At first glance, CMJ 2012 looked to continue the long, sad tradition of CMJ not being what it once was, with a dearth of big-name acts. But do you go to CMJ to see big-name acts? No, it’s for catching the million-and-one up-and-coming indie outfits out there (and it only seems like most of them are from Brooklyn), as well as showcases by labels, site, PR companies, magazines, and anyone else who feels like putting one on. Plus the free drinks. And there was much to be found, Tuesday to Saturday, October 16th to 20th:
A lot of the bands at CMJ 2012 seemed to be taking Saturday off, or just taking off (from New York) on Saturday, leading to a line-up that was less than one might have expected on the only weekend day of the festival. Truth be told, your correspondent was tempted to take the day off, but persevered thanks to MyFreeConcert.com and (who else?) FADER Fort:
MyFreeConcert.com party @ Living Room – Ted Chase
Incan Abraham, 5:40pm
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After four days of a CMJ fuller than in recent years, was a little spent by Saturday (losing my wallet didn’t help – but then it was found & returned to me!). But did go to Living Room (QRO venue review) for the showcase by the other site with a great CMJ Preview (though still not as good as ours…), MyFreeConcert.com.
Incan Abraham were very alt-jammy, with a lot of groovin’ by the band and the healthy crowd.
Cultfever, 6:10pm
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More of the seventies end of the spectrum were Cultfever, who had some rockin’ energy with an engaging frontwoman.
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FADER Fort – Ted Chase
Chairlift, 7:30pm
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But then I heard that the special guest headliner for the final night of FADER Fort was Divine Fits (see below), so headed back to the Fort for one more night. Did have to wait on line outside, but not for that long.
Before Divine Fits was another special guest, Chairlift, whose airy electronica was less effective in the chatty, crowded Fort. Working better was Nick Catchdubs, the DJ, who had the crowd dancing more than any other DJ at FADER Fort.
Divine Fits, 8:40pm
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The team-up between Britt Daniel (of Spoon – QRO live review) and Daniel Hoeckner (of Handsome Furs & Wolf Parade – QRO live review), Divine Fits were the special guest to close out FADER Fort. Like on their debut album (QRO review), the Daniel songs sounded like Spoon songs, the Hoeckner songs like Wolf Parade songs, but some of that is probably psychosomatic. Live, they really put it out there, with a tight FADER Fort crowd really adding to the visceral energy, especially killing it with “My Love Is Real”.
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Life or Death PR showcase @ 92YTribeca
For the final day of his CMJ 2012, Donald Lee went to 92YTribeca (QRO venue review) to catch Dogbite, Starred, Twerps, Jozef Van Wissem, Slug Guts, Mac DeMarco, Sky Ferreira, and Maria Minerva at the showcase by Life or Death PR:
Dogbite
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Starred
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Twerps
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Jozef Van Wissem
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Slug Guts
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Mac DeMarco
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Sky Ferreira
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Maria Minerva
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Unfortunately missed:
-Port St. Willow (QRO photos) @ ARMS (QRO album review) @ Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1 (QRO venue review), 2:15pm – 4:15pm.
-Caveman (QRO album review) @ Public Assembly (QRO venue review), 5:00pm – 5:45pm.
