The Neighbourhood, CMJ 2013
An exhausting week of jumping on the train back and forth between the city and Brooklyn to sample daytime showcases, free gigs, and good music, food, people and fashion meant New York City’s 2012 CMJ Festival came and went in the blink of an eye.
Ludlow Street in particular proved to be the melting pot where many different personalities and styles coalesced. Once again, CMJ showcased some of the best new artists emerging onto the scene, whilst also offering ample opportunities to stumble upon acts you’ve previously never heard; of these, IO Echo, The Midnight Moan, Delicate Steve, Gabriel Bruce and Lush Life were genuine highlights.
As were Clinical Trials – a NYC-based project headed by Somer Bingham. They have a sound that can be compared to Nirvana, while fellow New York natives Dynasty Electric, consisting of Jenny Electrik and Seth Misterka, impressed with their electronic, punk and psychedelic rock mix.
Another definite standout was Sky Ferreira (photo) – already one of the indie scene’s leading artists of the year. One of the largest of a slew of shows she performed during CMJ came at the Bowery Ballroom, where tracks from her second EP ‘Ghost‘ suggested a style closely related to 90’s grunge pop. Deap Vally, meanwhile, were very rock n roll, and one of the best acts at the festival this year.
Lescop is a new-wave French artist who opened up the Ooh La La Festival at the Highline Ballroom. His infectious sound is one to keep an eye on, as is The Neighbourhood‘s fresh, crisp summer Californian groove.
LoveLife used CMJ to show off a growth in their output since the first New York shows earlier this summer. This new direction of dark-synth pop and dance beats being explored by chief members Ally Young and Lee Newell is a favourable one, and should make for an intriguing second EP when it drops in December.
Report and Photos: Renesha Yusuff
Lovelife
Deep Vally
Sky Ferreira
Brooklyn Bowl Crowd
IO Echo