Where I indulge in the overrated phenomenon of a year-end list and discover my bias for sullen songs over happy ones; 20 most-loved songs of the year, with a self-imposed rule of one song per artist so as to not make it entirely pointless.
Showcase after showcase, through the early afternoon and the late night, complete with after parties, Cake Shop was abuzz with CMJ activities last week. On his way to see Cotton Jones for the second time at Pianos, Kashish stopped by to catch several performances: City Center upstairs, Phosphorescent closing the Chouette showcase downstairs and drawing a solid turn-out (Cake Shop hit full capacity); preceded by Castanets, and followed by what Kashish described as “hilarious boy-band mockers” Picture Picture, who opened the New York Noise 5 Year Anniversary line-up—they were voted the worst act of Day 4 by Pop Tarts Suck Toasted: “Who ordered a two piece karaoke act to the Cake Shop? Seriously this band was amazing in how awful they could be! No backing band, just two dudes and a sampler playing corny disco riffs as the shouted over it. Stupid!” All pics by Kashish.
Woah, what an impressive Tuesday we have here!
Le Poisson Rouge: Yes, you may say that one-time Mum touring member Olof Arnalds is indeed somewhat of a Joanna Newsom in Icelandic. Except, instead of being “freak folk”, her solo work is freakishly folk, compared to the decidedly contemporary sound we get from most Icelandic bands in the indie landscape, including Mum. But who knew Icelandic folk could be so damn lovely. I’m not sure how Arnalds did at South Streeat Seaport this past Sunday when she played the East Village Radio Festival, since that doesn’t seem like the ideal venue for her, but Le Poisson Rouge should pretty much be perfect. She plays an early show that’ll also feature a set from Skuli Sverrisson, with whom she has worked in the past. Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Deerhunter is playing a late show, and one that is not part of the tour scheduled for later this year with BARR, Knyfe Hyts and Vivian Girls.
More bands and all mp3 links after the jump.
Death by Audio: As you’ll see in the picture after the jump, Brooklyn’s City Center makes music with percussion and lots of cables. Says one-man-band Fred, “It sounds like rattle rattle rattle sparrkkkkk wheeeerrrrrr,” which of course sounds kind of fabulous. He’s playing with old friend Hawnay Troof, who he insists is the one of the “party starters of our generation”, and whose record release is the occasion for the party tonight. Joining them are Vivian Girls, Urxed, and special guest(s). Urxed is mainly Robert Barber, who also plays in High Places, which Fred claims is quite possibly his favorite band after The Grateful Dead and Joy Division(!).
More bands and all mp3 links after the jump.
