the CMJ week in Dance w/ Showtrotta

October 21, 2008

DOWNLOAD: The Whip – Trash (South Central remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit – The Very Best Mixtape (ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: The Whip – Divebomb (FFS remix) (MP3)

Shout Out Out Out

It’s CMJ time again. In a city where there are almost always some good acts passing through it’s hard to understand what exactly the big deal is about the CMJ Music Marathon. Then you realize there will be “over 1,000 artists, in more than 65 venues in 5 days” and you have yet to even look at the schedule! Get crackin’, run around, and get down! While last year’s marathon (which featured Simian Mobile Disco, the Black Ghosts, MSTRKRFT, and Justice to name a few) will be hard to top in terms of dance music, this year’s is by no means shabby.

What looks good to me on the official schedule is here (though note that the Little Boots Annex show is actually on Thursday). Explanations & more info is below. Also, be sure to read the official CMJ schedule carefully, as typically late night dj events will often be listed under the following day (ie: a Tuesday night dj set starting at 1am will actually be listed on CMJ’s schedule under Wednesday)….

Friendly Fires

Tuesday (10/21):

Mark Ronson at S.O.B.’s
I’m not too familiar with Mark Ronson‘s DJ sets, but have heard he’s pretty good. Check out his show, Authentic Shit on East Village Radio for a better idea of what you might be listening to if you decide to check him out at the Allido Records showcase.

Friendly Fires at Bowery Ballroom
More info on Friendly Fires and an MP3 here. Lykke Li who recently played Le Poisson Rouge and is going to be playing lots of other places, is on the same bill as well as Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (who recently played Union Hall and Zebulon) and Micachu. Friendly Fires are also deejaying later in the evening at one of the many free CMJ shows at the Studio at Webster Hall. You can also catch them at our free day party on Thursday.

Jen Lasher (downstairs) at Santos
I saw Jen open for Kavinsky back in April and her set was pretty awesome. She’s deejaying the official after party for Shiny Toy Guns. More info on that here.

Radioclit (upstairs) at Santos
Way back in January I saw Radioclit deejay at Studio B. They played some good, current electro (like “Is You” by D.I.M.) as well as a lot of other good tracks that I didn’t recognize which was nice for a change. They’ve been working with Esau Mwamwaya, calling the group The Very Best, and remixing MIA and Santogold. It should be interesting to see if working with Esau has affected their deejaying. In addition to the remix, the Very Best have put together a mixtape (The Very Best Mixtape) which will be available for free download as well as on CD and 7″ on November 1st, but it’s already been making the rounds on the internet. Download it at the top of this post (tracklisting below). More info on the party here.

TVB

Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit – The Very Best Mixtape – Tracklisting

1) Kamphopo (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya, music: Architecture In Helsinki – Heart It Races)
2) Wena (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya & Bleksem, music: DJ Cleo – Wena)
3) Tengazako (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya, music: M.I.A – Paper Planes)
4) Chikondi (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya, music: Hans Zimmer – True Romance Theme)
5) Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (The Very Best Remix) (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya, music: Radioclit & Vampire Weekend)
6) Hide And Seek (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya & Teki Latex, music: TTC – Batards Sensibles)
7) Salota (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya and Blk Jks, music: Cannibal Ox – Life’s Ill)
8) Boyz (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya, Akon & M.I.A, music: M.I.A -Boyz)
9) Sister Betina (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya & Mgarimbe, music: Mgarimbe – Sister Betina)
10) Birthday (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya & The Ruby Suns, music: The Ruby Suns)
11) Funa Funa (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya, music: Radioclit)
12) Kada Manja (classic version) (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya, music: Radioclit)
13) Dinosaur Of The Lost Ark (The Very Best remix) (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya & Ben Brewer, music: Bermuda)
14) Get it Up (The Very Best Remix) (vocals : Esau Mwamwaya, Santogold, M.I.A & Northern Cree, music: Radioclit)
15) Will You Be There (vocals: Esau Mwamwaya & Michael Jackson, music: Michael Jackson – Will You Be There)

Fujiya & Miyagi @ Mercury Lounge, March 2007 (more)

Wednesday (10/22):

Fujiya & Miyagi and WhoMadeWho at Mercury Lounge (early show)
While their music incorporates some electronic elements, I wouldn’t consider them a “dance” band (though I bet this guy would beg to differ). Fujiya & Miyagi have been consistently good the three times I’ve seen them. They rock in a very understated (but awesome) way. One of the main criticisms of their past live shows has been the lack of a drummer, which I did not mind despite it initially being noticeable. They have since added one to the band and I am eager to see their live show be that much better.

As far as WhoMadeWho go, I honestly just first listened to them while writing this post. This is essentially what made me do it:

Bands such as SOULWAX, ART BRUT, FRANZ FERDINAND, THE RAPTURE, DAFT PUNK and LCD SOUNDSYSTEM were cited as fans of the band and some of them hired the three Danes as support band for their tours.

They’re from Copenhagen and cover Benny Bennasi’s “Satisfaction”. How often do you get to see that?

Tobacco is also on the bill for this show. Tobacco is a member of Black Moth Super Rainbow (who I didn’t really like when I saw them open for Fujiya & Miyagi), but maybe this will be better. The songs on Tobacco’s myspace seem more electronic and less psychedelic than I remember Black Moth’s being.

James Pants at Gallery Bar

“What will be big in 2008?
James Pants and Sebastien Tellier, Pharrell and Prince all covered with white chocolate.”- [Busy P’s Best of 2007 for XLR8R]

While I’m sold on Sebastien Tellier and the white chocolate, I’m still on the fence about Mr. Pants despite (one of my favorites) Busy P giving him the thumbs up for ’08. Check out his jams, see what you think. You can find the rest of the line-up and RSVP info here.

Bumblebeez at Pianos
I have mixed feelings about the Bumblebeez which you can read about here as well as get a couple of MP3’s. Check out the other acts playing the Free Yr Radio showcase here.

Friendly Fires at the Annex
More info on Friendly Fires is under ‘Monday’. This showcase is called “Bring on the Brits” – the other bands playing (none of which are particularly dancey) are: Virgin Passages, Radio Luxembourg, Dirty Fuzz (they’re a classic rock band, but lead vocalist Elida Zulu sang “Everybody” on Basement Jaxx last album Crazy Itch Radio), and Scouting For Girls. Also, the High Voltage x Fully Fitted CMJ showcase is happening immediately afterward at the Annex. More info and RSVP here.

The Whip at Music Hall of Williamsburg
The Whip are from Manchester and are a live electro band with a rock edge. Most of their tracks have a good amount of vocals which change things up from the straight-up thump without compromising danceability. Download the FFS remix of their track “Divebomb” and the enw South Central remix of “Trash” at the top of this post, and check out this video of them performing “Sister Siam” (one of their more mellow tracks) live at Casa de Musica:

The other bands on the bill are: As Tall As Lions, Nickel Eye (side project of The Strokes’ bassist Nikolai Fraiture), and Ki:Theory. Ki:Theory is electronic and kind of mellow. He recently remixed Ladytron‘s “Runaway” which you can listen to on his myspace. He also has two EP’s available as free downloads on his website as well as a more recent track, “My Thoughts”. Another recent track, “Holiday Heart” is available for download on his myspace. Late of the Pier are also on the bill. I’ve heard only good things about them. You can read more about them, their Erol Alkan produced debut album, and watch a video here.

WhoMadeWho

Thursday (10/23)

WhoMadeWho, Fujiya & Miyagi, and Crystal Castles at Webster Hall
Here’s a second chance to see WhoMadeWho and Fujiya & Miyagi if you don’t end up getting into their show at the much smaller Mercury Lounge on Wednesday (more on that under ‘Wednesday’). As far as Crystal Castles go, I am just now starting to warm up to them after being traumatized by the shrill beginning of their remix of Klaxons’ “Atlantis to Interzone”, though all the “scandal” surrounding them is getting a bit tiresome. Mellow, shoegazey Lymbyc System open. Also…for those without badges who are purchasing tickets to this show, you’re allowed to stick around for the Fool’s Gold showcase which is happening right after (more info at the end of this post).

The Little Death NYC at Music Hall of Williamsburg
The Little Death NYC is a band Moby is in that is not electronic/dance at all. Stars of Track and Field and the Blue Van (who are also not electronic/dance acts) are also playing this show.

Shout Out Out Out Out at the Studio at Webster Hall
I unintentionally saw Shout Out Out Out Out open for Cuizinier & DJ Orgasmic last August and they put on a very good, energetic, live electronic show. Classixx (more info and downloads, including a BV exclusive mixtape here), Wallpaper, and the Carps are also playing. Shout Out Out Out and the Carps again share a bill for BrooklynVegan at Knitting Factory on Saturday.

Little Boots at the Annex
Little Boots is also on that Saturday BrooklynVegan show (with Shout Out Out Out and the Carps). Read about why I like Little Boots HERE.

Friday (10/24)

Justin Carter (downstairs) at Santos
Justin Carter is deejaying the first Luaka Bop event in 14 years! He’ll be selecting from the Luaka Bop catalog which while it isn’t “dance music”, is sure to be interesting and eclectic. The rest of the line-up and RSVP info here. A little later on at Santos the UncensoredInterview.com & Witness CMJ Party is happening with Aaron Lacrate, DJ Rekha ,and DJ Boo.

Mattie Safer at the Annex
Mattie Safer (of The Rapture) spun a good set a couple of weeks ago at One Step Beyond at the Museum of Natural History. Dances with White Girls (who is on The Rapture-founded record label, Throne of Blood) is also going to be deejaying.

AM Only CMJ showcase at Le Royale
A lot of people are deejaying this party at Le Royale (some to look out for were mentioned in previous days descriptions so be sure to look back). Some others that I haven’t mentioned yet who you might want to check out: the Egg, Nadastrom, and Mike Simonetti. Full line-up and RSVP info here.

Roisin Murphy at Mansion Ultra Lounge
Roisin Murphy is apparently the only one performing there. She makes some nice, vocal, electro-pop (the Kylie Minogue-ish kind). I absolutely fell in love with Trevor Loveys remix of her track “You Know Me Better”, which you can stream here. Some videos and ticket info can be found here.

Radio 4 at 92Y Tribeca
I have never been to a bad Radio 4 show. They play consistently awesome, highly danceable rock (with hints of electronic and punk) that is a lot of fun to get down to. Tickets and the rest of the line-up are here.

Pete Tong Presents: Insiders at the Fillmore at Irving Plaza
This is without a doubt the show I am most looking forward to this entire week and Soulwax’s show back in August was without a doubt the best show I’ve been to thusfar in ’08. What David and Stephen Dewaele (of Soulwax) started in the 90’s evolved from what was essentially a rock band to a live electronic music act. Their current show takes wonderful live drums, bass, guitar, and percussion and expertly pairs them with analog synths and a variety of other electronic elements yielding an experience that perfectly captures the energy of a live rock show with the danceability of a great live electronic one. The headlining act on Pete Tong‘s diverse bill which consists of Rob Da Bank, The Whip, Luciano, Late of the Pier, James Lavelle, and 2ManyDJ’s, are sure to be one of many highlights of what is going to be, simply put…a dancefloor rager. I strongly urge you to go to this show. Set times, ticket info (including a recent discount), and trailer for the Soulwax documentary, Part of the Weekend Never Dies (a screening of which has just been added to the Insiders event) can be found here.

The Whip at the Annex
This happens after their Insiders performance. More info on them under ‘Wednesday’.

Saturday (10/25)

Iheartcomix party at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
Though only Shout Out Out Out Out is jumping out at me it looks like Iheartcomix has put together quite a line-up of electronic acts.

And…that about does it in terms of getting down (officially) for this year’s CMJ Marathon.

BUT! Don’t forget about all of the parties that are happening that aren’t official CMJ shows. They’re half the fun, not to mention the other “regular” events that just happen to fall during the Marathon. Here’s a quick rundown of just a few things that are going on:

– MeanRed and GBH are each throwing a bunch of parties that look very good all week.
– There are also a lot of good events happening at Love: Giant Step on Wednesday, Tortured Soul on Thursday, and the My Crew be Unruly CMJ Blowout on Friday.

– Tuesday(10/21) Trusme is at APT

– While the Fool’s Gold showcase (happening Thursday – 10/23) isn’t on the actual CMJ schedule, they’re accepting limited badges. Last year’s was great and with this year’s line-up things should be headed in that direction once again: