CMJ in NYC Part 2
November 1st, 2011 by chocko
There was a free BrooklynVegan showcase at the Knitting Factory on Oct. 20 during the CMJ Fest. I missed the Yellow Ostrich, but just made it for the start of the Still Corners 1:15 PM set. I’ve been listening to their new album nonstop. “I Wrote In Blood” sounds like a song from Twin Peaks mashed with a Wutang Clan beat. Hundred Visions from Austin, TX rocked out with songs that mixed indie rock, with some funk and new wave. The band was energetic and the lead singer hopped around a lot-they were fun to watch. Sorry, to hear that the band’s van and most of the gear got stolen the night before.
Forest Fire from Brooklyn played a short set and will be hitting the road next month. Look out Europe! Bobby played next with a lineup that looks whittled down since I last saw them play a couple of months ago at Music Hall of Williamsburg. They play polyrhythmic, avant garde electonic music using guitars and synthesizers. Check them out. Main Attrakionz from Oakland represented the hip hop world with a set of rap songs about girls, getting high and skateboarding. They provided a lot of laughs with their laid back Cali swagger and performed their “cloud rap” like they were in a packed arena.
Later that night at the Woods in Williamsburg Broooklyn, there was a Tom Tom Magazine’s showcase featuring an interesting mix of bands featuring female percussionists. The night featured many bands including Brute Heart from Minneapolis featuring 3 women on bass, viola and drums. Their songs can get tribal and abstract, but it’s good stuff! Pearl And The Beard also rocked the stage with their fun, soulful folky tunes! This trio from Brooklyn (Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price, and Jeremy Styles) sing and play a variety of instruments, but mostly guitar, glockenspiel and cello. They always play a fantastic live show…highly recommended band! Japanese female punk band, Hard Nips were also in the house. Emi, Mariko, Yoko, and The Gootch got the party moving with their pop punk songs. “Children Of Satan” go the fists pumping! Coasting, a two-piece from Brooklyn featuring drummer Fiona Cambell and guitarist Madison Farmer who met while organizing d.i.y. shows, brought their lo-fi songs complete with killer riffs and booming beats. Next time I see them, I’m definitely buying all their records on the merch table!
After a quick drive into the Lower East Side and charging through the jam packed Pianos on Ludlow Street, the packed-like-sardines audience were treated to a free showcase by Deli Magazine and friends. The Grates (from Australia) featuring John Patterson on guitar and bouncy, kick-ass Patience Hodgson played a late set and jolted the CMJ zombies with a much needed burst of adrenalin. The Grates never cease to amaze me and I love the way Patience interacts with the crowd. She can never stand in one place for too long until she’s whipping a lariat, or climbing on a table or jumping on the shoulders of an audience member. Their new album titled “Secret Rituals” is out now. Check ’em out!
Tags: brute heart, coasting, hard nips, main attrakionz, pearl and the beard, still corners, the grates
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