CMJ CMJ CMJ YAYYYY
Ok so I clearly I have been crazy busy lately if I am just posting this now. But it’s life, and it’s happening, and it doesn’t stop. Anyways, I was lucky enough to go to CMJ and it filled me with such musical joy. While I would love to write about everything that happened, sadly I do not have the time to so here are some sweet moments I think you should know about.
TUESDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
The Antlers- I fell in love with this band when we got their new cd Hospice at the beginning of the semester. I mean it has a really dark theme but the cd basically sums up everything I went through this summer when my grandma passed away. Anyways I think that is always a cool thing when a band comes out with a cd that completely sums up something you’re going through. That being said, seeing The Antlers live pretty much blew my mind. One of the most beautiful and honest things I’ve heard in a really long time. They closed their set with the song Epilogue. It killed me. Seriously.
WEDNESDAY HIGLIGHTS:
Broadcast- What can I say? I’m a sucker for odd lo-fi bands. For an experimental band they put on quite the fantastic show. Other than their slightly creepy video playing behind them, they performed in complete darkness which needless to say made it really hard to get good pictures. Though they’re presence was mysterious and slightly spooky at times. Everyone seemed to be really into them. I really wanted to stay for Atlas Sound but the tired hit me pretty quick so I had to leave.
THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
Choir of Young Believers – I had heard of this band a few times and the few times that I did I really enjoyed them. I’m also pretty sure I listened to them on the way down to CMJ. I was even more impressed when I saw them live. They had a very intimate feel and a really awesome cellist that I thought gave the band a much more unique sound. They kind of sound like music that would come out of the forest. I apologize if my way of describing bands doesn’t please you, but I’m not quite sure how else to describe them.
Warpaint: Basically really grungy girls with guitars. I had my doubts at first but they grew on me and I realized they were surprisingly awesome. They grew on me even more when they brought out people in giant panda costumes. Like they were everywhere. And they had beer. And they were dancing. And they gave hugs to everyone . Overall really awesome show.
I should also mention that midway between shows I noticed someone wearing a waih button. Of course I thought it would be a good idea to tell him how awesome he is for wearing it. His name is Ken and he works for this really awesome website that you can find here. What was even cooler was that he had met most of the rest of The Waih as show here and he took my picture with one of the pandas shown here. I was terribly tired and it was awesome. He’s pretty cool in my book because he supports The Waih.
FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
The evening had started out when Amanda and myself attended a listening party where we got to chill out and listen to some upcoming releases from bands such as Final Fantasy, Beach House, and my personal favorite, Animal Collective. All of it was really awesome which made me pretty stoked to know some awesome music is on the horizon for The WAIH.
School of Seven Bells- I never thought this band could be as beautiful as they were live. Though they were dreamy, they were certainly not subtle. The music packed a punch and had everyone moving. Brilliant stage presence as well. One of those shows where you are pretty much in awe the whole time.
The xx- I. FELL. IN. LOVE. WITH. THIS. BAND. I can’t even think of words to describe this band so I will use the description CMJ gave them. “Hypnotic new wavish rock band interested in R&B and getting into your pants.” This band is just overall really gorgeous and honest. Please listen to them
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
Now see this would have been where I wrote about how awesomely awesome Au Revoir Simone was, but sadly it was never meant to be. I’ve been a fan of this female, dream pop, trio for a long time and was shocked when I heard they would be playing at CMJ. Sadly though this did not happen because just a few stops before mine the train stopped and would not be moving any further due to
The most important thing you should all know though is that your favorite radio station, The Waih, has seriously got its act together. All the other stations we met with were impressed with how many people came to represent The Waih and all the awesome things we do. So claps to all of you. You being the sick nasty group of DJs who play awesomely awesome music every week, but more importantly YOU the listener. You are the reason we here at The Waih keep doing what we do. Stay tuned. Much love.
Ariel <3