Remember how day one of CMJ was all about the blogs? Well, day two was also sort of all about the blogs, or at least one in particular, NYC-based Ear Farm, offering up the most appealing daytime option with its free showcase of bands as eclectic as its voices and subjects.
Arriving late, I unfortunately missed the Howlies, but got there in time to catch Sister Suvi, a weighty-rock threesome from Montreal/Toronto, consisting of bass, drums and either ukulele (!!) or guitar. All three members pitch in on singing from time to time, but the chesty/throaty voice of frontwoman Merril Garbus is really what adds the final blow to their punch.
Drink Up, Buttercup were as ridiculously fun as anyone could imagine a band with that kind of name would have to be. Hint: it included a garbage can, a melodica, and a closer with handclaps and a performance in the audience. Their percussive, choral, perky pop reminded me of fellow Philadelphians Papertrigger. If these two went on tour together it would be so FUN. It would be the shout-a-long, pound on whatever you can find event of the year. Please, someone, make that happen.
Drink Up, Buttercup, “Mr Pie Eyes” (download)
Taking the stage suited and with projector screen, Project Jenny, Project Jan played speedy, aggressive electronica, demanding to know, “Why are you so paranoid?” but if anyone was feeling paranoid, it could very well have been because they were the perfect soundtrack.
Sam Champion and Takka Takka were yet to come – but even music journalists need to relax and eat, and during CMJ, it’s impossible to take a breath without wondering what you’re missing. (more…)
