Wait, hold on, is it really mid-October already? That means this week is probably occupied by one of two things: the World Series or the CMJ Music Marathon -- and in my case, both. This week -- roughly today through Saturday, Oct. 25, give or take a few pre and post-parties -- countless college radio kids, journalists, music industry folks descend upon New York for an endless buffet of hundreds of young and upcoming bands and musicians. And for a city already brimming with endless options and distractions, CMJ can be logistically overwhelming: For me, mapping out a schedule very quickly starts to look like some chaotic collage of photos and notes and string all plastered to my bedroom wall -- like when Claire Danes goes off her meds in Homeland.
When trying to decide where to be and which bands to seek out, you’ll see plenty of recognizable names playing this week, but discovery is sorta the name of the game for CMJ -- and it’s always exciting to come across a new band you’ve never heard of, and fall hard for. Last year alone, I caught sets from some of my now-favorite bands: Perfect Pussy, Pity Sex, Joanna Gruesome, and Hop Along. I came across some Australian songwriter whose glorious guitarwork was only out-shined by her clever, wry wordplay -- none other than Courtney Barnett. And, I also was able to see one of the first shows from the riff-heavy Mary Timony-fronted D.C. band Ex Hex.
So yeah, if you’re in New York, CMJ is the perfect chance to play a little game of fortune-telling. It's fun to try to forecast which young bands playing this year will be even bigger in six months or a year’s time. Not everything is a hit, of course, but if you're lucky, maybe you'll come away having found something new.
And to help get you started, a couple of us at Soundcheck (well, me and our intern who's actually still in college) have combed over the official schedules and less-than-official goings on to pinpoint a small handful of bands we're really excited to check out this year.
GIRLPOOL
There’s something so refreshing about Girlpool’s primitive punk songs. Built around guitar, bass and voice, the Los Angeles duo -- Harmony Tividad and Cleo Tucker -- is remarkably able to do a lot with very little, allowing you to hang on every word and messy guitar riff. With songs like “Blah Blah Blah” or “Plants And Worms,” from the band’s just released self-titled EP, Girlpool shows it can be incredibly funny, while delivering vulnerable and knife-twisting turns of phrase with unflinching candor. If the live show is as immediate and raw as its songs, Girlpool promises to be one of my new favorite DIY-minded bands this year. (Michael Katzif)
Where can I see them?
- Wed. 10\22: Glasslands
- Thurs. 10\23: Death By Audio
- Fri. 10\24: Silent Barn
KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD
If Animal Collective's Avey Tare had a love child with the guys from Tame Impala, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard would be that kid. The Australian band crosses out-there experimental sounds and solid psychedelic rock, and is keenly aware of how to completely transform a song from beginning to end. It knows when to take you deep into an atmospheric soundscape, and then reel you back down into more rooted psych-rock. (Bailey Constas)
Where can I see them?
- Wed. 10\22: Knitting Factory
- Fri. 10\25 Pianos (6PM)
- Fri. 10\25 Rough Trade (10:30PM)
KRILL
There’s so many fantastic loud and in-your-face punky garage bands playing CMJ this year: Cayetana and Twin Peaks, Purling Hiss and Paws, Pile, Potty Mouth and Porches. I’ve seen a few of these groups, and plan to see the rest soon. But the band I’m most curious to see that fits this shreddy guitar band mold is Krill, a band that’s been around a bit, but I still have not heard live. Based in Boston, this is a band capable of angry and angsty music, full of incredible scorching guitars that burrow under your skin and then poison the blood with sharp-edged dissonance. But at the core of its recent EP, Steve Hears Pile In Malden And Bursts Into Tears, and the fantastic new single, “Peanut Butter,” are singable, almost poppy melodies and a sly sense of humor. It’s a winning combination. (MK)
Where can I see them?
- Fri. 10\24: Trash Bar
- Sat. 10\25: Silent Barn
SLOTHRUST
Slothrust sounds nothing like the stale lethargic nature of its namesake. This band's finger-breaking guitar riffs and genre-bending style makes it difficult to peg, blurring blues, psych-rock, hardcore, punk and every shade in between. Fronted by Leah Wellbaum, Slothrust pulls from all the right influences, then drowns it all in a glorious haze of guitar -- like on the the song “For Marshall,” which starts with a bluesy, Jack White-like intro, but soon transitions into a psych-rock masterpiece. (BC)
Where can I see them?
- Tues. 10\21 Mercury Lounge
- Thurs. 10\23 Bowery Ballroom
LULUC
Okay, at some point during the week, your ears are gonna be blasted out from feedback. You might be a little hungover, or short on sleep, and the only vegetable you’ve had lately is the olives on a slice of pizza at 2 a.m. There’s no shame in easing into your day or evening with something melodic that will calm those frayed nerves. You could try the uplifting folk rock of Ages And Ages and Gem Glub's deliberately unfurling piano pop. Or, seek out the sterling harmonies of Luluc. On the Australian\New York duo’s new record, Passerby, Zoë Randell and Steve Hassett create Nick Drake-styled British folk songs comprised of delicate strumming and simply gorgeous vocal harmonies. Trust me, it’ll be a welcome, stirring respite from the madness. (MK)
Where can I see them?
- Thurs. 10\23: Knitting Factory
- Sat. 10\25: The Delancey
BUSCABULLA
Buscabulla (Spanish slang for troublemaker) might be the most innovative band you'll see this week. The Puerto Rican-via-Brooklyn band's music holds a place amid vintage Latin music and Cuban psych but doused with modern electronic sensibilities.Together vocalist Raquel Berrios and instrumentalist Luis Alfredo Del Valle make a relaxed and smart Caribbean sound. If it tells you something, the band's recently released debut EP was produced by Dev Hynes (a.k.a. Blood Orange). So if you’re looking to dance to some sophisticated sensual beats, Buscabulla’s your band. (BC)
Where can I see them?
- Thurs. 10\23: Output
- Sat. 10\25: Cameo Gallery
LITERATURE
Looking for more straight-ahead indie pop? Two recent favorites are the surfy rockers Alvvays or the slightly more punky band Beverly -- both of which put on fantastic shows earlier this summer. But Literature's recent album, Chorus, has been on constant rotation of late, and its crisp pop songs are sure to get anyone in the crowd swaying and singing along in no time. With chiming guitars and triumphant choruses full of feelings -- which will recall early R.E.M., The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and The Smiths, if they were happier -- this Philly-by-way-of-Austin, Texas band has plenty of jangle to spare. Bring your own tambourine. (MK)
Where can I see them?
- Wed. 10\22: Pianos (2:40PM) and Cake Shop (8:50PM)
- Sat. 10\25: Cake Shop (5PM)
YOUNG MAGIC
Simply put: Young Magic is a piece of electronic artwork. Every sound, every bass line, and every vocal harmony is soulful and thick like colorful globs of paint on a sonic canvas. This Australia-born, Brooklyn-based group makes smart dance music that doesn't force you to dance but persuades your limbs to sway without you even knowing. (BC)
Where can I see them?
- Wed.-Thurs 10\22-23 Mercury Lounge (1AM)
- Sat. 10\25 Rough Trade