CMJ 2014: Julie's Adventures in New York City

I am slowly recovering from my general malaise contracted in the city more famously known as New York City (big big city equals germs germs germs). I had a whirlwind petite adventure during the 2014 edition of the CMJ Music Marathon in October.

It all started on the overnight bus. Okay, actually, I am exaggerating there. The overnight bus was not very adventurous, it was exactly as one would expect it - crowded, sleepy bodies spilling over seats and arm rests, involuntarily brushing against other sleepy bodies, occasionally being jarred back into place upon the realization of this "accidental touching." This was my first overnight bus experience. Do you think it sounds like a pretty decent way to travel? Overnight, you get to sleep and save your energy for the Big Apple? I thought that way, until I was about 45 minutes into the ride, then I realized the overnight bus is really just the beginning of the no-sleep New York reality, also known as the best way to ensure a lowered immune system, ripe for the big city bugs (insert ebola joke here, actually, no, don't, then you would be like everyone we encountered in the U.S. of A.).

Upon my arrival, I was whisked away to College Day at CMJ, just in time to see CJLO's own Beansie from Maiden Voyage speaking on a panel, followed by the amicable Andrew Wieler from Grade A Explosives win the award for Best Specialty Music Director of the Year! Congrats!

Since my trip to CMJ was a short one, I didn't get the chance to see much of the music side of the festival, so I chose wisely. Living in Montreal, I did what most locals would have done, I went to the M for Montreal showcase at Arlene's Grocery. Being involved with college radio in such a great music city like Montreal, I was excited to see what talent they programmed for the fest, knowing the sky is the limit when it comes to amazing musicians found here. I was a bit saddened to see the lineup consisted of many bands not from this city, especial during "prime" show time spots. I guess no one else noticed such details (insert general sweeping statements about Canada, covered in snow and igloos, here). The M for Montreal CMJ lineup consisted of Heat, Solids, Lisa LeBlanc, Eman X Vlooper, Allie, Tei Shi, Lydia Ainsworth, Homeshake, The Posterz, Vesuvio Solo, and The Muscadettes.

Anyway, the highlight of the night for me was seeing Toronto's Lydia Ainsworth. She had a short set, but it was a sweet one. On stage she is accompanied by strings, which added a nice fullness to her already rich sound. Her pop vocal sensitivities compliment her complex layered musical stylings, with feelings of Bat For Lashes and Warpaint. She ended with an absolutely captivating cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game". She will be playing M for Montreal, here, in Montreal, on Wednesday November 19th, check out their full programming for details.

Sadly, for me, the rest of my NYC/CMJ trip was spent inside a hotel room, under layers of blankets, watching terrible American cable, after stocking up on strange US cold medicines form the 24 hour drug store. Until next time New York!!

--Julie Matson hosts With Gay Abandon every Monday at 4 PM EST, your afternoon dose of the best in queer music and culture, only on CJLO!