October 18, 2010 • Category: Blog, Promotions
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In New York City, fall is marked by the leaves in Central Park changing color, the sun setting well before the end of the work day, the return of chunky knitwear and thigh-high boots, and thousands of audiophiles swarming Downtown Manhattan to attend the annual CMJ Music Marathon. During the Marathon, which rocks out near Algonquin’s West Village annex from October 19-23, lesser-known and emerging artists are given the chance to impress major players in the music industry. Lady Gaga, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, and Arcade Fire (to name a few) all played CMJ before becoming music icons.
We’ll be clearing our schedules on October 21 to watch Merge superstars John Darnelle (Mountain Goats) and Franklin Bruno play as The Extra Lens at their CMJ showcase, 9pm at Mercury Lounge. Can’t jam with us? The Extra Lens will be dropping their long-awaited album, Undercard, on October 19. And lo and behold! We have THREE copies to give away along with copies of OUR NOISE: The Story of Merge Records, The Indie Label That Got Big and Stayed Small, which remarks on the impact of CMJ in addition to sharing candid photos and the behind-the-scenes of some of your favorite Merge bands: Arcade Fire, Magnetic Fields, Spoon, Lambchop, Superchunk, and more. Check out the phenomenal OUR NOISE website here.
For a chance to win, leave a comment about your favorite CMJ or indie concert memory. We’ll choose three winners via a top-secret magical process.
–Emily Parliman, Publisher’s Assistant
Tags: Arcade Fire, Giveaway, Lambchop, Magnetic Fields, Merge, Our Noise, Spoon, Superchunk, The Extra Lens, Undercard
Jon Holley says...
One of my many favorite Indy show memories was seeing The Elected play a show in Seattle at a church there was a sign that said there was to be no swearing, spitting or drinking alcohol and they did all three. To top that show off that is where I was introduced to one of my favorite bands ever Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s. From the hitting the stage and starting their first song I was hooked and havnt missed a show or album release. Now if only The Elected would get back in the studio and tour again
October 18, 2010@ 1:39 PMNative JD says...
I love Superchunk and Lou Barlow. A work trip in June took me to Denver where I got to see both on back to back nights.
Thanks Mac and Merge employees for making this attorney’s dreary life a little better.
October 18, 2010@ 12:51 PMGreg says...
Of course “indie” is defined differently depending on who you ask. I define it as any band standing in gas who’s just waiting for that spark to ignite it. The closer you are to that moment the more amazing it is. My greatest moment(s) involve Jennifer Nettles of the country act Sugarland. Before her current career arc she was part of a great Georgia folk-rock act Jennifer Nettles Band, and before that the incomparable duo Soul Miner’s Daughter. I caught every show of hers that I could, and a common conversation amongst members of the audience was, “How is she not famous?” I like Sugarland okay, but the Soul Miner’s Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band CDs are albums that I share with every music lover I meet. Nettles is a polished, professional country star now — but I’ll always remember her on stage at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA, wearing a wife-beater, baggy shorts, with that now-golden hair pinned up in crazy braids and buds, singing “Round and Round” and everyone in the room spinning along with her.
October 18, 2010@ 12:35 PMBeGee says...
Easy: Merge Night @ Threadwaxing Space sometime in the late 90s. Magnetic Fields & Versus played, but the headline act was Lambchop. The ‘Chop, that night, was comprised of: Ira, Georgia & James as the rhythm section; Julian & Scott from NMH on saw & trumpet, respectively; Mac on keyboards; Shark Quest person on banjo; plus the rest of the Lambchop collective. Magic ensued, culminating in a big run through “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.”
October 18, 2010@ 12:27 PMBeth says...
I saw Portastatic open for the Squirrel Nut Zippers in Providence in the 1990s. later I realized i really adored Portastatic, but SNZ was eminently more danceable.
October 18, 2010@ 12:25 PMSarah A. says...
My favorite CMJ was going in ’99 when the hurricane hit, going to shows soaking wet and happy. Best memories of the AIP showcase, Macha, and most of all, Elf Power, who put on such a fun, energetic, awesome show! Best non-CMJ: seeing Superchunk and Arcade Fire put on a free outdoor show in Carrboro, NC. It was a blast. (I’ve really been wanting to get a copy of Our Noise!)
October 18, 2010@ 12:20 PMThanks so much!
Marty says...
I saw King Missle in college with about 35 other people and John Hall was out of his mind the entire show. It was awesome and I still have the t-shirt 20 years later.
October 18, 2010@ 11:19 AMHeather says...
My favorite memory is going to see The Love Language in Winston-Salem with my friend who follows them around like a dedicated groupie should. The band gave a great performance and there was lots of good energy. That makes all the difference, but seeing my friend so happy made the night really memorable!
October 18, 2010@ 10:32 AMScot says...
Always wanted to go to an Indie concert, but always been too broke to go.
October 18, 2010@ 10:21 AMEmily H. says...
My favorite indie concert memory is going to see Dan Vaillancourt in Indianapolis on a perfect spring day.
October 18, 2010@ 9:48 AM