Saturday’s Daytrotter/Take the Handle/SnowGhost Music showcase at Brooklyn’s Glasslands Gallery had two things going for it: Wye Oak was on the bill, and it was in the afternoon. Hoping it might end my CMJ coverage on a much-needed high note, I camped out for most of the afternoon and heard some genuinely recommendable music at a lovely, mercifully couch-equipped venue. MORE »
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Idolator goes to cmj
CMJ Day Five: In Search Of A Happy Ending
Idolator Goes To Spain
CMJ Day Four: Idolator Goes Back To Spain, Gets Carded
After much begging, pleading, questioning of press credentials, and discussion of karma, the doorman at The Annex mercifully let me–and my hands, each of which was decorated with a massive “X”–into Friday’s “Sounds of Spain” showcase. I went in expecting to find mostly mediocre psychedelia and mumbly alt-rock (Spain’s genres of choice), and came out pleasantly surprised. I’d like to dedicate this post to that reluctant but accommodating door man; he was the only one to let me in anywhere on Friday. Join me after the jump for hot Spanish dudes and the unfortunate experience of being an actual 20-year-old college student at CMJ. MORE »
Idolator goes to cmj
CMJ Day Three: A Triumphant Return To Mediocrity
The disadvantage of being an “actual college student” while covering CMJ is that you have to, you know, go to college. When I got home from the Beach House show at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, I had to write my recap post then and there because I had class starting at 9:30. Which means that I was facing last night on three hours of sleep and a full day of school. Under the circumstances I decided to take it as easy as possible last night, so I headed over Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg hoping it would be a hype-free zone with seating. The good news is that I was right on both accounts; the bad news is that people are still trying to drive me slowly insane with generic folk. A more nuanced assessment of that situation, plus some Western swing, after the jump. MORE »
Idolator goes to cmj
How Does CMJ Choose Which Bands Get In? An Idolator Special Report
Just yesterday, intrepid reporter Kate Richardson asked a very pertinent question about CMJ 2008: “Who are all these bands?” Up until very recently, I worked as a publicist for an indie PR firm, and I know a ton of small acts because of it. Some I worked, some I tried to work, some I researched, and some I know from competitors and colleagues. I also read/skimmed nearly every magazine, indie Web site, and blog out there, particularly looking at coverage of small bands. Plus, I’m in a few bands myself, and have played with a bunch of different out-of-towners. My point here is not to brag, but to state my qualifications: I’ve heard of a ton of indie bands, and a lot of them aren’t good. When I haven’t heard of an artist, I get rather suspicious of quality, to be honest, but, then again, I regard all new acts with a measure of suspicion.
Looking over the CMJ 2008 lineup, I have to second Kate. MORE »
Idolator goes to cmj
CMJ Day Two: I Have To Admit It’s Getting Better
If Tuesday night was the epitome of all that is irritating and mediocre about CMJ, last night was somewhat redemptive, though I still think the organizers should just gather the best acts and put them in one place. But hey, the evening was so pleasant, in fact, that I don’t even have any bingo squares to mark off! MORE »
Idolator goes to cmj
Dent May’s Ukulele And Stage Persona Are Both Magical
First things first: The tote bags at CMJ last year were much cooler, and it sort of colored my mood bout the whole conference. But thankfully, some friends of mine somehow managed to drag me out for a show by something called Dent May And His Magnificent Ukulele. His (their?) MySpace page had three lovely tracks, as well as a music video that looked like David Lynch and old-timey Southern gentry had an orgy, only taking breaks to flip through an Urban Outfitters catalog. MORE »
Idolator goes to cmj
CMJ Day One: All-You-Can-Eat Music From Brooklyn Vegan
Like a shy loner whose mom pressures her to go to the middle school dance and socialize with her classmates, I have been thrust into this year’s CMJ coverage. Of course I’m always delighted when Maura is generous and crazy enough to grant me a press pass, and Lord knows I’m not complaining about free shows all week, but let’s do some real talk: CMJ is ridiculous. Who are all these bands? Couldn’t they have just narrowed it down to a few actually good ones and put on just one or two great concerts instead of a hundred mediocre shows? Oh wait, I forgot–the point of music is to consume as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. Join me for a recap of day one’s journey into the heart of darkness: Brooklyn Vegan’s showcase at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. MORE »
