The 2010 CMJ Festival in New York City is fast approaching, and Austin Writes Music will be on the scene this year to report our findings and listen to as much music as possible. If you, too, are heading to NYC, or you’d just like the skinny on some up-and-coming bands, you’ve found the right post. For the next few days up until we head outta town, we’ll be posting previews of the bands we wanna see at CMJ. Admittedly, CMJ is totally overwhelming; after spending 3 hours listening to bands last night, I managed to only get through one hour of ONE day of the festival. So, if your favorite band is playing the festival, let us know! If you’ve heard interesting buzz about somebody, clue us in. This blog is here to serve, after all, so help us cover the bands you’re interested in. Below is a preview of the bands we’re most excited for and/or curious about playing on Tuesday, Oct. 19.
Lawrence Arabia is a folksy-rock fellow from New Zealand. I’ve heard nothing but good things from friends who’ve seen him and his band live, so this is a group I’m going to try very hard to catch at least once during the festival. They play at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Le Poisson Rouge.
Alfonso Velez was one of my discoveries last night as I scoured the schedule. He’s a New York native that plays delicate, emotional folk-pop; think Travis as a one-man band. He plays at 7 p.m. on Stage 1 at the Rockwood Music Hall.
Another late-night discovery. Luluc is a Brooklyn-by-way-of-Melbourne duo that creates lullabies for adults; their soft, breezy love songs will make you feel small and vulnerable. These two are at the Living Room at 7 p.m.
Quilty are a Brooklyn band that create catchy, punky and raw music; check out “Supernova” on their MySpace page. The trio plays the Knitting Factory at 7 p.m.
sleepy vikings hail from Tampa, Fla., and their Americana-tinged pop does have that rubbing-the-sleep-from-your-eyes, morning-dew aura about it. They’ll be at Kenny’s Castaways at 7 p.m.
Baby Alpaca, apart from being an ADORABLE fuzzy animal, is a band from Brooklyn with a sound that’s a little shoegaze-y, a little moody, and totally gorgeous. They play at 7:30 p.m. upstairs at the Delancey.
One of my favorite pre-CMJ discoveries, Ma Mentor are from across the pond, and they sound like the Strokes if the Strokes suddenly decided to go electronic. They’re playing Pianos at 7:30 p.m.
The Barr Brothers are a four piece from Montreal that come off like a less bombastic Avett Brothers (which is a good thing). They’re playing at the Cameo Gallery at 7:30 p.m.
I’m incredibly excited to finally catch this band live. The Miniature Tigers played Lollapalooza this year, and have been touring all over the place. They come home to New York for CMJ, and they play the Music Hall of Williamsburg at 9:45 p.m. Try “Cannibal Queen” to see for yourself how crazy-catchy their pop rock tunes can be.
Jenny Lewis, people. Siren. Musiker. Queen of indie rock. She’s one bad mother shut-your-mouth, so basically I will follow her through whatever incarnation she deems fit to play in, whether it be solo, with her band Rilo Kiley, or with her beau Johnathan Rice. The pair will perform at the Irving Plaza at midnight.
Don’t forget to drop your suggestions for bands we should cover in the comments below! We could particularly use your help if you can point us in the direction of bands that can’t be described as “folksy.” (I was raised on Nanci Griffith! I’m predisposed to love folk!! I’M SORREEEE!!!)