Day two at CMJ was kind of a shit-show. I guess the number of bands, different venues, and distance between each place really hit me. Not to mention that if you rush to get to the next venue just before a killer band goes on, most likely you’ll be crammed in the back or you might be out of luck if they’re at capacity…a term that doesn’t fare well.
That being said, I was able to see some pretty great shows. Marnie Stern rocked out the downstairs of the Cake Shop as part of Terrorbird’s showcase. Marnie has become one of my new favorite acts, and her live shows definitely explain why her CMJ performances have become the talk of music town. Everyone was packed in, including the trio, on a tiny stage lit by Christmas lights. The music was heavy rock with Marnie at times finger-hammering on the frets like an 80’s metal band. Black Sabbath style power chords mixed with Zach Hill’s drumming, some of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Remember Santana’s drum solo in the movie Woodstock (or if you were actually there)? Zach played like this on every song. Energy drinks anyone?
I was also able to check out the ASCAP showcase at the Canal Room, an extremely enjoyable venue in New York. Group Love’s set was the most talked about of the night, and the latest news is that they’ve been picked up by Atlantic Records. They’re playing again tonight at Webster Hall with Two Door Cinema Club.
Over at the Delancey, the set times got pushed back which made for some confusion. San Diego’s Tape Deck Mountain somehow lost a guitar in transit from their earlier gig at The Rock Shop. With a borrowed Fender Mustang from another band, singer and guitarist Travis was able to play their psychedelic heavy rock in the dark and sweaty basement venue.
The performance of the night has to go to Rich Aucoin from Halifax, Canada. Ice Cream Man has been following Rich for sometime now, and we were finally able to see his live set which can only be described as a somewhat religious experience. Rich opened up the night Arlene’s Grocery for the Canadian Blast showcase.
He started out by passing around old school 3D glasses, to help with the visuals that accompany his electronic music. There were glow sticks, strobe lights, a video projector, balloons, and even a giant parachute (which the crowd all fit under and where we danced together). Rich frequently moved around the room, including dancing on the bar. The only other way to describe it would be like seeing Daft Punk play on stage with the theatrics of the Flaming Lips. Wayne Coyne would approve.
