My 2009 CMJ

I'm going through post CMJ withdraw! Even after being completely incompetent during work hours, still going to the gym, and the walking even though my body ached from the gym, I wish CMJ was more than a week.

First of all, I didn't think I was going to see as many shows as I did this year, but having a friend in an up and coming band Finding Fiction with a lot of time on his hands, interning for a music site "Greenshoelace" and receiving free tickets to sold out CMJ shows DOES help.

Secondly, I saw three bands that would make me get on the rooftop of my BK abode and shout "Eh! Listen to x, y, and z!" and then quietly slink down before I was caught by my landlord Kurian, who, surprisingly, is ALWAYS around.

1. Local Natives (L.A)
2. Golden Silvers (London Town)
3. Pink Noise (Brooklyn based!)

My number one fsvorite was Local Natives and since I saw them twice, they doubly made an impression on me.

The Greenshoelace sponsored CMJ show, at Santos Party House, was where I first heard them, then secondly at the Deli Magazine ALL DAY Free CMJ showcase at The Delancey on Saturday, the last day of CMJ. By Saturday I was itching to see them again. A favorite of mine they played at both sets was the song "Airplanes." The are definitely not a new band as they have a decent following in Europe and their hometown of L.A. However if you are in the mood for four males to wrap harmonious vocals around your head, then give Local Natives a listen.

Golden Silvers played at the Greenshoelace CMJ showcase at Bowery Electric, and was a pleasant surprise. A video for a song that I don't know the name of (I'd appreciate some help here), was my favorite of their set. However their last song was a perfectly done A Capella song. I wish I could have gotten that on video. I hope to hear more of them soon, and that they come back to NYC. In 2008 Golden Silvers won the Glastonbury New Talent competition, putting the in the limelight. So listen up!

Lastly I trekked past my normal stop of Graham Ave on the L, took the shuttle to the Morgan stop and made it to Shea Stadium to catch the ridiculous 18 band showcase. There I saw Desert Stars who needed to have someone work on their mics, as I could barely hear the one chick on the cello! A cello amongst drums, keys, and a guitar is going to be drowned out regardless, but a well positioned mic, with the volume up, would have helped.

Anyway, on to the main event (for me at least) was Pink Noise. As Desert Stars droned on, PN, came in a tad bit late, with little time to set up. I knew I would like them tho as the female lead singer came in waearing silver sparkly Converse. Hot.

Unfortunately with the noise factor and fuzziness of the mics, I couldn't catch song titles, but I loved each and every one. They played Union Pool tonight... too bad I missed it!


So that was my CMJ. How was yours?