The CMJ music marathon, which is really going to give the Iditarod a run for its money, absolutely wiped me out. It was an insane week of head bopping, boozing, and absolute madness as I attempted to hold some sense of sanity as my sleep deprived body moved from venue to venue trying to keep up break neck pace of the festival. Despite my brush with insanity, I managed to complete a list of my personal favorite artists that I had the absolute pleasure to see at CMJ 2014.
CRUISR
I might be biased since they were the first band I saw at the festival, and when I mean first band I mean literally 10 minutes after I got off the train when I got into the city. However, it was a wonderful first impression. I was on the rooftop of a gorgeous apartment/recording studio where the beer was flowing, everyone was happy, and I was ecstatic to not be on an NJTransit train anymore. However, CRUISR gave me the first taste of the phenomenal unknowns that I was going to be exposed to this weekend. With such a refined surf rock/pop sound that just makes you want to bop aggressively, CRUISR was a more than adequate start. Plus, they’re on Vagrant records and are touring with The 1975 this fall. What more can you ask for?
Sampology
The first thought in my head when I heard Sampology’s set during Sounds Australia’s showcase was Disclosure. His sound is shockingly similar to the mix of disco and R&B that not only launched Disclosure, but also Sam Smith into mainstream success. However, what sets Sampology apart is when you dig deeper. While his music is extremely catchy and entertaining on its own merit, it’s his AVDJ performances that will give you the extra nudge toward joining his fandom.
TOPS
“Picture You Staring” has been spinning in my car for at least the past month. It’s so relaxing and smooth, but has enough punch to make even the shitty Route 1 traffic somewhat bearable (New Jersey Smashers will know what I’m talking about). What the Canadian 4-piece band brought during their live performance that they didn’t in the album is the shear passion of what they were doing. Plus it didn’t hurt Jane Penny was even better live than on the album. What made their show at Shea Stadium even better was their ability to perform like they were just jamming in their living room. Definitely keep on eye on this Montreal Rock Band, which brings me to my next point: Happyness.
Happyness
I absolutely adore Happyness’ recent EP “Everything I Do Is All Right,” which features the song “Montreal Rock Band Somewhere.” However, I haven’t delved into their music much further than the 4-songs featured on that EP. So, when I realized that they were playing just about 57,345 times at CMJ I made it a point to come out to one of their shows. I ended up at Rough Trade in Brooklyn just as Happyness began their set. Something could be said for great shoegaze. It’s something that has become shockingly scarce in recent years. However, something even more could be said for great shoegaze played by the most charming and endearing British men.
Safia
You know how I said the first thought that popped into my head when I heard Australian act Samplogy was Disclosure. Well, when I first head Safia I thought of Disclosure with Sam Smith specifically. Lead singer Ben Woolner sounds incredibly similar to Smith and their sound is incredibly similar to Disclosure, so there must be some correlation, right? Wrong. They actually formed around the same time the British duo formed. So, their sound is authentic. They’ve been making waves down under (I hate myself for that joke), but it’s clear that they’ll be breaking into the US very soon. Get ready, the Aussies are coming (still hate myself).
Mitski
If you could learn just one thing from Mitski’s performance at The Silent Barn, it’s that people absolutely adore her. All you have to do understand that is listen to her music. And the fact that she asked someone to go outside to tell the people smoking to listen to her. She’s so graceful in her musicianship and simple in her compositions (most of her songs utilized just 3 or 4 chords and most of the time they were just bar chords), but heartbreaking in her lyrics, especially in standout song “First Love/Late Spring.”
Adult Mom
Bent Shapes
Apparently they’re quite popular in the local scene up in Boston, which is shocking considering they are one of the few current bands that hold a true jangle pop/college rock sound. Even better, they’ve been around for longer than you would have thought. What makes them even more impressive is the fact that for some of them, this is just a side project. They’d got to a 9-5 job during the week and play shows on the nights and weekends. However, by no means does it seem like it’s a side project.
Wonderful Humans
You always have to pay attention when you find a band with a healthy pop sound. Wonderful Humans is a duo that I knew about beforehand when I somehow stubbled upon their single “Worth Your While.” They’re one of those bands that isn’t necessarily doing anything new, their sound has already been claimed by artists like Charli XCX and Grimes, but it doesn’t change the fact that they just banged out jam after jam at The Paper Box in BK. Plus, a cover of “Shake it Off” could never hurt, especially when it actually makes that song bearable.
Sharpless
Shar
pless knows how to put on a show. Described as “violent pop,” which is shockingly accurate, Jack Greenleaf (who I’m developing a mild crush on) is not afraid to cross genre lines, try new things, or even spit a rap or two. There was so much f*cking energy on that stage between Greenleaf and Montana Levy (who was rocking some sick silver hair). I really can’t say more than that, I really just loved this damn band. Actually, it may have been my favorite set of the marathon 12-hour Miscreant and Father/Daughter showcase. I loved it so much and they rocked so hard, that it was the only band I had to wear earplugs for, and that’s an achievement.
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.