Indie Dispatches: CHL picks for CMJ Music Marathon
Alabama Shakes among this year's must-see at CMJ
It’s fall again, when every avid music fan’s thoughts turn to NYC and the annual CMJ Music Marath… hang on… it’s 2011! Does anyone actually go to this thing any more? Is it even relevant? Though indeed, it may not have the cachet of past decades, it seems that there are still a crew of people that will make the rounds of the clubs to see whatever the latest buzz hope-they-are-not-forgotten-in-two-years-time band (hello Black Kids?) While the masses may all be lined up to see Purity Ring or Araabmuzik, maybe you’d enjoy a few of the tips below – some new, some old, some signed, others not – to brighten up the days traipsing from Brooklyn to Manhattan and back…
Fionn Regan – Ireland’s answer to Ryan Adams – that is, a balladeer of the finest pedigree, who can floor a room with just his voice and an acoustic guitar (Fat Baby, 8pm Thurs 20)
FIDLAR – group of young SoCal punkazoids currently looking to steal the mantle of ‘kings of the LA underground’ from No Age. And winning. (Cake Shop, 10pm, Wed 19)
The Lonely Forest – their experience with Atlantic Records seems to have been a bust so far, but don’t discount them for that reason – this band is in the best tradition of the Pacific Northwest – great songs, good energy and a superb live show (Rock Shop, 9.30pm Thu 20)
Caveman – not sure the name does the band justice – but a very nice and subtle psychedelic edge sets them apart from the rest of the current crop of post-Local Natives/Fleet Foxes harmonizers (Pianos, 11pm Thurs 20)
Weekend – the loudest band in the US right now? Certainly a candidate with their excellent firebrand noise-rock, and another find by the always tasteful Slumberland label (Cake Shop, 12.45am Fri 21)
Rubber Kiss Goodbye – featuring the son of Brian Ferry. That’s a reason to at least have a look-see, right? (Fontanas, 9pm, Fri 21)
Duke Spirit - Still slogging away with that ‘big break’ eluding them, but for sure they rock better than most bands. And Liela Moss gets the vote as the sexiest front woman in Altrock (Brooklyn Bowl, 11pm, Tues 18)
Robert Ellis - sure does sound like Gram Parsons at times. And there is nothing wrong with that… A shining gem on the New West Records roster. (Living Room 11.15pm, Fri 21)
Metronomy – UK electro act that captured a lot of hearts (and ears) with their album The English Riviera this year (MHOW, 11.30pm, Thurs 20)
A Place to Bury Strangers – see Weekend. But with more records under their belt. And signed to Mute. (Union Pool, midnight, Thurs 19)
Sea of Bees – On the supreme Heavenly label for the UK, and an NPR fave. Freak folk with a twist – think the female equivalent to Devendra Banhart, or maybe Damien Rice (Living Room, 10.45, Thur 20)
Hey Marseilles – more great Northwest indierock that slides nicely alongside DCFC & more particularly, the Decemberists. (Living Room, 10pm, Sat 22)
Alabama Shakes – They are from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and live up to that area’s rich musical history. Say no more. (Bowery Ballroom, 8pm, Thu 20)
This Old Ghost – Smiths? Deathcab? not a bad place to start… (Acheron, Thu 20)
Kevin Devine - What better way to spend the final night of the the festival, than relaxing with Brooklyn’s most talented singer-songwriter? (Highline Ballroom, 8.30pm, Sat 22)
WILD FLAG – what do mean you weren’t there? #FAIL (Bowery Ballroom, 10.30pm, Tues 18)
- Cool Hand Luke
07.8.10Indie Dispatches: Top 10 Releases of the Half-Year
Top Ten of '10 So Far
In a flash half of the year has flown by and thoughts are turning to BBQ’s, the beach and the ubiquitous ‘best of the year so far’ lists… In a busy six months there have been standouts, some obvious, some maybe not so…
- – -
Avi Buffalo Avi Buffalo (Sub Pop) – What were you doing when you were 17 years of age? Chances are you were still fretting over skin problems, obsessing about cheerleaders, and trying to cadge school assignments off fellow classmates. I can guarantee what you were not doing, was writing and recording one of the most accomplished indie releases of this year (or any other actually), as young Avi has done. ”What’s In It For” is the proverbial ‘feel good hit of summer’ and it just goes on from there.
Villagers Becoming a Jackal (Domino) – The folk clubs of the world are littered with the bones of average singer songwriters, so it is a reason to rejoice when one emerges from the pack with special talents. And the fresh-faced Conor J. O’Brien’s cupboard is overflowing in that department, as evidenced by his debut solo album. Another youngster showing that the future is very, very bright.
Sally Seltmann Heart That’s Pounding (Arts & Crafts) – “Sally who?” you say? An Australia formerly disguised behind her New Buffalo moniker, the (almost anonymous) writer of Feist’s hit “1-2-3-4″ released an album that is front-to-back choc-full of infectious sing-along pop tunes. The release may have been low key, but the talents within are far from it. Oh, and Sally is married to Darren Seltmann, head honcho of The Avalanches, and It doesnt get much cooler than that.
Hey Marseilles To Travels and Trunks (Onto) – this is cheating as the album had been self-released in ‘08, but a spruced up repackage and ‘proper’ release justifies its inclusion here. Including a lot of the great elements of fellow-Northwesterers The Decemberists, but without the tendency for their rather tiresome sea shanty-isms. Some strings, some horns and some handclaps, makes this a thoroughly enjoyable multi-layered album.
Holly Miranda The Magician’s Private Library (XL) – Anyone who saw the young Jeff Buckley play his legendary shows at Sin-E in NYC in the 90’s will wax lyrically about his presence and the sheer majesty of his voice – a captivating spell that enveloped the listener. Miranda, formerly of New Yorkers Jealous Girlfriends, with help from TVOTR’s Dave Sitek, surprised everyone by duplicating that magic on her debut solo album – a record that, considering its beauty, lay around for way too long searching for a home, before XL thankfully picked it up for release.
Surfer Blood Astrocoast (Kanine) – Warranting inclusion, if only for the track “Swim”. They may be, at heart, the new Weezer, but these Florida kids have more than one sing-along indie hit on their debut release. Joining Best Coast, WAVVES and their brethren in the ‘new beach scene’ of 2010.
She & Him Volume 2 (Merge) – Even without Zooey Deschanel’s status as the #1 indie rock heartthrob, this record would still be close to the top as one of the year’s best, and rightfully deserving its smashing opening week chart position. Deschanel brims with 60’s girl group sweetness, and is more effervescent than a vintage soda shop, backed by the solid chops of elder statesman M. Ward. Bonus points for the version of “Gonna Get Along Without You Now”, (which the Lemonheads covered with great results in the 90’s)
Phantogram Eyelid Movies (Barsuk) – Barsuk may not have been the most obvious label to release this slab of throbbing electronica, and Saratoga Springs may not be the most obvious hometown, but that shouldn’t disguise this New York duo’s class. Like early LCD Soundsystem, or acclaimed French group M-83, the album is a hypnotic swirling beat-driven classic, which live they take to another sweaty, grooving level.
Sleigh Bells Treats (Mom & Pop) – Another duo, this time from Brooklyn, who could be the most newsworthy two piece since The White Stripes, or The Kills at least. A chartbusting debut album that could be seen as the dark underbelly to the squishy fuzziness of a band like the Ting Tings. In two year’s time people may not care, but Sleigh Bells have definitely succeeded in capturing the zeitgeist in 2010.
Karen Elson The Ghost Who Walks (XL) – She may be better known as a model, and of course, as Mrs Jack White, but Elson shows on her album that she can make an album combining some classic elements into a cohesive whole – a dose of Tammy Wynette, a splash of Ann Margret, some Nico and a heavy serving of Bobby Gentry.
- Cool Hand Luke
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Seattle's Hey Marseilles @ Bootleg w/ Loch Lomond 06/17
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