Wed, 12/31/69
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The annual CMJ Music Marathon brought an exciting buffet of music to New York City last week – including a handful of newcomers to the scene that are worthy of being on your radar. Some rocked and shocked crowds all week long – others had only moments to get their shine on to the captive crowd. Here are a few handfuls of CMJ acts that had that URB flavor. Sorry if we didn’t go into great detail about the bands. We have lives too, and we can talk about them all night. We want you to read all the bands and maybe even drop them a line on their twitter pages, which have been linked into their name.
1. Zambri
Two Italian girls meet for a spaghetti dinner and have a bunch microphones and cool electronic vibes. Two men behind them describe their last name that takes charge with Brooklyn-ite Lake Erie combinations. Weird stuff for those who shoot for whacky sister combos. Its amazing and deep electrification, perfect for your Halloween.
2. Trash Talk
Complete punk destruction that made the cover of NY TIMES. A guy left the show with a bloody lip, in the beginning of the show at CAKE shop. He said it was awesome, his lip agreed.
3. U M O – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Took Fader Fort by storm. Their show is more awesome than their twitter feeds, and rock n roll is ready for FADER fort. Portland kids crush it.
4. Kosha Dillz
Jewish rap with street flavor destroys and uplifts at the same time. If you think a guy can rap about garage sales, Sweatpants and kick super lyrical freestyles at the same time. Entertaining Emcees still exists. He amazes the crowd and garners attention from everyone in the room. If you like rap in Spanish and Hebrew, he even has that too. Perfect for those who drink a lot and don’t understand rappers anyway…
5. Kendrick Lamar
The voice of Compton, California has travelled the entire globe and has done it with no major financial backing at all. Completely independent and a voice that reaches the world with lyrics. Did you hear his track with Nosaj Thing? Amazing. This guy is here to stay.
6. Headless Horsemen
Greedhead has more vibes than just Das Racist. This band played 9 showcases and Pianos was the last show. Lead singer is an original drummer that looks like one part Kumar and one part swinger like Vince Vaughn. If you want to see Tribal Sex music from the vision of Pabst Blue Ribbon consumers, including drummer duos, a xylophonist with barefoot back up singing – check out these Horsemen.
7. Shinobi Ninja
Rock Hood out of Brooklyn NYC. They happened to do that with the help of A Tribe Called Quest member Jairobi White on Friday, and again at Arlene’s on Saturday. In Billboard this month. Swag. I think I am still seeing doubles of the 10,000 fliers they passed out during the week of CMJ. I get it guys… You friggin rule.
8. Lily and the Parlour Tricks
If prostitution was legal in NYC, Lily is the Madame and the squad behind them are the workers. She is a female pimp songstress that moves the crowd. She has been getting buzz and giving out condoms at her shows. The goal is to get you to have sex while listening to her music. We still have late night infomercials on but I think next time if we can get a cd we might at last imagine us having sex to her music with fellow concert goers. With that being said, lets update our J Date profiles with Lily and The Parlour Tricks as our musical taste. Would you like to go to a concert?
9. Soul Khan
The next big thing out of NY with comical Sarcasm, looks like a rapper from Office Space that is the voice of Occupy Wall Street MCs with witty punchlines that’ll knock out some hedge fund bastard. Not sure if that makes sense but I think the majority of NY will agree his songs are lyrical for the blue collar man with a white collar job. His Dominion appearance is no wonder he has landed a spot on the Fun Fun Fun Fest this year in Austin.
10. Weapons of Audio
They only performed once, but their name and stickers popped up all over the eastside late in CMJ week in anticipation of their performance. The handsome blood-brothers genre melting flow electrified a Dominion crowd on Friday night in a short set that included not only a Chuck Berry duck walk by guitarist Jeremy Daniels – but also their smanger, synthesized soul single “Night Light,” co-produced by the brothers and Grammy award winner Graham Marsh. Look out for this power duo of ATLiens turned Los Angelenos to takeover in 2012 and beyond.
11. Born Gold
I would rather be born gold than be born silver or bronze , and I’m unsure whether their previous name of Gobble Gobble is not as good as this one. (I think they could’ve made it on Yo Gabba Gabba with the band name Gobble Gobble) They took CMJ by storm, dance and party…and that much for the rest of the world as well. Canada knows how to rock…aye?
12. Ducky
While you continue to dance your ass off, or at least your cash off, think Ducky. Think San Fran transplant meets NYU college student meets space cadet meets meets selfself produced talent with real performance skills and her own movement. While west coast kids swag and dirty south kids bounce, Ducky fans will quack. Its the duckling movement. Ask everyone who was at DROM. We are all little ducks and she is our fearless leader.
13. Party Supplies
A Trak did not sign this guy for nothing. He might be the only CMJ artist to be currently singing and playing live beats at the biggest party of CMJ (the fools gold party that had the half a mile line) while only a few years back he was on tour with Gza of Wu Tang Clan. Now he rocks out live , sings, and has album coming out with Action Bronson, who seems to be on every show that was ever made, from cooking, to Carson Daly, to the rap shows at SOBs. Bring your cone hats everyone, Party Supplies is here stay.
14. Gauntlet Hair
I didn’t know that something so loud, would get louder and louder during performances. They have had some success along the way, but I think their name deserves just as much recognition as a Kosha Dillz or Radical Dads. Their music is awesome enough to put them on the road with UMO and I think if the Fader loves them as well…and wait…I feel like they would beat Tennis in a dual of Denver noise.
15. Zola Jesus
This gals music sounds triumphant in the face of adversity. Think Russian daughter of Ivan Drago meets farm life of Brett Favre in Wisconsin vs Industrial Electrocution. Her name however sounds like a mix between the legend of zelda and the son of the Virgin Mary. (Jesus?) I must say her NPR documented show at LPR was completely packed and her beauty speaks for itself.
The Best of Honorable Mentions of Awesome Ass Rappers: Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Stalley Kyle Rapps Fat Tony, the Shemspeed party and the long ass line outside Fool’s Gold Party at Tribeca Grand on Saturday night.
GREATEST CMJ Surprise guest: MOS DEF
If you were at Hustle Simmons party, he almost back handed a goon on the show while kicking out the rapper for going over his time set, Mos Def appeared on stage for an impromptu performance.
Best Thursday Party: Life or Death PR bash @ Cake Shop 10/20: View Pics Here shout to New York Metro Mix!
Friday Awesome Party: Heard Ent/Supergood Music/ Root Music party @ Dominion 10/21
Saturday Kick Ass Party: Greedhead Party @ Pianos 10/22 (can’t find photo gallery )
See you next year.
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