10 Bands to Watch at CMJ 2011
More than 1,000 bands are playing at CMJ 2011, which kicks off tomorrow in NYC. Here are ten fantastic acts to consider adding to your schedule.
You Say France & I Whistle‘s set at Culture Collide in Los Angeles last weekend was a highlight of the festival. We highly recommend catching the New York debut of this immensely likable Swedish indie pop collective.
Listen: When Lovers Die
Catch them: Wednesday 10/19 – Swedish Pop Explosion @ Kimmel Center, NYU (11:45)
Thursday 10/20 @ Dominion Theater (8pm)
Michigan trio Lightning Love charms with their style of sweet, youthful, and instantly memorable pop.
Download: Everyone I Know
Catch them: Wednesday 10/19 – Quite Scientific Showcase @ Le Poisson Rouge
Portland’s Radiation City plays grand, warm synth pop that you can rock out to – but in a dreamy sort of way.
Download: Park
Catch them: Wednesday, 10/19 – Big Hassle Media Party @ Pianos (1pm)
Wednesday 10/19 – Paste Party @ Living Room (4pm)
Thursday 10/20 – Gluttony Is The New Black Party @ Pete’s Candy Store (10pm)
Friday 10/21 – Distiller Promo Party @ Knitting Factory (1:35pm)
Friday 10/21 – Self Group @ Lit Lounge (8pm)
Saturday 10/22 – Baeble Music Party @ Spike Hill (3pm)
Miami duo ANR manages to merge chillwave, Beach Boys-style pop and ’70s glam rock–sometimes all in one song. We’re intrigued.
Download: New Armor
Catch them: Tuesday 10/18 @ All Things Go Showcase @ Dominion NY (11pm)
Thursday 10/20 – Windish Agency Showcase @ Le Poisson Rouge (7pm)
Friday 10/21 – Neon Gold Party @ Fontana’s (9:30pm)
Irish singer-songwriter Fionn Regan writes beautiful, deeply personal songs bolstered by delicate orchestral arrangements.
Download: 100 Acres of Sycamore
Catch him: Monday 10/17 @ The Rock Shop (headlining – not CMJ)
Tuesday 10/18 @ Mercury Lounge (headlining)
Thursday 10/20 – Music From Ireland showcase @ Fat Baby (8pm)
Lily & the Parlour Tricks are sure to get the room swinging with their sultry retro rock ‘n roll.
Download: Poison Song
Catch them: Tuesday 10/18 – Deli Magazine Showcase @ The Delancey (9:50pm)
Thursday 10/20 – Big Picture Media Showcase @ Sullivan Hall (11pm)
New Jersey’s Delicate Steve is an expert at crafting bright and engaging instrumental guitar compositions.
Download: Don’t Get Stuck
Catch him: Tuesday 10/18 – Stereogum Presents @ Glasslands (w/Titus Andronicus)
Friday 10/21 – Crush Presents @ Drom (Doors at 7pm)
Saturday 10/22 – Golden Ratio/Birddog NYC Taper @ Cameo Gallery (6:30pm)
Step back in time with The Stepkids and groove along to their sweet, sweet soul music.
Download: Legend
Catch them: 10/18 – Apple In-Store @ W14st St Location (7:30pm)
10/19 – Under the Radar showcase @ Public Assembly (5pm)
10/20 – Official Music Tech Lounge, Curated by Cantora @ The Thompson Hotel (Time TBD; 3 – 9pm)
10/20 – Deli Mag showcase @ Pianos (12am)
10/21 – Strangers in Stereo showcase @ The Delancey (Time TBD; 4 – 6pm)
10/21 – Stones Throw showcase @ Rubberstamp Studio (9pm)
10/21 – Yours Tru.ly showcase @ Glasslands (1am)
10/22 – Brooklyn Vegan showcase @ Public Assembly (Time TBD)
Aficionado‘s emotionally charged, organ-accented rock owes a large debt to former tourmate Tim Kasher of Cursive, but they put their own stamp on their songs with big pop choruses and female backing vocals.
Listen: Stir Like Hell
Catch them: Wednesday 10/19 – Property of Zack/Kind of Like Records @ The Acheron
Saturday 10/22 @ TJO/Whatever Blog @ Matchless (4pm)
Finally, if you haven’t caught EMA live yet, she’s bringing her powerfully dark electro-folk anthems to two great shows this week.
Listen: California
Catch her: Thursday 10/20 @ Bowery Ballroom (with Dry The River, Lydia, Marques Toliver, Alabama Shakes)
Saturday 10/22 @ Webster Hall (with CSS and MEN)