CMJ: Redemption!

Despite the lackluster start of our CMJ music week, we feel it has been redeemed--our ears are buzzing and our feet hurting from last night's line-up of fantastic talent.

The NME showcase at The Delancey took the cake with a dancey bill consisting of Yes Giantess, Dolorean, The Antlers and Bear Hands followed with a droney, stargaze, late night set from special guests, The xx. We still can't get the catchy chorus from "Crystalised" out of our head...well that, and we just uploaded our front-row iPhone video...

NOTE: turn your speakers down for The xx video, the recording is pretty loud

Dolorean

We did check out the AAM party at The Suffolk which hosted a few buzzy bands like Surf City; who didn't quite rock our world, but on their behalf, were a bit diluted by the big venue and not so big crowd.

One of the great things we love about our Lower East Side stomping grounds are the familiar faces we always seem to run into on the street. Last night's sighting was our friends Matt and Tyler who run Lefse Records. We had a nice chat en route about the insta-cred of their bands Neon Indian and the rising career of SD's own Tape Deck Mountain. These guys are definitely on to something and we couldn't be more excited for them.

Our night/morning concluded with our first dose of 3 a.m. munchies from our favorite post-show NY pizza joint, Ray's on Houston near our hotel. The employees were super excited to pose for their SDDIALEDIN debut.

Today, our friends at Planetary and Future Sounds threw a great party at Pianos. We kicked up our feet up for what seemed to be hours of great music, including a delicious spoonful of folk and harmonies from the campy trio, The Wheel, from Denver. Their stage banter was hilarious as they sipped shots of whiskey between songs--yes, this afternoon. Makes us want to pitch a tent with these guys--literally.

Another perk of our day was the five-finger discount we were allowed for band merch in the 7-10 Music office. Don't be surprised if we look like super fans, sporting The Virgins, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and AA Bondy schwag, the next time you see us.

On that note, it's 9pm and time to hit the scene...

~INDIGENOUS

CMJ: First Takes

Greetings from CMJ in New York City-- the annual music conference put on by College Music Journal designed to showcase up and coming talent. So far, the most interesting thing we've seen is this fish tank...

In all seriousness, we have yet to be blown away by any of the bands this year, but the weekend is still young. Our days have been filled with meetings with our favorite minds in the music biz and eating a lot of fantastic food, while enjoying the best of Manhattan neighborhoods, the Lower East Side. Oh, and we brought the sunshine with us - the fall weather is perfect.

The bands who are buzzing this year are:

Freelance Whales -- still unsigned, yet industry eyes are upon them. Our friend, Ian, said it best, "if a bomb went off at their showcase yesterday at Bowery, half of the music industry would have been demolished."

Surfer Blood

Small Black

Bands we've seen:

@ SPIN Party:

Samuel - pop artist, just got signed to Columbia

Temper Trap - like the music, the band's appearance really threw us -- take a listen on myspace and then look at the photos, you'll get the drift.

@ The Rumble Brooklyn:

Casxio - discolicious, a Future Sounds favorite

Teenage Prayers - Brooklyn band

@ A Random Late Night Showcase:

Thephilous London

Ninja Sonik -- wins award for most entertaining (so far)...partly due to the drunk rocker chick on stage who's sole role was to grind on the band members and head bang to songs like "Somebody Gonna Get Pregnant." These guys were so blazed, we're surprised they remembered the words.

Ninja Sonik

@ Cake Shop:

Naam -- lovely, loud and heavy rock n roll... Beware-- shirtless drummer. Note: Cake Shop on the Lower East Side is the coolest coffee shop/bar/record store/music venue we've ever seen.

~INDIGENOUS

Wanna Play CMJ?

This is the final week San Diego bands can apply to showcase at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon in NYC. The festival, known for it's eclectic music takeover of NYC has worked out quite well for some San Diego bands in the past, including Crocodiles and Lady Dottie & The Diamonds.

Bands can apply here until midnight on Wed. 7/15.