The Music Obsession: October 2013

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Music Video: "Snack Attack" by A Great Big Pile Of Leaves

>> A Great Big Pile Of Leaves released a dizzyingly cool video for their song "Snack Attack" recently. The song is from the band's album You're Always On My Mind which was released this past summer through Topshelf Records. The video was directed by Guise and features a Hellogoodbye cameo or two. Check it out below.

>> In case you missed it, check out my interview with AGBPOL members Matt and Tyler from June here. They talk about how excited they were (still are) about the new album, and you'll get to hear some excellent jokes involving U2.

Get Connected:

agreatbigpileofleaves.com

facebook.com/agreatbigpileofleaves

instagram.com/agreatbigpileofleaves

twitter.com/AGBPOL

topshelfrecords.com

weareguise.com

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Reggie And The Full Effect Announce 2014 Tour Dates

**UPDATED: >> Reggie And The Full Effect will be heading out on a headline tour in early 2014. Dads and Pentimento will provide support for this run. The full list of dates can be seen below, and tickets can be purchased here.

>> Another thing to be excited about - No Country For Old Musicians, the new album from Reggie And The Full Effect, is now available for pre-order. Order yourself a copy here and learn the new songs for the tour. The album will be released on November 19th, 2013.

No Country For Old Musicians Tour Dates:

JAN 16 - Philadelphia, PA- The Barbary

JAN 17 - Baltimore, MD- Ottobar

JAN 18 - Richmond, VA- The Canal Club

JAN 19 - Chapel Hill, NC- Local 506

JAN 21 - Jacksonville, FL- Roc Bar

JAN 22 - Orlando, FL- The Social

JAN 24 - Houston, TX- Warehouse Live Studio

JAN 25 - Dallas, TX- Club Dada

JAN 26 - Austin, TX- Stubb's Bar-B-Q

JAN 28 - Scottsdale, AZ- Pub Rock Live

JAN 29 - San Diego, CA- The Irenic

JAN 30 - Los Angeles, CA- The Satellite

JAN 31 - Santa Ana, CA- Constellation Room

FEB 01 - San Francisco, CA- Bottom Of The Hill

FEB 02 - Portland, OR- Branx

FEB 04 - Seattle, WA- Vera Project

FEB 06 - Salt Lake City, UT- Kilby Court

FEB 07 - Denver, CO- Marquis Theatre

FEB 08 - Kansas City, MO- Record Bar

FEB 09 - St. Louis, MO- Fubar

FEB 11 - Minneapolis, MN- Triple Rock Social Club

FEB 12 - Chicago, IL- Subterranean

FEB 13 - Pontiac, MI- The Pike Room at Crofoot Ballroom

FEB 14 - Cleveland Heights, OH- Grog Shop

FEB 15 - Pittsburgh, PA- Altar Bar

FEB 16 - Syracuse, NY- Lost Herizon

FEB 18 - Hamden, CT- The Space

FEB 19 - Boston, MA- Brighton Music Hall

FEB 20 - New York, NY- The Studio at Webster Hall

FEB 22 - Asbury Park, NJ- Asbury Lanes

Get Connected:

facebook.com/reggieandthefulleffect

instagram.com/yourbuddyreggie

twitter.com/shitdeweessays

Album Pre-Order

Buy Tickets

- Kate Russell

Monday, October 21, 2013

Patent Pending Release Video for "Let Go"

>> Patent Pending are at it again, and this time they're at it with a silly style only they can get away with. The band just released a video for their single "Let Go." The song is on their latest album, titled Brighter. The album was funded through Pledge Music and is hopefully just what the fans were looking for. Personally, I've known these guys for years, and this album is full of jams. Check out the new extravagant and entertaining video below.

>> In case you missed it, check out the appropriately themed lyric video for Patent Pending's song "Hey Mario" here!

Get Connected:

patentpendingmusic.com
facebook.com/patentpendingmusic
twitter.com/PTPGOfficial
Brighter on iTunes
.

- Kate Russell

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Album Review: 'The Speed of Things' by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

>> Tie the laces on your dancing shoes, as indie-pop duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. are back with their sophomore release The Speed of Things. Hailing from Detroit Rock City, Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein never intended for their music to be heard by those outside of their basement. But alas, their infectious songwriting changed that.

>> There's no slump here, as The Speed of Things is catchy as hell and is a pretty great mixture of influences such as the 1960's Beach Boys and New York's own modern-day, Freelance Whales. The album rolls through with a variety of sounds – some dream-like at times, including the aptly titled “Beautiful Dream.” The reprise, too, brings its own beat to the table by leading the rest of the album into its second act of sorts. “Mesopotamia” is a fantastic track that allows the falsettos to take over and hopefully, leave the audience swaying. “If You Don't See Me (Then You Weren't On the Dance Floor)” is undoubtedly the leading single that had already been featured on an EP released earlier this year. It remains to be the stronger of the tracks but don't let that give the wrong impression as there are plenty of gems hidden throughout the album. Want proof? The finale, “War Zone” hits just over the six-minute mark and will most certainly leave you wanting more. So much for staying quiet fellas, it looks like you'll be here for a while.

- Written by Anthony "Dob" Dobrini

Get Connected:

daleearnhardtjrjr.com

twitter.com/dalejrjrmusic

youtube.com/daleearnhardtjrjr

facebook.com/daleearnhardtjrjr

Monday, October 14, 2013

The Wonder Years Announce Acoustic Holiday Shows

>> The Wonder Years will be playing four acoustic holiday shows this December in the Northeast. Vinnie Caruana and Young Statues. The artists are encouraging everyone to dress in festive attire with the promise of cookies, hot chocolate, and a killer show.

>> The list of dates can be found below a message from The Wonder Years:

We're excited to announce some Acoustic Holiday Shows this December w/ our friends Vinnie Caruana & Young Statues. Be sure to join the party and wear an ugly Christmas sweater for some Free Cookies & Hot Chocolate. These shows are in very intimate venues with a limited amount of tickets.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, Oct 18th at Noon EST.

The Wonder Years Acoustic Holiday Shows:

12/12/13 - Westchester, PA @ The Note
12/13/13 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft
12/14/13 - Pawtucket, RI @ The Met
12/15/13 - Patchogue, NY @ 89 North .

Get Connected:

facebook.com/thewonderyearsband

facebook.com/vinniecaruanamusic

facebook.com/youngstatues

- Kate Russell

Friday, October 11, 2013

For Our Friend Mitch

>> Two years ago, my friends in Bellwether and No Good News released a split titled For Our Friend Mitch. They decided to release this on behalf of their friend Mitchell Kraeling who had been diagnosed with cancer. All of the proceeds from the split went straight to Mitch and his family to help with medical bills. Mitch was one of the strongest and most determined people many of us have ever encountered. He was the kind of guy who, even during his chemo treatments, would make it out to a show to support his friends. No matter what, his friends and family came first. So when the diagnosis came, it only made sense that his friends were there for him, too.

>> Today, October 11th, 2013, Mitch passed away. Bellwether, No Good News, and Meadowbrook Records are re-releasing the For Our Friend Mitch split in the hopes of helping Mitch's family with funeral costs. It's a final way to support a guy who did everything he could to support his friends and his local music scene. You can download the split at bandcamp, or below.

A Message from the bands:

Rest Easy, Mitchell A. Kraeling
June 22,1991 - October 11, 2013
Today, October 11th, 2013, the Long Island Music Scene lost one of its finest. Mitch Kraeling was always enthusiastic about local music, attending shows frequently and hosting shows in his basement.
When Mitch was first diagnosed with cancer, we promptly put out this split to help raise money for him and his family to pay for the cost of treatment. We are re-releasing it today to help with the costs of funeral services. It is up for a "name your own price." Please give as little or as much as you can. Every bit helps.
He gave us so much more than we could have asked for in a friend and he will truly be missed. Now its time for us to give something back.
-Bellwether, No Good News, Meadowbrook Records

RIP Mitch.

You will be missed, remembered, and treasured.

http://forourfriendmitch.bandcamp.com/

- Kate Russell

Music Video: "If So" by Atlas Genius

>> In the mood for some split screen, split adventure type footage set to a sweet indie rock sound? Well, if so, the new video from Atlas Genius is for you. The band just released a video for their single, "If So," and it's pretty cool. Lots of travel sequences involving subways, bridges, staircases, and more. Watch the video for "If So" below, and check out the band's debut album, When It Was Now, here.

>> Atlas Genius will be playing at Irving Plaza for the second night in a row tonight (10/11/13) as a part of the CBGB Festival. For more information, click here.

Get Connected:

atlasgenius.com

facebook.com/AtlasGenius

When It Was Now on iTunes
cbgb.com

- Kate Russell

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Live Review: Panic! At the Disco album release show at The McKittrick Hotel NYC

>> It was October 8th, 2013 and I was looking for the McKittrick Hotel. I wandered past a small line of people twice before a gentleman in a suit asked me, "excuse me, are you here for Panic! At The Disco?" I said yes, he checked my name off of his iPad, stamped my hand with a sun and I was ushered in to a small lobby-room to wait. There were a handful of us in the room and it remind me of waiting to get on a ride at Disneyland - I have to admit I was a bit nervous, as I've never been to a concert shrouded in so much mystery. Suddenly a wooden elevator door opened and a man stepped out to usher us inside (exactly like the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disneyland's California Adventure). We stepped in with him, promising he wouldn't bite, and the slow ascent to the sixth floor began.

(photo by Chris La Putt)

>> The McKittrick Hotel houses Sleep No More - the interactive Macbeth experience. Patrons who come to see the show don a skeletal mask that you wear throughout your stay at the McKittrick as you wander from room to room entering various scenes of Shakespeare's play taking place. Needless to say, the hotel has an eerie murder-mystery feel to it that creates a very exciting atmosphere.

(Sleep No More mask I found at the bar- McKittrick Hotel 10/8/13)

>> We reached the sixth floor and all of us were ushered towards a dark hallway and then through a velvet curtain - and suddenly we were inside. Imagine an old speakeasy - an intimate, foggy, prohibition era club with a small stage and a bar to the left. My first thought was that I had walked in to the "But It's Better If You Do" music video. The lighting is soft and red and there are plush benches towards the back of the club where I take a seat after ordering a drink. The bartender made a point to tell me that hosting Panic! at the hotel is an unprecedented event and that I'm in for a real treat. Watching various small groups of people file in and look around them in wonder and awe, I couldn't have agreed more. The room is scattered with girls wearing clothes matching ever incarnation of Panic's albums, circus themes and shiny, cut jackets complimenting the "old Las Vegas" theme (as seen in the music video for Miss Jackson here) and a surprising number of men rocking Brendon Urie's current haircut (See this haircut in Panic's new music video for "Girls/Girls/Boys" here).

(Brendon Urie in Red- McKittrick Hotel 10/8/13)

>> I met up with friend of mine who is a sound engineer at the McKittrick Hotel to catch up and discuss the event. We were mid-catch-up when an extremely tall man in a crisp tuxedo holding a glass tumbler swayed over to us. My friend clearly knew who he was and was waiting for the man to introduce himself to me. The man grasped my hand and began to lean towards me, he leaned so close I was sure he was going to fall, right up to my ear and he whispered "Calloway." "Nice to meet you, Calloway," I said, not fully understanding what sort of encounter I was having. Calloway asked my friend what time it was, stood with us in silence for a few moments and then swayed away from us, saying "It was a pleasure to meet you, Sheila." This was all very strange, but it gave me a clue. You obviously never know what to expect at the McKittrick, and that's the fun part. I was sure I would be seeing him later.

[At this point I have to mention that after talking to my friend for a while before he had to get back to work and waiting for the show to start, Sarah Urie, the singer's wife, for whatever reason had decided to stand next to me. I was internally freaking out, as she is a gorgeous creature and I do so enjoy her Vines as much as I enjoy her husband's, but I totally played it cool. Let this be a testament to how small this venue was - impossible not to bump in to a stranger. And who knows who that stranger might be?]

(Brendon and Dallon action shot - McKittrick Hotel 10/8/13)

>> Finally the lights dimmed and everyone turned towards the stage, tittering in anticipation. There was brief confusion in the crowd as a lone blue light lit up the bar to the right and there sat Calloway, churning an old music box and singing "Nature Boy" (remember the song in the beginning of Moulin Rouge? "There was a boy...") In between the verses of the song Calloway told a story of how he went to the doctor and the doctor told him he was a strange boy.. At the end of his song ("the greatest thing you'll ever learn/is just to love/and be loved in return.") Calloway announced the band - with a tear running down his face - by saying the doctor told him he was "Too Weird To Live, To Rare to Die!" Which, of course, is the title of Panic! At the Disco's newest album. Perfect.

Vine of Calloway singing

>> This is my first time seeing Panic! and I have a huge smile on my face as they rip in to "Time To Dance" from their first album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. The entire set is a nice blend of their first three albums. Brendon Urie's voice has a richer maturity these days, and his range is insane. He added amazing- and very high-pitched - vocal solos in to most of the songs. This show being their album release party for TWTLTRTD! I was disappointed to only hear three songs from the album. Although, the moment they played this is Gospel was beautiful and touching when everyone sang along. Panic! also performed a short hardcore song which the crowd, and I, adored. Brendon Urie is no stranger to the hardcore motif as a regular feature on his Vine channel is "Postive Hardcore Thursdays" (I wonder what it would take to have Panic! release a purely hard-core album addendum a la Fall Out Boy..)

Vine of 'This is Gospel'

>> Instead of the typical encore, Brendon let the crowd know that instead of leaving the stage and waiting for us to cheer, he would rather stay and play the rest of the set. Of course, the set was ended with Brendon donning a Sleep No More mask and doing a backflip (seriously- how does he do that?) during I Write Sins Not Tragedies. An epic end to an epic show, to be sure.

(Brendon Urie with Sleep No More Mask - McKittrick Hotel 10/8/13)

>> Too Weird To Live, Too Rare to Die (a la Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) is the soundtrack to a "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" weekend. It's a synth - heavy, bi-sexual anthem bearing, dance-till-you-drop power album; and the McKittrick Hotel was the perfect place to host the album release party. Playing off of the secretive and mysterious vibe of the hotel, you can imagine Panic's theatrical nature made the evening a total success. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see Sleep No More (which apparently included acting from Brendon in one scene) but it is a top priority now after experiencing the haunting and honestly, sexy, vibe of the McKittrick. This was an evening I shan't soon forget.

I Write Sins Not Tragedies - McKittrick Hotel 10/8/13

Catch Panic! At the Disco on tour through the rest of 2013 and well in to 2014 - and be sure to pick up a copy of Too Weird To Live, Too Rare to Die! Personally, this album is my new favorite.

Panic! At The Disco "Too Weird To Live, Too Rare to Die!" album release show at the McKittrick Hotel 10/8/2013 Setlist:

Time to Dance
The Ballad of Mona Lisa
The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage
Let's Kill Tonight
This Is Gospel
Camisado
Hurricane
New Perspective
Ready to Go (Get Me Out of My Head)
Miss Jackson
Nine in the Afternoon
Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off
But It's Better If You Do
Nearly Witches
Vegas Lights
I Write Sins Not Tragedies

Taste The Band - Key Tracks from Too Weird To Live, Too Rare to Die!

• Casual Affair

• Nicotine

• The End of All Things

Get Connected

http://panicatthedisco.com/
http://twitter.com/panicatthedisco
http://youtube.com/panicatthedisco
http://instagram.com/panicatthedisco

Peace, Love and Family Breakfast.

Yours Cruelly,

Sheila

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Family Breakfast: Bands to Watch at the 2013 CMJ Music Marathon

>> Hey, ~~Spotify Listeners~~ Breakfast Enthusiasts! If you don't know what the CMJ music marathon is by now you must be living in a hole in the ground similar to Frodo Baggins (or maybe you don't live in NYC). For all you hobbits out there the CMJ Music Marathon takes place in the big apple over the course of five days October 15-19. There are hundreds of bands to see at venues all over the city and panels you can attend that talk about everything from "The Struggle for Metal's Soul" to "Serenity Now: Rock and Roll Your Soul Yoga." There's something for everyone at CMJ and I encourage all you New York City hobbits/breakfast enthusiasts to attend and broaden your musical horizons!

Here are some Family Breakfast approved bands and artists to get you started >>

He Is Legend (facebook)

I love these guys, but I sort of forgot about them. Big mistake! They're AWESOME. Are you looking for some quality, fast-paced post-hardcore things to listen to? Do yourself a favor and check these North Carolina boys out. As a matter of fact, do yourself a favor and check out their hit song "The Seduction" right now. DO IT. I was listening to these guys back in 2006 - but it looks like after coming back from their hiatus they're still going strong. They're playing an official CMJ showcase show alongside up-and-coming bands Nevada Rose and Die a Hero. This show is not to be missed, breakfast eaters.

10/18 - New York, NY @ Tobacco Road: Zach Neil Company CMJ Showcase

Between The Buried and Me (facebook.com/BTBAMofficial)

Nothing sums up this band better than this quote ~~(from Spotify)~~ "Between the Buried and Me is a thinking man's hardcore unit from Raleigh, North Carolina." Another North Carolina band! These guys were here earlier this year playing a landmark show with Coheed and Cambria at Radio City Music Hall. Not too shabby! I highly recommend this band for all fans of metal and its various incarnations. So, breakfast eaters, I encourage you to put on your top hat and listen to some learn-ed, metal guitar riffs whilst head-banging in a sophisticated manner. For those about to rock, we salute you.

10/16 - New York, New York @ Best Buy Theatre

The Head and the Heart (facebook.com/theheadandtheheart)

The Head and The Heart are a wonderful folk/americana band I recently started listening to. They were signed to Sub Pop records in 2011 - a label notorious for great music. If you enjoyed our friends Toy Soldiers, you'll love these guys. If you need to calm down after the hardcore bands you moshed to head on down to Brooklyn and see these guys. Imagine driving through the mists of Seattle, where these guys are from, or the mountains of Colorado. Are you calm? I'm calm. I know you like Mumford and Sons so why don't you do yourself a favor and abandon the bustle of NYC for a minute and let the indie folk wash over you like a cool breeze.

10/17 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Music Hall of Williamsburg: Sub Pop CMJ Showcase

Father John Misty (facebook)

Father John Misty was my favorite find of 2012. I was first introduced to Joshua Tillman's music when my best friend showed me an awesome music video they made for a song called Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings (below) starring Parks and Recreation's Aubrey Plaza. I was hooked after that. I don't think I will ever stop listening to that song, and neither will you after you've heard it. It's arguably the coolest song that came out of 2012. FJM's studio album Fear Fun is a perfect portrait of the sadness in folk and indie music. Father John Misty is the rick man's Kings of Leon. They're one of the big stars at CMJ Festival this year and I know I say this a lot, but they are not to be missed. I mean it. Father John Misty is the real deal.

10/18 - New York, NY @ Town Hall: Sub Pop CMJ Showcase

10/19 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Music Hall of Williamsburg: Sub Pop CMJ Showcase

Meek is Murder (facebook.com/meekismurder)

Meek is Murder describes themselves as "Brooklyn whatevercore." I like that a lot. Breakfast eaters, this band's power level is over 9000 and I don't say that lightly. They came out of nowhere, but it's obvious to me that they're going to be huge. If you like Every Time I Die, you need to see this band. I love me some grindcore/hardcore/whatevercore so their studio album Algorithms really spoke to me - and by spoke to me I mean melted my face. The record was released by MetalSucks who have an amazing metal music news website. Come out to Brooklyn to the MetalSucks/Metal Injection CMJ showcase because I know it will blow your mind. This show is going to be rowdy, folks. As the band says: "Meek is Murder, dude."

10/18 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Acheron: MetalSucks/Metal Injection CMJ Showcase

>> Obviously this is just a small taste of what you can enjoy at the CMJ Music Marathon this year. However, I highly recommend these bands if you are a fan of the Family Breakfast. If you're in NYC you should make a point to get out there and explore the awesome musical happenings during October 15-19th! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll have your faces melted and you'll eat breakfast. If you can't make it to CMJ I still encourage you to listen to these bands and see them when they come by your city. For a complete list of bands and a handy CMJ schedule, you can go here.

Yours cruelly,
Sheila

Get Connected:

cmj.com

cmj.com/marathon

He Is Legend Facebook

facebook.com/theheadandtheheart

Father John Misty facebook

facebook.com/meekismurder

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Live Music Obsessions: Bands To Watch at the 2013 CMJ Music Marathon

>> We at The Music Obsession have been posting a lot about CMJ lately. For those who don't know, the CMJ Music Marathon is a 5 day city-wide music festival that will take place on October 15th - October 19th. There will be various showcases taking place in over 80 venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. CMJ also hosts various panels focusing on topics relevant in the music industry today, all headquartered at NYU’s campus in Greenwich Village. By day, attendees can sit in on panels and learn about what's going on in the industry. By night (and sometimes by day as well), attendees can see some of their favorite bands, as well as discover new artists to fall in love with. With so many events and performances happening over the span of 5 days, it can be crazy trying to sort through and find something up your alley. In an attempt to give you some ideas, here are 5 bands that you should see perform if you get the chance.

NGHBRS (facebook.com/nghbrs)

These Long Island-natives have a special place in my heart, and they likely always will. This is a band that doesn't fit into one set genre, and that's something that they're very proud of (as they should be). Fans of alternative / indie music, or fans of anything that makes you tap your foot and say, "Damn this is nice" will enjoy NGHBRS. The band's latest album, Twenty One Rooms, has '90s influences along with driving melodies and elements that are truly unique. NGHBRS puts on an excellent show every time, and if you're interested in seeing them, you're in luck - the band is so in demand this year that they are playing not one but *two* showcases. If you can't see them at one, definitely make it out to the other. To get a taste of what NGHBRS has to offer, check out their truly innovative Instagram music video for their song "Hold Up Girl" below.

10/17 - Brooklyn, NY @ Paperbox: Idobi Radio CMJ Showcase

10/18 - New York, NY @ Sullivan Hall: Big Picture Media CMJ Showcase

Speedy Ortiz (facebook.com/speedyortiz)

I first found out about this band when they played the annual NYU Mystery Concert, and for me, they were the stand outs. This "snack rock" band lets you satisfy your craving for grunge while maintaining some positive energy. Their songs are full of snark and sass and guitar parts that made a kid at that Mystery Concert stand up and create a crowd of one just so that he could head bang (real story, it was awesome). If you need a band to rock out to even though you feel a little awkward rocking out in public, I think Speedy Ortiz is your best bet. In all seriousness, this is a set worth catching.

10/19 - Brooklyn, NY @ Silent Barn: Exploding in Sound CMJ Showcase

Hostage Calm (facebook.com/hostagecalm)

In the need for some good ol' fashioned punk rock? Hostage Calm is the band for you. Now, by " 'ol fashioned" I certainly do not mean boring or outdated; if anything I mean the opposite. These guys take a classic sound and make it modern, and more importantly, they make it their own. Listening to this band brings you back to a different time, one full of anarchy and safety pins and excellent style. Their records are great, but this is a band that can only be fully appreciated live.

10/19 - New York, NY @ Santos Party House: Run For Cover Records Showcase

Miko & The Musket (facebook.com/mikoandthemusket)

This is a group of (many) talented and soulful individuals, and it definitely shines through in their music. Every song has warmth and depth, and they seem to radiate positive energy. It's virtually impossible to listen to Miko & The Musket and be in a bad mood. There is joy in each song, and on the faces of the artists themselves (as seen in the live performance video below). Even the sadder songs involve such artistry that it makes them impressive rather than depressing. The songs, the strings, and the harmonies draw you in, and give you exactly what you didn't know you needed. If you need a break from the usual chaos of the city during CMJ: take a break, relax, and enjoy one of the sweetest sets you could witness.

10/16 - New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall: The Deli Magazine Showcase

Chevonne and the Fuzz (facebook.com/chevonneandthefuzz)

Solo act - turned - band Chevonne and the Fuzz put on an excellent show. Their set is full of energy, spunk, sass, and passion - everything you could want from a female-fronted pop rock act. These guys have a song about a hot babysitter and loving a man in heels, so clearly their song topics alone reflect a spark that can be seen in their live show. This group is still fairly new, but having seen them twice in the past year, I can say that they have really grown more comfortable with each other and on stage in that time. By that, I mean that their stage presence kicks ass, as it's meant to.

10/16 - New York, NY @ Sullivan Hall: Big Picture Media CMJ Showcase

>> There are many, many more artists worth your while performing at this year's CMJ Music Marathon. These are five acts that I'm willing to put my personal stamp of approval on, and trust me, I don't do that for just anyone. Keep your eyes on these acts, and look for additional Bands To Watch as recommended by my other TMO staff members. For now, check out this very lengthy list of the artists who will perform during CMJ this year here.

Laters on the menjay.
- Kate

Get Connected:

cmj.com

cmj.com/marathon

facebook.com/nghbrs

facebook.com/speedyortiz

facebook.com/hostagecalm

facebook.com/mikoandthemusket

facebook.com/chevonneandthefuzz

- Kate Russell

Big Picture Media 2013 CMJ Showcases

>> Big Picture Media will be hosting two showcases during this year's CMJ Music Marathon. The showcase on October 16th will be free and open to guests of all ages, and will take place at Tammany Hall. The October 18th showcase will be $10 for guests 21 and over, and $15 for guests 18-20 years old. The second showcase will take place at Sullivan Hall. More information on both events can be found below, or on the BPM event page.

Wednesday October 16th 2013