Time & Place: 10:30 p.m. @ Santos Party House (link)
Listen:
Hull
Brooklyn’s heavy as lead metal quintet will wreak havoc with eardrums at CMJ so come prepared to get your shit rocked up for their sampler platter of sludgy, heavy, proggy metal.
Like an a cappella, slowed-down Beach Boys, these guys rely on dense, undulating harmonies and minimal instrumentation to arrest their audience. Definitely check out this “post-doo wop.”
Schneit’s husky voice, reminiscent of Victoria Legrand or Merrill Garbus, fortifies her breezy, swinging folk-pop arrangements. Air Waves is the perfect comedown from CMJ’s five-day shitshow.
Time & Place: 2:00 p.m. @ Caponegro Urological Associates <–seriously, its in Queens and this show is free. (link)
Tight and electric, The Young Things rock out whether strutting like the Cribs or shredding like Sid Vicious, reminding us that post-punk doesn’t end when CMJ does.
An unsigned and pretty great experimental garage band from Charleston, SC, Baby Lips’ scraggly male-female vocals and organs sound like they were conceived in a creepy, abandoned plantation house. Per above, they have “peculiar” stage outfits.
