The Busiest Bands of CMJ
CMJ Music Marathon, whose 2012 edition begins today in New York City, is the bootcamp of music festivals; the overlapping showcases test the endurance of the acts that manage to make it here…and those that do survive often get a major boost to their reputation. (There’s a not-yet-scientifically-proven relationship between CMJ hype and number of shows played.)
With concerts scheduled from as early as noon and as early as, well, noon the next day–sleep is a luxury not often afforded during CMJ–there are plenty of opportunities for bands to show what they’re made of. We scoured the set lists and noticed a few bands coming up over and over. Though they might burn out by Friday, they also might be the Next Big Thing by then–so take note of our list of the busiest bands at CMJ 2012.
DEAP VALLY: Five shows in four days
How much can two girls from California handle? Lindsey and Julie of Deap Vally are about to find out.
IL ALBANICO: Five shows in two days
The sheer mathematics of their schedule make this instrumental indie band one of the most accessible acts this year. With only two days out of the entire festival, they’ve reduced a competitive number of appearances into a schedule that has this five piece running between boroughs with every set.
CONVEYOR: Seven shows in five days
The dudes of New York City’s Conveyor are seizing control of the marathon pace with their experimental pop performances.
FRIEND ROULETTE: Seven shows in five days
A recent post from the band exclaims that they’re free friday night and are looking for another show to play, even if it is in your apartment. Not sure how they have all this stamina but we’d love to indulge them and their whimsical psychedelic, chamber pop-infused sound.
LE1F: Eight shows in five days
With eight shows scheduled, and even more impromptu performances bound to happen, LE1F is an omnipresent name this week. We’ll applaud him…once he survives. Performing on bills alongside every genre (no really– the list includes fellow rappers, bleach blond punk-rockers, and Canadian indie-pop bands), LE1F is spreading himself all around, and New York should be lapping it up.
–LORI TRIGONIS