CMJ 2010 - The Wrap

CMJ 2010 - The Wrap Up

Moving on to the CMJ shows I attended on Thursday, October 21, 2010

First stop was Pianos on Ludlow Street in the heart of New York City's Lower East Side.

Super manager and show promoter Steven Matrick was keeping everything humming there at a furious pace.

I caught a band from Los Angeles called Pepper Rabbit, who went on at the tail end of the daytime events.



I found their Paul McCartney-esque sound to be pleasant and appealing.




I couldn't dawdle at Pianos for long, though as I had to get over to The Living Room (fortunately, only 2 doors down) to catch the opening featured acts for The Deli Magazine's Thursday night showcase.


Living Room owner Jennifer Gilson chats preshow with Deli Publisher Paolo DeGregorio
First up was an act I was quite curious about - Octant





The "band" (really a solo artist and his incredibly unique, hand-crafted machines) delivered a wistful sound via sad, yearning vocals and sparse arrangements. Of particular note was the robot percussion. Can hammers be programmed to emote? It almost seems possible. As you find yourself (via his lyrics) with a "shipwrecked feeling on garbage island" with "hummingbird hands." As weird as it is wonderful.



Next up was breakout artists Buke & Gass



Two amazing musicians, with the female having an equally brilliant voice. They are prog, art, jazz, rock, rhythmically twisted and everything needed in music today.

Have a listen:



Following that was a singer I had seen previously (January of this year at Glasslands), Kendra Morris. Her set at that show leaned heavier on slower, soulful burners. And despite a somewhat flashy appearance, the dancing was kept to a minimum.

Not so for this go round.



On this night Kendra did the bump and grind through her set with an energy level one might expect from a Las Vegas showgirl. With all that going on, it was still her voice that was most impressive.
________


This being CMJ marathon, however, I had to dash out of The Living Room and head down the street (down below Delancey) to catch the Fleck PR Showcase at Fontana's

I arrived just in time to witness the short burst blasts of bluesy punk band Two Tears









Singer Kerry Davis told me after her set that she keeps everything short, rather than "playing the same thing over and over" - makes sense to me.



Inbetween sets I managed to touch base with Fleck PR's Jo Murray


Cromwell and Jo - taking a moment at the DJ table
Up next was the much anticipated set from punk-injected southern garage rockers Gringo Star

The band had an absolutely brilliant light show (especially for a relatively small venue like this).

They had different tones and textures for nearly every one of their songs.

The green lighting was particularly stunning.

They also sounded great.

Have a listen:

************

Saturday - October 23

With shows scheduled to begin at the un-rock'n'roll hour of 12 Noon, one had to get up early to hear some of the better bands performing.

Heading over to Spike Hill in Brooklyn for the Saturday portion of The Deli Magazine's all day presentation, I made it just in time to catch one of my favorite bands - Dead Leaf Echo

Despite the early hour, the band was in fine form.

Mysterious dreamscapes are established via their creative projections

Ana B is a multi-talented musician, accomplished on keyboards, guitar and vocals.

Their voices blended perfectly with LG's atmospheric 12 string guitar.

Shadows and Light

LG in his element

and a moment of extasy

Following Dead Leaf Echo was the chamber pop textures of Teletextile

Frontperson Pamela Martinez brings the unique texture of a Harp to their sound.

Performing as a 3 piece, live drums and backing vocals combined with bassist/guitarist and backing vocalist Caitlin, as they complemented Pamela's moving vocals.

With a delicate, emotive sound and visually attractive presentation, there is much to like about this band.

See for yourself:

"You can't escape"

Another song:

OK - but this was CMJ you know - I couldn't stay in one place for too long! There was too much to see - too much to do. Feverishly, I contemplated what was next.

Jumping into my vehicle (lovingly known as the "Crom-wagon") I raged out of Brooklyn for the horror that is trying to find a legal cost-free street parking spot in Manhattan.

Somewhere between one and two hours later I finally found one. I usually go out in NYC at night, so I wasn't aware that Saturday is pretty much the same as Monday-Friday as far as street parking goes. Now we know. Needless to say I missed the first band I was attempting to see (no need to mention them now).

One of the cool things about New York city, though (and having to park far away from you intended venue) is all the great street art you get to see.

I am continually fascinated by it all.

Excellence

I never expect to see what I do.

Finally arriving at Arlene's Grocery in the heart of NYC's Lower East Side mecca,
I caught Canadian groove-enthusiasts Young Empires

The band plays an interesting hybrid of dancefloor grooves but with rock guitar embellishments.

Guitarist Robert Ellinson placed some tasty licks and textures throughout their set.

Vocalist Matthew Vlahovich and bassist Jake Palahnuk executed well-rehearsed, professionally delivered songs.

Have a listen:

Chatting with the band after their show, its always a pleasure to meet a bunch of great guys who can joke around, engage is chatter and in general not have the dreaded head-up-your-ass disease. Young Empires qualify as all around good guys.

Following them was the moderately hyped UK band Everything Everything

Having one of theirs songs on my iPod already (Lord knows which PR press release or blog I got it from) I was curious to hear them.

A fully live 4 piece band, they put on a spirited presentation and the sound was quite good. Predominantly a vocal group (and their harmonies were well executed) with emphasis on the emotive qualities of their lead singer, it was the bassist who seemed to be the "glue" in their band concept operation.

Finally it was time for the daytime portion of the ForceFieldPR / Windish Agency headliners
Shipla Ray & Her Happy Hookers

Shipla puts on an amazing show. Her band is smokin' hot and she is borderline psycho (and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible).

Give this a listen and you'll know exactly what I mean:

"I know all about the woe is me" Indeed.

These two guys are amazingly great players.

I don't know how Shipla does it. Keeps her voice and screams like that.

Talent. That's all you can say.

Whew? Is CMJ really over?

I need to lie down for a while.

violet violet - live in New York, November 2008

It was somwhere in the middle of October (this year) that I was pointed in the direction of the band violet violet. A mutual music fan friend who shares similar taste suggested I check them out. So I did, and very much liked what I heard and saw. As it turns out, they were soon coming to the fair city of New York (where I reside) , thus I made a mental note of the dates and locations.

Making contact with the band via these social networking sites that now connect us all, I offered an opportunity for an interview and feature. A positive response was received, so it was all set then. On Wednesday, the 5th of November (still 2008) I trodded on down to my increasingly familiar stomping grounds of the lower east side of Manhattan (which I like to call rock club central) - this time The Cake Shop on Ludlow Street to see violet violet on their first US tour.

Entering the venue (which is an actual cake shop upstairs) I spotted one of the violets coming toward the door. Quickly introducing myself, it would be the band's lovely drummer Fliss that I would meet first. However, since it was guitarist Cheri who initially wrote back to me, I asked where she might be presently located. Fliss indicated she was downstairs with the third member of the group, bassist Kylie - watching the opening band, as well as socializing with their friends, and headline act The Nightingales. Fliss then hurried off outside in an attempt to get her cell phone to work.


Cheri, Kylie and Fliss


I quickly located Cheri downstairs, which wasn't hard to do, as she is a tall, striking blonde, with an outgoing and friendly personality to match. Making the quick introductions with she and Kylie, we headed upstairs to a somewhat less noisy location to record some pre-show chatter.
Listen to this clip as they talk about the music scene in their hometown of Norwich, among other things:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7S4PV9WUFI




In the second part of my pre-show interview, we discuss the band's influences, and the style of music they strive to create, as well as the recorded works they already have produced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXD1CgrcRs






As it was getting close to show time, the band then headed off to set up and I to find the best location to record some of the set.

In short order the moment arrived for violet violet's first ever show, not only in New York, but all of the USA.

Here, their opening song "Baby's Going Down"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikOHpEaina4

Listen to the whoah-ah-oh




My next recorded clip is of the curiously titled "Dick Van Dyke". Though I doubt it's actually about that actor from the 1960's television show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgQcaMcReNI

I do like the angular rhythms and syncopated vocal phrasings.






Next up is the riff-n-rhythm-heavy "Love This Band"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgQcaMcReNI

It's not a love song. Unless you love having a heart attack.




Cake Shop's bright lights

Fliss is a drumming dynamo

Cheri sings, plays and enjoys reading blogs about My Bloody Valentine

Kylie is a study in concentration and grace.

On to the set closer, and the low-note driven, somewhat menacing groove of "The Crush"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBwB-59yY-w

Bright Lights Big City



Full Set List

Which in true rock & roll fashion, was written on the back of this receipt.

Apparently, Fliss needed some new drum sticks.


Right after they played, I was able to engage them in a bit more conversation.

We discuss (among other things) cats and hot dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3ifRZ-9-kw

The girls (or "goils" as they like to refer to themselves as) were supporting the wildly entertaining Nightingales for select shows on this US east coast tour.

Here the Black Country, UK ensemble play their particular brand of Jamison-fueled, stream-of-conscience storytelling.

If every picture tells a story, then certainly these video clips tell an more graphic tale:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGi51E64P8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plgIifpBeYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hngwUt7Zxjs

"When I'm with you - I can't control myself" Indeed!

10 days later, after a successful series of shows in Boston and surrounding areas, violet violet returned to New York City for one final gig before heading back home.

This time at Arlene's Grocery, which is just round the corner from their first show at Cake Shop.

Prior to their performace, I did a catch-up interview with the band, and that can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj3Vts5KtAk

and part 2 here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8sVvy93jxI

It did rain slightly - but then cleared up

This t-shirt would result in some unexpected attention later on in the night.

Respectability, I tell you!

Photos and pre-show interview out of the way, it was soon showtime.

With a bit of borrowed equipment, the ladies delivered another blistering set of tunes:

Here, the song about how they lost their C-C-Cat's to boyfriends:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsoh5ObdBvM

Here the band delivers a song so new that it is in fact untitled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwoK0IioHHk

Any suggestions you might have as what might make a good title would be given serious consideration by the band. The drums totally rock in this one.

violet violet play a style of music that is very appealing to me. I like their quirky and edgy songs. There is a tremendous amout of vocal interplay between them, with one member frequently inserting a single word inbetween what another is singing. The chord progressions are unique and creative. What gives it all this tremendous rock feel is the never-lazy drumming. Not content to just tap out a 4-4 beat, Fliss uses her entire set throughout each song.

After their set, a young man came up to me and told me he liked my AC/DC shirt. He asked if I liked the band. Of course I said yes. He then said "my dad is in the band". I looked at him and said "who's your dad?" He said "Malcom Young".

Since AC/DC were playing show in New York this week, I guess I shouldn't have been all that surprised that members of their entourage and family were out and about. As he had just seen the show, he said he was quite impressed with violet violet as well.

It only added a very cool twist to what was already a great night out.

Before I said goodbye to the band, I demanded they write me love notes on photos:

Sweetly, they obliged

Come to the UK? My bags are half-packed.

Good times, good times!

Find out more about violet violet at these significant links:

http://www.myspace.com/violetviolet1

http://www.nrone.co.uk/