CMJ, Like Everything’s Just Fine, Like Always

On Tuesday, October 20, Peter Silberman, the lead singer/guitarist of Brooklyn’s The Antlers stood on stage and said to the crowd at Music Hall in Williamsburg, “Welcome to CMJ. Is anyone hung over yet?”

It was the first of  five nights of CMJ, the frenetic New York music festival that may or may not matter Read More

Last Days of CMJ

I tried to see the fabulous Vivian Girls Friday night, I really did. But you see, the Cake Shop is tiny. Bands play in a basement the size of a small living room. By the time I showed up around 9—less than midway through a six-band line-up the Vivian Girls were headlining at Read More

CMJ Day 2: Todd P vs. Red Bull

Leave it to Todd P to host his anti-CMJ parties at an outdoor park in late October. But as the saying goes, Mr. P works in mysterious ways. On Tuesday, Brooklyn’s famed DIY concert promoter announced that starting Wednesday, every night of CMJ madness would be countered with a free party at Williamsburg’s Continental Read More

CMJ Day 1: Swedish Pop at the Bowery Ballroom

I imagined CMJ’s opening night to be a mightier affair. I envisioned stumbling home with my ears ringing from all the buzz-worthy showcases scattered across Manhattan and Brooklyn, cursing myself for not catching this one or that one. But there was no reason to stress the launch of the annual music and film festival last Read More

Hot Tickets: Our Best Picks for CMJ ’08

This time next week Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and a decent section of midtown will be swarming with all manner of scraggly young men and women hoping to break a few strings, drink a couple beers and sign a couple record contracts. That’s right, CMJ is coming to town. Beginning next Tuesday, Oct. 21, and over Read More

CMJ Guide For the Jaded

Ah, yes. The CMJ Music Marathon has arrived. The hype machines have been churning their sprockets at full speed this past month, leading up to the week-long festival, which will showcase 1,000 bands. The festival offers music labels and industry suits a glimpse at the new crop of young talent, although it’s more of Read More