Greetings from New York City!
It’s been a long week of traveling for the Sidels. The combo of this week’s CMJ Music Festival and tour of Sidel family members finds me run a bit ragged. One thing I have to say is that this week’s weather has treated us Angelinos with a smile. Seems like we “canyon folk” have brought an “idelic” summer to this year’s annual CMJ music conference.
Wait a second. I need to pump myself up here! After all, I am here by ritual in NYC, now running on my third decade! This convention of “college” bands holds cherished memories on stages and streets of the greatest city of the twentieth century, and yet I still feel the need to be a bit more excited by the occasion.
Maybe a rally chant would help?
OK, NY party people:
Gimme a C!
Gimme a M!
Gemme a J!
What’s that spell? What’s that spell? What’s that spell motherfucker?
Well, sadly it spells College Music Journal. In 2013, “college” as we used to call it in the UK scene and “college radio” here in the US, is a thing of the past. A smart rock journalist might refer to this year’s CMJ as the year of the throwback. Musically, I tend to agree. Most of the bands I’m seeing this year are a watered down “rip” of something cool from a CMJ previous. That said, this year Idelic Hour countdown of CMJ songs is cool and has its highlights.
For me this week’s most noteworthy moment came walking down 3rd Avenue transfixed by the flood of emails bombarding my outdated Blackberry. As I came upon St. Mark’s Place, I looked up to pay respects to this legendary corner and found myself in front of the Continental Club. My pal Trigger, the owner, was as always standing watch.
In this timeless moment, I joined in conversation with Trig and former 80s club promoter Mark Moskin. We spoke about sloppy nights of CMJs past and one of my bands’ most memorable gigs sharing the bill with The Waldos. Continental Club. CMJ twenty years ago. Now the club is a simple pub, no bands. Trigger guards the block, serene. It’s someone else’s turn. We can dig it. I’ll say it once and again a thousand times. My rock ‘n’ roll journey is about two things; great songs and the cool people I’ve met.
OK, enough with the “throwback talk.” Let the musical sounds of CMJ 2013 do the talking!
Laurel Canyon, I’ll be home soon…
The Idelic Hit of the Week:
Courtney Barnett – Lance Jr
