FRICTION NYC

Seems like everyone and their brother is having a CMJ show/party this year (including us). A bit of an overkill if you ask me, but I guess it does give us that extra chance to catch some of our favorite acts. Unlike SXSW, I’m trying not to go overboard next week and went through the lineup and picked one show or band a night that I really want to see. For the most part it worked out, I’ll miss one or two bands, but I’m pretty sure they’ll be back in a couple months.

Below I listed my tenative CMJ schedule. Most of the shows list only one band, but I’m definitely going to get my money’s worth and stick around for the full showcase since I’m not familiar with all of the acts.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 | Pianos
Monsters Are Waiting
Also on the bill: Irving, Birdmonster, Run Run Run
Yes. It’s another band from Los Angeles. What can I say? I missed Monsters Are Waiting back in July when they played back to back nights at Pianos to celebrate the release of their debut LP, Fascination. The Echo Park quartet’s infectious and playful sound fronted by the sexy vocals Annalee Fery has garnered them comparisons to Elastica, The Cardigans, and Metric.

Monsters Are Waiting  ”Nobody”

Wednesday, November 1, 2006 | Cake Shop
Beach House
Also on the bill: First Nation, Over the Atlantic, The Peppermints, WZT Hearts, Lexie Mountain
Baltimore’s Beach House consists of childhood friends Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand. I mentioned before that Le Volume Courbe’s I Killed My Best Friend was the ideal soundtrack for autumn, and it is, but why not have two? You would expect a band called Beach House to make uplifting summery songs, but their delicate, hazy self-titled slow burner perfectly fits the atmosphere of fall. Legrand’s croon is intoxicatingly mesmerizing drawing her comparisons to Hope Sandoval and Nico. I’m not sure how all of this will translate live, it could be beautiful or boring. We’ll see next week.

Beach House  ”Apple Orchard” (via Rewritable Content)

Thursday, November 2, 2006 | Lit
Scanners
Also on the bill: Whitey, Sean Na Na, Oh No! Oh My!, Born Ruffians, Autodrone
I’m going to hit up the Dim Mak showcase to catch Nghia’s faves Scanners. Their dark new wave-tinged Violence Is Golden has been getting regular play over here at CU. The London four-piece is playing a bunch of shows throughout the city next week, so catch them if you get a chance.

Scanners  ”Lowlife”

Friday, November 3, 2006 | Sin-e
Dirty on Purpose, Uncut, Pela, The Diableros, The Diggs, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Shackeltons
Where else would I be on Friday night? I couldn’t be more psyched about this lineup and to have FRICTION be a part of CMJ. Having these seven great bands on one bill will keep me put at Sin-e all night long.

Saturday, November 4, 2006 | Annex
White Whale
Also on the bill: Silversun Pickups, The Big Sleep, Tokyo Police Club, Elvis Perkins, Annuals, Takka Takka
I’ve been a big fan of White Whale’s WWI LP and finally going to catch them at BrooklynVegan’s day show. A bit of an indie supergroup, White Whale consists of Matt Suggs (Butterglory), Rob Pope (The Get Up Kids), and Zach Holland, John Anderson, Dustin Kinsey (Thee Higher Burning Fire). WWI is a concept album that tells a story about a sea captain who is continuously kicked off his ship and home only to find his way back to the sea.

White Whale  ”The Admiral”

Saturday, November 4, 2006 | Sin-e
Ra Ra Riot
Also on the bill: Birdmonster, Division Day, The Head Set
Syracuse’s Ra Ra Riot has been making quite a splash here in New York in recent months. They’re looking to do the same during CMJ, playing a total of six shows througout the week including this one put together by Rachael Underrated.

Ra Ra Riot  ”Can You Tell” (via Product Shop NYC)

Saturday, November 4, 2006 | Studio B
Justice + Digitalism
Justice and Digitalism. Need I say more?

Justice  ”NY Excuse” Remix (Soulwax)
Digitalism  ”Never Let Me Down Again” Remix (Depeche Mode)