After a whirlwind trip to New York, I’m finally back in the Radio 3 studio!
Here are some highlights from my CMJ adventures:
:: Watching Blue Hawaii perform their second show ever at the Williamsburgh Music Hall. Though Raph was getting over the flu, that didn’t seem to affect her stunning vocals. The crowd was small in comparison to Braids’ packed show at the venue later that night, but it almost made it a bit more special.
:: The Canadian Blast showcase at Arlene’s Grocery was full of great performances by Bikini, Papermaps, The Reason, Data Romance and Dinosaur Bones. It felt like a reunion of sorts – the room was filled with familiar faces from across the country – bands (The Mohawk Lodge, Sex with Strangers, The Elwins), festival organizers, labels (White Whale, Mint & more) and R3 listener Phillip Turner – who took control of the dancefloor! It was definitely a fantastic start to the fest.
:: Purity Ring was definitely one of CMJ’s biggest buzz bands, and lived up to the hype at their Pianos show. It was absolutely packed, and though almost impossible to move, it was great to see the crowd groove to ‘Belispeak’.
:: Edmonton’s Shout Out Out Out Out debuted new material at their gig at Dominion. After wrapping their set with ‘In the End It’s Your Friends’, the crowd chanted for more! (The house DJ spun a remix of Dolly Parton’s 'Jolene' to drown us out – at least he knew how to distract me.) Excited for the new album, which will be out in the new year!
:: Poutine, a fantastic lineup and a free show – what’s not to love about M for Montreal’s showcase?! As per usual, my favourite multitasker Miracle Fortress (Graham VanPelt) wowed the crowd with his carefully crafted live set. Watching him loop guitar lines, sing, play samples and a drum pad, run lights – all while managing to incorporate some dance moves with flashlights in his hands – it’s quite impressive. Having a drummer performing with him also added another element to the fantastic live set.
Coming up, an interview with Toronto’s The Elwins!
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