Chicago – The ghouls and goblins were ready to rage this Halloween at The Subterranean. Everyone from Sasquatch to Richard Nixon braced themselves for the chaos, until FIDLAR finally descended from the spiral staircase backstage to give the restless kindred spirits what they needed. Donned in matching blue graduation gowns and face makeup, FIDLAR, an
New York – After the victorious rush of the first night, the following night was highlighted by a super late set from the reconfigured Yuck. Their headlining set at Glasslands for the NME/Hate Hate Hate/Sunday Management CMJ party didn’t begin until around 1am, since drummer Jonny Rogoff was the only band member who had been able to
Seattle – MS MR are truly endearing on stage. While it’s been quite some time since the New York duo’s debut full-length album, Secondhand Rapture, was released (it came out in May) and the band has played countless sold out shows, they emit modesty and brazen appreciation for the support (totally deserved) that crowds across
Nashville – If you think the Macy Gray hit “I Try” should be confined to karaoke bars, you haven’t heard Friendly Savages cover it with their assortment of folky instruments and The Avett Brothers-esque harmonies. Their version doesn’t reveal some sort of hidden brilliance that we’ve all missed up to this point, but it is
New York – After two days of non-stop music consumption, I couldn’t decide who to see on Thursday, so in the end I took the night off and rested up for Friday, which was our second and final official CMJ 2013 showcase of the marathon It was another good one. This time, people gathered
New York – Well, CMJ 2013 was another whirlwind of music and networking and music and late nights more music. It was a full five days of the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan teaming with band members, racing from gig to gig and grabbing a quick slice or shot of espresso in between. Just watching
Los Angeles – There’s a fluid element to Skaters live show. They play really close together, even on a larger stage, and they move around each other in an accidental, random fashion. You expect it to run afoul… But it doesn’t. And then there’s the kissing. The band from New York started their show in
Nashville – Guitar virtuoso Gary Clark Jr. has gotten an outrageous amount of attention in the past few years. He was named Rolling Stone’s Best Young Gun, he has appeared alongside larger-than-life rockers like The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, and he’s even laid claim to May 3rd, the day dubbed “Gary Clark Jr. Day”
Austin – Watching Savages perform live is a necessary, energizing experience, a group bringing together the powerful guitar riffs of Gemma Thompson and invigorating percussive sounds from Fay Milton. Frontwoman Jehnny Beth leads the group with a strong, deep vocal component, sharing lyrics that are dark and simple, but never alienating to listeners. The fast
Los Angeles – The delicacy of Mike Milosh’s vocals and the sensuality that dripped from every lyric had more than few females in a bit of a carnal trance. As spontaneous make out sessions broke out, along with some church friendly groping, Rhye’s bedroom soliloquies had found its perfect venue. Outside was a different story.