Whether or not you’ve heard otherwise, CMJ is a music festival unlike any other that graces the venues of New York City. Though SXSW might be our pick for top marathon festival of the year, the College Music Journal’s annual tradition is still a hot mess in the best way possible. There are over 1,300 bands playing venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn this week, and with a badge, you can get into whichever shows you choose. How are you going to decide where to go and who to see? Hopefully this can help you make up your mind!
Like the graphics in this post? They were done by Lydia Conklin. She is a writer and cartoonist who is a recipient of a Pushcart Prize and fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, the James Merrill House, the Vermont Studio Center and Caldera. Find out more about her here.
My relationship with Modern Rivals (@ModernRivals) was love at first riff. Their May EP, Sea Legs, is absolutely killer, particularly for a band so young. The Brooklynites make high energy, colorful music glistening with tight harmonies and quirky hooks. The band packs just the right amount of punch for indie rock, with an outstandingly thoughtful and unique style. Modern Rivals have been garnering loads of positive attention from the press, so be sure to catch them fresh this year at CMJ. I guarantee it’ll be a show you won’t regret. – Terra Schneider
Thursday, October 18 (7:50pm): The Deli Magazine Showcase @ Delancy Downstairs (FREE)
I’ve been following the work of Field Mouse (@fieldmousemusic) since they formed in 2010, and I can say with confidence that they’ve been golden from the very beginning. The seasoned Brooklyn musicians make a dreamy mix of shoegaze and indie rock/pop led by Rachel Browne’s sweet vocals and the massively talented Andrew Futral on guitar. With their February release, You Guys Are Gonna Wake Up My Mom, as well as their recent addition of a permanent bassist and drummer, the band has a bright future. If you’ve been enjoying the influx of dream pop groups like Wild Nothing or Beach House lately, Field Mouse is a perfect set to catch live. — Terra Schneider
Tuesday, October 16: Lefse Showcase @ Pianos
Thursday, October 18 (3pm): I Guess I’m Floating Presents Floating Fest @ Pianos (FREE)
Friday, October 19 (10pm): Pianos and The Deli Magazine Showcase @ Pianos (FREE)
Saturday, October 20 (11:30pm): CAPESHOK and Small Plates Party @ Cake Shop (FREE)
One of Sub Pop’s finest new bands is about to take over New York City. Kyle Thomas’ debut full-length as King Tuff (@kingtuffy), aptly named King Tuff, is one hell of a rock record — a collection of charming garage-pop songs that land right smack dab in the middle of the two genres. The Vermont native will be putting his tunes on display this week at some of the CMJ’s best shows, including the Sub Pop Showcase on Thursday night at Knitting Factory (alongside Pissed Jeans, Metz, Poor Moon, Daughn Gibson, and Debo Band). — Eric Weiner
Thursday, October 18: Sub Pop Showcase @ Knitting Factory (Tickets)
Friday, October 19: @ City Reliquary
Friday, October 19: John Rambo Unofficial Showcase @ Cheap Storage (Tickets)
Unlike some of the other bands on this list, High Highs (@highhighs) aren’t going to thrash their way into your heart. Their music has been called “church wave” — there’s something about their soothing melodies and beautifully tranquil compositions that dig right in and make you fall in love. They’ve been on our radar since about this time last year when they released their High Highs EP. Now, with their debut album nearly done, the Australian duo of Jack Milas and Oli Chang are hitting CMJ to share their new music and hopefully garner even more well-deserved attention. – Eric Weiner
Wednesday, October 17: Windish Showcase @ Mercury Lounge (Tickets)
Thursday, October 18: The Wild Honey Pie and Lip Sync Music Present The Beehive (Sponsored by Beacon Audio) @ Bar Matchless (FREE/RSVP)
Saturday, October 20: Cameo Gallery and Tito’s Handmake Vodka Present @ Cameo Gallery (Tickets)
Saturday, October 20: Aussie BBQ Party @ The Delancey (FREE)
Labyrinth Ear (@labyrinthear) have a supernatural ability to make silky smooth tunes that all music listeners want (and need, really) to hear, which is why this group is one not to be missed at this year’s CMJ. Simply put, I’ve been entranced by this boy/girl duo from London for the past six months. From the transcending Apparitions EP to the progressive magic of single, “Urchin”, the duo weaves their synthy powers to create some of the most addictively chilling, down tempo beats this year. — Nikki Williams
Thursday, October 18 (12am): Windish Agency Showcase @ Pianos (Tickets)
Friday, October 19 (9:15pm): Danger Village Showcase @ Delinquency BLVD (FREE/RSVP)
Saturday, October 20 (8:30pm): Cameo Gallery and Tito’s Handmade Vodka Present @ Cameo Gallery
Mac DeMarco’s (@msldemarco) lo-fi, garage pop is truly like nothing else out there at the moment. As a writer from NPR said, he has his tongue heavily planted in his cheek despite his relatively dark-glam image and sound. The combination of an eerie baritone vocal, haunting yet somehow infectious guitar hooks and lightly paced percussion seems to gel uneasily yet sweetly at the same time. After changing his name from Makeout Videotape, Demarco now has a brand new album, 2 coming out in time for the festival. — Nikki Williams
Tuesday, October 16: MySocialList.com Presents @ Marlin Room at Webster Hall (Tickets)
Wednesday, October 17 (12pm): @ Delinquency BLVD (FREE)
Thursday, October 18: Hype Machine Handpicked @ Brooklyn Bowl (FREE/RSVP)
Thursday, October 18: Captured Tracks Showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Tickets)
Friday, October 19: Panache Booking Showcase @ Public Assembly (Tickets)
Friday, October 19: Pianos and The Deli Magazine Showcase @ Pianos (Tickets)
Saturday, October 20 (9:45pm): Life or Death Showcase @ 92YTribeca (Tickets)
A contender for one of the best albums of 2012, Matthew E. White (@amattwhitejoint) is certainly a name to look for in the future (not only his name, but the name of his brand new label, Spacebomb – the attic studio in his home where he recorded his debut album, Big Inner). Born in the Philippines and raised in Virginia, 30-year-old White soaked up the sounds of Newman, Nilsson, Sly and the Family Stone, and Dr. John and King Tubby (who are both featured on the album’s cover). As an experienced jazz arranger, White created the soulful, funky, southern, gospel sound that is his debut album. Carefully placed over lush orchestral and horn arrangements, his heartbreaking yet hopeful lyrics cover heavy subjects such as life, death, and spirituality. White is currently on tour with the Mountain Goats but will be playing one not-to-be-missed CMJ show at Union Pool.
– Jennifer Bergen
Tuesday, October 16: @ Bowery Ballroom (Tickets)
Wednesday, October 17: Team Clermont Showcase @ Union Pool (Tickets)
There’s only one word to describe Opossom’s (@____opossom____) amazing debut album Electric Hawaii — pristine. With the kind of pretty, swirling melodies that both capture interest and float by, the New Zealand band has been grabbing some serious attention. Boasting a delicate mixture of the psychedelia that’s all the rage right now and some of the purest pop hooks we’ve heard in a while, these guys are sure to come out of CMJ with even more buzz (if that’s possible) than they had coming in. — Hannah Angst
Wednesday, October 17: Team Clermont Showcase @ Union Pool (Tickets)
Thursday, October 18: Windish Agency Showcase @ Pianos (Tickets)
Thursday, October 18: The Wild Honey Pie and Lip Sync Music Present The Beehive (Sponsored by Beacon Audio) @ Bar Matchless (FREE/RSVP)
With a mix of hysteria and killer grooves that only the best post-punk bands can bring, Savages (@savagesband) absolutely live up their name. They’ve already become one of the most talked about acts of CMJ thanks to their collection of songs that are, for lack of a better word, savage. They have some serious expectations coming into CMJ, and they aren’t playing that many shows. If you can make it into the sure to be packed venues they’re playing, though, it will definitely be worth it. — Hannah Angst
Wednesday, October 17: Stereogum Party @ Glasslands (Tickets)
Thursday, October 18: ComplexMedia Presents Judgement Night @ House of Vans (RSVP)
Friday, October 19: @ Mercury Lounge (Tickets)
Saturday, October 20: Bowery Presents Party @ Pianos (FREE)
Hailing from Elmhurst, IL, The Orwells (@theorwells) have been tearing it up with their high energy punk shows. The band released their debut album, Remember When, this past summer on Autumn Tone records, were added last minute to the FYF line up and just premiered their video, “Halloween All Year” on Pitchfork — not bad for five kids who haven’t even graduated high school. They’ve been barreling down the the well-trodden path of underage bands fighting to get booked at bars, and they’re not shy about worshiping at the altar of Atlanta flower punks, Black Lips. For some unpretentious, wannabe bad-boy rock and roll, get yourself to an Orwells gig this CMJ. — Catie Ginsburg
Tuesday, October 16: CMJ Aquarium Drunkard: No Jacket Required @ Mercury Lounge (Tickets)
Wednesday, October 17: Noisey Presents Acid Alumni @ Santos Party House (RSVP)
Friday, October 19: Planetary Showcase @ Pianos (FREE)
Saturday, October 20: Brooklyn Vegan @ Public Works (FREE)
Saturday, October 20: Bowery Presents @ Pianos (FREE)
We fell in love with Fenster when we stumbled upon one of their shows earlier this year and cannot wait to see them return to the US for CMJ. The German band’s debut, Bones, is just as compelling for its sunny, sweet pop as for its slightly off-putting darkness — the music shines brightest, though, when the two qualities are brought together. On top of their unique sound, they put on one hell of an energetic show. The album is great, but we promise you’ll love it more after seeing them live. — Hannah Angst
Friday, October 19: Official Showcase @ Trash Bar (Tickets)
These Louisville natives are definitely our pick for “band with the most to gain at CMJ”. Murals’ (@themurals) debut album, On A Passing Cloud, was self-released this July and saw a unanimously positive reception (including Pitchfork who compared the band to a favorite of mine, Arthur & Yu). At CMJ this year, they’re playing some of the best parties and showcases: BANNERS (The Wild Honey Pie, Cantora, Black Bell, Modern Art, Pianos, Round Hill Music Publishing), Bowery Presents, Pianos and The Deli Magazine, and Aquarium Drunkard’s No Jacket Required. — Eric Weiner
Tuesday, October 16: The Wild Honey Pie, Round Hill Music, Cantora Records, Black Bell Records, Modern Art Records, and Pianos Present BANNERS @ Pianos (FREE)
Thursday, October 18: The Wild Honey Pie and Lip Sync Music Present The Beehive (Sponsored by Beacon Audio) @ Bar Matchless (FREE/RSVP)
Thursday, October 18: Windish Agency Showcase @ Pianos (Tickets)
