CMJ (College Media Journal) Music Marathon and Film Festival is an annual convention and festival that was held from October 21-25, 2008, in New York City. In addition to panels on the creative, marketing and legal aspects of the music world, the highlight was the performance by nearly 1000 artists at venues and clubs throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Here's my top 5 to make it a little more digestible.
1) SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS
www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
www.semipreciousweapons.com
Semi Precious Weapon's fashionable four have more going for them than just good looks and glamorous get-ups. Beyond the Fetty-adorned surface is a substantial musical foundation rooted in formal training and a penchant for grunge, metal, and classic rock. An astounding live show fraught with magnetic attitude and mesmerizing athleticism unfolds more like a Broadway performance set to rock steady songs, all which can be heard on the band’s recently released We Love You. Semi Precious Weapons, we love you, too.
(October 21, 2008 at Arlene’s Grocery)
(October 24th at Perez Hilton's "One Night in New York City Showcase at the Highline Ballroom)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) BLACK TAXI
www.myspace.com/blacktaximusic
www.blacktaximusic.com
Attire ranging from feathered masks, top hats, and patriotic capes, Black Taxi create a memorable image but leave a longer lasting musical impression with their bluesy riffs, blazing guitar solos, and thumping bass beats overlain by throaty vocals and jazzy trumpeting. Black Taxi’s immediately appealing swagger and biting bravado put them at the top of the CMJ music chain. The good news for the newly hooked is that Black Taxi will be releasing an EP on November 22, and celebrating with a show in their home city of New York at the Mercury Lounge.
(October 21st at Arlene's Grocery)
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3) THE WHIP
www.myspace.com/thewhipmanchesterwww.thewhip.net
(October 23, 2008, at The Annex)
Although these Mancunians wail, “I wanna be trash…,”electronic experts know that The Whip will never attain the status of rubbish. Hypnotic synthesizers and samples, buzzing bass, and disco house beats merge into sultry and impossibly irresistible dance grooves. The Whip’s album X Marks Destination is available online and through Myspace. A variety of remixes composed by electronic contemporaries are downloadable on iTunes.
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4)
OUTERNATIONAL
www.myspace.com/outernational
www.outernational.net
Outernational’s fusion of rock, punk, ska, hip hop, reggae, and Afrobeats, produces their very own hard world music genre. A band with a peacemaking message, Outernational bestows music for the masses and represents the ability to transform differences into a universally appealing sound. The low drop Crash Mansion ceilings could not put a lid on the band’s volatile vibe and the crowd’s equally frenzied response.
(October 22, 2008, at Crash Mansion “Downstairs”)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) LADY GAGA
www.myspace.com/ladygaga
http://www.ladygaga.com/
With a combination of complex hip-hop, robotic, and modern dance choreography, runway costuming, elaborate lighting, and infectious rhythms, this electro-pop princess takes performance art to a breathtaking level. Lady Gaga’s striking presence and staging make for a must-see live act that will make you want to “just dance.” Check out Lady Gaga’s debut album The Fame.
(October 24, 2008, at Perez Hilton’s “One Night in New York City” Showcase at Highline Ballroom)
Hey there Foundtrack-ers! Meijin here, bringing you some exciting New York rock ‘n’ roll updates. Finishing off 2008 with a bang, I made my way to the Big Apple for a week to follow up on a couple fantastic acts I was privileged to experience at October’s CMJ Music Marathon.
Before heading east, I had organized a phone interview with Semi Precious Weapons through their label Razor and Tie. Right on schedule, Justin Tranter, lead vocalist of SPW, telephoned from Brooklyn during his peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch to talk band and beyond. Later that day, Justin went out of his way to send my questions to his band mates, and armed with this inside info, I formulated “20 Semi Precious Questions: An Interview with Semi Precious Weapons,” which is featured in All Access Magazine. SPW will be in town March 10th at Bar Pink, San Diego and March 11th at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. And for one more Semi Precious Weapons treasure, download a remix of “Magnetic Baby” by their fellow “Hell on Heels” tour company, Von Iva! (See photo on left : Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons ; Photo Credits Todd Owyoung)
A few days after the interview, I partied with the Brooklyn boys at “Playhouse” at Cain Luxe, and was informed about a “secret” show they were playing at Trash!, a weekly party in Webster Hall’s downstairs space. I arrived before midnight (early by New York standards) just in time to catch me a new find, Philly-based Liam and Me. LAM’s leading man Matt O’Dowd took my business card seriously and promptly followed up on sending me “Pretender,” and their single “Say It Out Loud.” Shouting along with Semi Precious Weapons’ 2 a.m. set, dancing ‘til daylight, and discovering my new favorite Eastern export made for a memorable evening. Please read up on Liam and Me and download their single on iTunes! ( See photo; Liam and Me; Photo Credits: Shawn Corrigan)
For the finale of my NYC stint, I maneuvered my way to Brooklyn for my first time in single-digit wind chills to claim my list-spot for Outernational’s show at The Music Hall of Williamsburg with the legendary Slackers. Outernational's performance and warm welcome kept winter off my mind, and their guitarist, Leo Mintek, finalized our plan for a sit down interview the next day. Take some time out and enjoy this exclusive interview with Outernational before they come out west for Warped Tour 2009. (See photo left; Outernational)
