A First-Timer’s Field Work at CMJ: Day 5

While it certainly would not be uncalled for to lament missing the surprise performance from Kanye West at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday night or Daft Punk’s cameo with Phoenix for their encore at Wednesday’s Madison Square Garden show, I think I can find perfect satisfaction in having seen 48 acts over the last five days, most of which were completely new to me. Its an obscene amount of music by anyone’s standards, but when taken in the context of CMJ’s lineup of over 1,000 bands, we’re talking about less than five percent of what was out there. CMJ’ers have no...  read more

A First Timer’s Field Work at CMJ: Day 4

A friend told me halfway through my fourth day at CMJ that I would hate music after this week. You’d think that would be the case at the pace of this event (and it certainly is with some of the music I’ve seen), but time is a’tickin on the final day of CMJ and I’m still compelled to go soak in the remaining acts. To a certain extent, this week-long music showcase keeps me running because of the whimsical, almost improvisatory way in which almost everything that’s seen or heard is devoid of expectations. Sure, there’s buzz involved with some...  read more

A First Timer’s Field Work at CMJ: Day 2

As I watched the fourth of 10 bands that I’d catch on Day 2, the words that were imparted to me by a conference veteran echoed in my mind – “There’s a lot of bad bands at CMJ.” In the interest of keeping this recap more positive and useful, I’ll refrain from ranting about those god-awful examples of what people pass as music and just move on to the notable highlights....  read more

A First-Timer’s Field Work at CMJ: Day 1

The fire-hose has been turned on and the work has begun. For a first-timer at the CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival that began on Tuesday in New York City, it’s a balancing act between personal planning of bands on my own agenda, following the well-traveled veterans of this 30-year tradition, keeping an ear to the ground for those “in the know” about the bands showing great potential this year, and leaving enough room for spontaneous discoveries along the way. For the first night, the strategy was to stay put at one showcase rather than bounce around to the multitude...  read more

CMJ 2008, Day 3: Juliana Hatfield @ Housing Works Bookstore

If you ever wondered where singer/songwriter Juliana Hatfield honed the inspiration to write the lyrics that compose her introspective, expansive discography, her new memoir, When I Grow Up, provides more than few intimate clues. Recently released along with her latest album, How to Walk Way, the book poignantly depicts the 90s alt-rock pioneer's battles with personal insecurity as she grew into her musical career....  read more

CMJ 2008: PasteMD's guide to CMJitis

Did CMJ hit you as hard as it hit us? Did the constant barrage of free schwag, buzz bands and draft beer push you over the edge? Are you suffering from a case of the dreaded CMJitis? If you're unsure, check out our handy symptom guide. ...  read more

CMJ 2008, Day 3: Ebony Bones @ Hiro Ballroom

After being denied the sold-out Crystal Castles show at Webster Hall and arriving too late to check out The Dears at Hiro Ballroom, I was in desperate need of some live entertainment. Fortuitously, a group of British festival goers told me to stick around for Hiro's after party with London's Ebony Bones, and I'm certainly glad I did. ...  read more

CMJ 2008, Day 2: Re-Revolutionary War with the Rumble Strips and Takka Takka

[Above: The Rumble Strips]On the second night of CMJ, we went back to 1775 (in our minds, at least) to pit England's The Rumble Strips against Brooklyn's own Takka Takka in a Re-Revolutionary War of sorts. There weren't any red coats or harbors full of tea, and no one was trying to oppress us, but with a lone British act warming up the crowd at Paste's Artist's Lounge in preparation for a celebrated Brooklyn band, what's a music writer to do but simulate a little faux cross-continental rivalry? ...  read more

CMJ 2008, Day 1: Gringo Star, Wild Light, Cheeseburger and Vivian Girls point/counterpoint

[Above: Cheeseburger]This year, Paste and friends are helping out CMJ's hardworking, college-beloved musicians with the inaugural Artist Lounge, featuring a bit of swag and lots of bands each and every night of the festival. If you missed last night's opening ceremonies, Paste:Local NYC's Courtney and Sean are here to catch you up on Monday night's performances by Gringo Star, Wild Light, Cheeseburger and Vivian Girls....  read more