Back into the 1980s, I used to go to the New Music Seminar every year. I was younger then and more willing to pal around with industry types, hang out, catch some shows. In 2012 I am in too big a hurry, arriving at a venue for a show and on the road the moment it is over. I'd rather buy my tix and not be bothered.Which has left me disinterested in the annual College Music Marathon that starts today. I hate institutions, badges, consensus opinion, waiting in line, all the things normal social people thrive on. But really, how can you hate a yearly get together of indie bands who need the attention and who will get it with literally hundreds of concerts?
If I could, I would take the next coupla days off and just run around from Union Square to Ludlow Street and catch band after band! This isn't about who you know, it is about who you are gonna discover next. if you want to search out the stars, OK, you are gonna have a headache getting in. But is this really the time or place to find the stars? Ben Gibbard and Dave Wakeling are playing this years CMJ, but really, why see them under CMJ conditions?
There are tons of free concerts, all day long concerts with RSVPs and that's where the action is. I wonder how many you could fit into the week if you had the time. I am thinking 12 a day easy! Just get down to Ludlow Street. I love young bands, what they lose in experience, they gain in enthuisiasm and I love writing nice things about them. It is so important for them to be appreciated by people who are gonna take them seriously.
I am really exciting about it, now, that I can see how to deal with it. Not to worry about the names that are about to break but maintain my love for those bands that may get big, or may just have this moment, but now I get the chance to really check them out.
When I say I am antisocial, I really really am. I am not friends with pop stars because I can't deal with them, but that's me. For the people who have signed up for CMJ this is a great way for fans and bands to meet up, industry types, bloggers, writers all of us. It is like the NYU of Music festivals, there is no center to it, it spralls from one club to another.
Anyway I absolutely appreciate the CMJ for press listing me and am just sorry I won't have the opportunity to really get deep into it… this year?