Needless to say, I was flattered to be invited to represent WIUX by speaking on a panel at the CMJ Music Marathon. For the unacquainted, the College Music Journal (College radio's Billboard, essentially) hosts an annual weeklong conference in New York City for bands, music-industry personnel and representatives from college-radio stations all over the country. The marathon allows the underground and underrepresented to make the pilgrimage to New York for some great panels, shows and networking opportunities, and this year, I was in the thick of it.\nI arrived late in the game but was still able to take part in two days of the festival. The days usually started with events planned on New York University's campus and other select locations in Manhattan. However, after a few hours of sharing advice and strengthening bonds in the already tight-knit college-radio community, the army of 20-somethings, fueled by energy drinks and a passion for music, descended upon the city to enjoy the many shows that were free to all CMJ attendees. As my duty to you, dear reader, the following is a summary of some of the best performances and up-and-coming artists I was able to see:
St. Vincent at the Knitting Factory\nIt doesn't matter that they went on an hour later than scheduled, Annie Clark and crew put on an outstanding show. The band was tight, the crowd was ecstatic and Clark's ability to go, in the blink of an eye, from an adorable, soft-spoken woman to a formidable rock star was amusing.
iLiKETRAiNS at The White Rabbit\niLiKETRAiNS, the doomy post-rock powerhouse from the U.K., had never played a show in the States until the CMJ Music Marathon. Unlike other post-rock bands, the band's vocals aren't indecipherable and merely part of the ambiance. Don't be surprised if its epic sound, great stage presence and creepy slide shows make their way across the pond again soon.
The Epochs at Brooklyn Academy of Music Cafe\nAlthough the BAM Cafe wasn't an easy venue to find, it had a great atmosphere that was suited to the Epochs' fresh yet familiar sound. The unsigned band was pleased to be playing in its hometown. The crowd of college students and faculty and some curious Brooklynites was receptive to this little-known band. If you're into music that is upbeat and has great hooks but isn't "pop" per se, you should definitely check out the Epochs.
