Com Truise

Saturday, October 20th @ Gramercy Theatre
What the world needs is more blurry, sludgy electro in the vein of Tobacco. The NJ-based producer put out his debut Galactic Melt (very brain-melting) in 2011, and released In Decay, an album of previously un-released material, this year. - JUDY NELSON

SEE ALSO: COM TRUISE INTERVIEW

Prince Rama

Riding on the wave of their recent high-concept release Top Ten Hits For The End Of The World, one can imagine Prince Rama will be bringing it this year at CMJ, as their thunderous pop hits and live performances become more and more theatrical with every tour. - VIVIAN HUA

SEE ALSO: PRINCE RAMA INTERVIEW

Slam Donahue

Slam Donahue is a threesome who released their EP Hemlock Tea this year. Similar to Passion Pit, their poppy, New Wave-ish songs will likely have you singing along, even if it’s your first time hearing them. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

Young Magic

After temporarily losing a member to Germany due to visa issues, Young Magic have stripped down into a leaner two-piece without sacrificing any of their stately otherworldliness or percussive hypnotic qualities. - VIVIAN HUA

Teen Daze

Tuesday, October 16h @ Piano’s
Hazy dance rock, Teen Daze is a producer based out of Vancouver. His songs are music you can bob your head to, as many people will be doing at his CMJ show. - JUDY NELSON

Brainstorm

REDEFINE favorites and Portland Afro-pop duo turned trio has been attracting nation-wide attention with their hyperpop jams ever since being signed to Tender Loving Empire. They’ll be warming up the east coast with their newly released full-length record, Heat Waves. - VIVIAN HUA

Murals

Friday, October 19th @ Piano’s
With a similar vibe to Beach Fossils, Ducktails, and other bands on the Woodsist label, Murals’ 2012 debut On a Passing Cloud has a ‘60s rock feel that is infectious. If you catch them live this year, you’ll probably be one of the first. - JUDY NELSON

Fenster

Berlin via NYC band Fenster create what they call “deconstructed pop,” which will make you smile and maybe even bob your head a little. Things get a little experimental on their debut album Bones and their creativity with ambient sound samples is unexpected. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

Chains of Love

Wednesday, October 17th @ Knitting Factory
Wednesday, October 17th @ Piano’s
Chains of Love describe themselves as “Death Pop Peroxide Soul”, and it kind of makes sense. Hailing from Vancouver, their album from this year plays like a combination of Motown and Dum Dum Girls. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

Debo Band

Thursday, October 18th @ Knitting Factory
Furthering the cause of bringing international music to indie rock fans, Debo Band is playing CMJ. An 11-member band playing Afro-pop-rock, the band has toured all over the world for the past seven years, playing on diverse stages at the Ethiopian Music Festival, Lincoln Center, and even Webster Hall. Their self-titled debut album came out this year and heavily features Danny Mekonnen and vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. (They’re playing at Knitting Factory on Thursday October 18th for CMJ, but if you have a badge, I would call the venue ahead of time. Last year Knitting Factory turned us away and said that they were not participating in CMJ!) - JUDY NELSON

Michna

Wedneday, October 17th @ Cake Shop
Wedneday, October 17th @ Le Baron
Low-key electronica with bounce, Michna has been quietly making music that music geeks love for many years, although he has only released on proper studio album in 2008, entitled Magic Monday. Witness the magic live at CMJ this year at Cake Shop during the day on Wednesday Oct 17th, or at night at Le Baron. - JUDY NELSON

Nneka

Friday, October 19th @ Littlefield
R&B siren Nneka put out a stellar album, Concrete Jungle, in 2010 that deserved much more mainstream praise than it received. After staying under the radar even after another album release in 2011, the Nigerian born Germany-raised singer brings her powerful voice and eclectic music of influences to the stage. - JUDY NELSON

Sudden Weather Change

It doesn’t take long to notice that Sudden Weather Change are influenced by the angst of ’90s rock. They have a youthful sound full of grinding guitars and tempo changes. There are times where their music also brings to mind bands that you’d find on Polyvinyl Records such as American Football and Braid. It is common for their songs have loud bursts of passions at times, while other songs convey a more introverted melancholy mood. With that combination, you can expect a booming and complex live show. - KARLA HERNANDEZ

DIIV

Saturday, October 20th @ Gramercy Theatre
DIIV make music that you’d expect from a band on Captured Tracks, and considering that the band was started by Zachary Cole Smith, who plays guitar in Beach Fossils, the hazy songs make sense. However, the song compositions carry a tempo kick that makes the band stand out and engages listeners a bit more than most bands of this genre. Instead of sticking to an aesthetic that seems completely worn out, the music has a touch of sunshine and crispness, sort of like the moment on a foggy day when the fog starts to dissolve. - KARLA HERNANDEZ

JJAMZ

Thursday, October 18th @ Bowery Electric
Friday, October19th @ Webster Hall
JJAMZ is a supergroup that was formed at a karaoke night in LA by James Valentine (Maroon 5), Jason Boesel (Rilo Kiley/Bright Eyes), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Michael Runion, and Z Berg (The Like). This summer’s Suicide Pact features poppy hooks and lush vocals from Berg. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

Deap Vally

Thursday, October 18th @ Bowery Ballroom
Singer-guitarist Lindsey Troy and drummer Julie Edwards are Deap Vally, a band whose music hearkens back to early The White Stripes and classic Led Zeppelin, and whose big hair hearkens back to the ‘80s. Their latest single, “End of the World,” a gritty ode off carpe diem, comes out November 19. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

Born Ruffians

Friday, October 19th @ Brooklyn Bowl
Saturday, October 20th @ Piano’s
This band caught my ear with their debut Red, Yellow, and Gold on Warp in 2008. They followed up with an equally impressive sophomore album that only made a small ripple. Let’s hope that they make a bigger splash in NY this year. - JUDY NELSON

Killer Mike

Thursday, October 18th @ Irvine Plaza
Atlanta hip-hop in old-school fashion, Killer Mike has a message and manages to shout it above all of the din. His intelligent lyrics, riffs on Reagan, and musings on hip-hop in general made his 2011 album R.A.P. Music a huge hit. I saw him live over the summer opening for El-P and he impressed me. You should catch him with GZA performing his legendary Liquid Swords. - JUDY NELSON

Araabmuzik

Araabmuzik is hip-hop producer Abraham Orellana, who uses an MPC drum machine to make catchy and complex beats. Watching him manipulate the machine live is hypnotic; his set at this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival was one of the best of the festival and created an instant dance party. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

MNDR

Thursday, October 18th @ Bowery Ballroom
MNDR has been making waves in the NYC music scene, almost as much due to her flamboyant personal style as for her synthpop. Her live shows are entertaining dance-a-thons, and you’ll like this year’s Feed Me Diamonds if you’re a fan of La Roux and Santigold. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

The Love Language

One of those bands that fits perfectly onto the Merge roster, The Love Language broke through to indie rock audiences with their solid 2010 release Pedals. They have been touring relentlessly since. - JUDY NELSON

Von Haze

Wednesday, October 17th @ Public Assembly
Slow and definitely hazey, Von Haze’s 2011 self-titled debut made a small splash last year on the indie scene. The band is back to try their luck in NY again at Public Assembly. - JUDY NELSON

Jennifer O’Connor

Solo artist Jennifer O’Connor has been writing songs on her own since the year 2000, and her gentle mix of affecting lyrics and catchy guitar makes her one of the preeminent singer-songwriters of our time. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

Robert Glasper

Robert Glasper has been making jazz music his whole life, but his most recent album represents a new curiosity. He explores hip-hop and soul and has guests like Lupe Fiasco, Bilal, and Erykah Badu joining him in his new fusion project. - DEVORAH KLEIN LEV-TOV

das racist

This hip-hop duo took the internet by force and drilled their single, “Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell,” into thousands (perhaps millions) of heads repeatedly, and deservedly so. Not for a long time has hip-hop sounded this fresh, interesting, intellectual, and relevant. Check out their free mixtape on their website before seeing them live at CMJ. You’ll have many chances to see them live, too; they are playing at least 5 shows. -JN
12:30PM @ Pianos

smoosh

Another sister group, these young women hail from Seattle and have been playing music since they were wee little girls, recording their first album when they were 10 and 12 and opening for the likes of Cat Power, Pearl Jam, and Sufjan Stevens. Their latest has a more mature and less poppy sound, with lush vocals and sweeping melodies, as well as younger sister Maia on bass. -DK
8:00PM @ Mercury Lounge

francis and the lights

Francis Farewell Starlite and his band Francis And The Lights have been steadily working the New York scene. It’s finally paying off with the release of their debut album, It’ll Be Better, and their opening stints for Canadian hip-hop act Drake and MGMT. You’ll love grooving to their funky, ’80s throwback sound. -DK
8:00PM @ The Studio at Webster Hall

the photo atlas

Despite having a personal connection to the band (they slept on the floor of my tiny apt one CMJ years ago), I thoroughly enjoy their brand of synth-dance rock. They were signed to the fated Stolen Transmission label, and put out one release in 2007. I am hoping that their CMJ appearance will revive them into another album! -JN
12:00AM @ Trash Bar

The Drums

The Drums have been on a steady incline this year, and their June debut album has been on a steady rotation on many an iPod. Their indie-surf pop is joyful, groovy, and bubbly, and it will get stuck in your head. They’re only playing one show at Webster Hall, with Surfer Blood. -DK
8:00PM @ Webster Hall

wild nothing

Virginia’s Jack Tatum lets loose in a fuzzy, dreamy, classic ’80s kind of way. Paying homage to bands like The Smiths, Cocteau Twins, and My Bloody Valentine, Wild Nothing’s dream pop will have you shoegazing the night away. -DK
12:00AM @ Santos Party House

how to dress well

An interesting combination of R&B influences and the current chill-wave movement, How To Dress Well is the solo project of Tom Krell. His debut full-length as HTDW, entitled Love Remains, came out this month to rave reviews. -JN
1:45AM @ The Delancey

terrible things

“The trio is comprised of very accomplished individual songwriters, and Terrible Things is varied and interesting enough to appeal to the fans of their previous bands (Taking Back Sunday, The Color Fred, Hot Rod Circuit), particularly for Jackson and Mascherino, whose bands could have easily performed the songs that appear on this stellar debut.” -RP
7:00PM @ Gramercy Theatre

dirty projectors

It seems a bit daunting that Dirty Projectors are playing Madison Square Garden, but all I know is, they’re easily one of the best bands I’ve seen all year. -VH
8:00PM @ Madison Square Garden

ava luna

Brooklynites with a unique sound, Ava Luna combines a unholy alchemy of doo-wop, synth, and dance. Their groove will put your heart aflutter, make your brain pulse, and have you shake your booty. -DK
6:30PM @ Public Assembly

the luyas

A Montreal band with ties to Miracle Fortress, Bell Orchestre, and The Arcade Fire, The Luyas use unconventional instruments like a French horn and a 12-string electric zither. They haven’t played that many US shows yet, so hear ‘em while their still somewhat under the radar. -DK
7:00PM @ Arlene’s Grocery

dark dark dark

Dark Dark Dark, a six-person band who is aptly described as being a “chamber-folk” group, features intense vocals with lush, beautiful instrumentation (instruments featured include trumpet, accordion, and piano). Their debut full-length album, Wild Go, just came out on October 5. -DK
8:00PM @ Coco 66

emil & friends

Modern electronic funk, rolling deep into the soul with smooth grooves and falsettos, bolstered by 8-bit noises. This is just feel-good dance music. -VH
8:00PM @ Public Assembly

the binary marketing show

“An experimental lo-fi project which falls somewhere between a backwoods campfire jam session and an electronic crapshoot in a dingy basement, the binary marketing show… will really, really appeal to a select demographic. Perhaps that demographic is you.” -VH
8:00PM @ Lit Lounge

young man

Painfully honest and nostalgic songwriting that recalls childhood and days long gone, the music of Colin Caulfield is wrapped up tight in reverbed vocals and lies comfortably on a bed of dreamy psychedelic pop elements. -VH
8:00PM @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg

john vanderslice

His latest, Romanian Names, is just the most recent in a series of beautiful, hard edge folky rock records put out by John Vanderslice. Using classic rock influences to craft thoughtful, intimate songs for the past ten years, Vanderslice has emerged as a quiet leader in the indie rock community. -JN
8:00PM @ Mercury Lounge

french horn rebellion

Williamsburg represent! Two brothers formed this neo-disco band in 2007 when younger brother Robert Perlick-Molinari, an accomplished French horn player, sought out older brother David’s advice and participation in his “rebellion” to the limitations of that instrument. Thus their dance-happy electropop sound was born. -DK
9:15PM @ The Studio At Webster Hall

screaming females

Rarely does one band have such an excellent package: kick-ass guitar riffs, a spitfire of a female lead singer, and a live exuberance that makes every show exciting. If you haven’t ever seen NJ’s Screaming Females live, don’t miss them. -JN
9:30PM @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg

the mynabirds

Laura Burhenn, formerly one half of Georgie James, has finally found her sound in her latest project, The Mynabirds. Her bold, soulful renditions tug at the heartstrings but still keep your toes tapping. -DK
11:00PM @ The Delancey

lower dens

The latest hottest thing to come out of Baltimore, Lower Dens has the added cache of having Jana Hunter as a frontwoman, and she’s brought her musty, dusky, lusty voice with her. They have no less than 10 shows during CMJ (and possibly more), so you have no excuse for missing them! -DK
11:45PM @ Knitting Factory

francis and the lights

Francis Farewell Starlite and his band Francis And The Lights have been steadily working the New York scene. It’s finally paying off with the release of their debut album, It’ll Be Better, and their opening stints for Canadian hip-hop act Drake and MGMT. You’ll love grooving to their funky, ’80s throwback sound. -DK
11:00PM @ Mercury Lounge

first aid kit

Gotta love the Swedes! Sister duo Johanna and Klara Söderberg use folksy harmonies to create beautiful music as First Aid Kit. Check out their video for their cover of Fleet Foxes’ “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song.” -DK
11:00PM @ Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2

morning teleportation

With their new album nearing on the horizon, Portland’s psych-pop attic-dwellers Morning Teleportation are on the up and up for a damn good reason. -VH
11:00PM @ Public Assembly

+/- {plus/minus}

Fronted by James Baluyut of the band Versus, this indie-rock staple has been making music for almost a decade. Known for their driving guitar lines and wistful harmonies, the band hasn’t put an album out in over 2 years. Here’s hoping their CMJ performance is a preview for some new music. -JN
12:10AM @ Rock Shop

matthew dear

Don’t miss Matthew Dear, who has made quite a name for himself as an inventive producer of electronic music — a rare notable breed in the United States. -VH
3:30AM @ Webster Hall

diehard

Brooklyn band Diehard has been playing live locally for the past year, and finally has put out their first official EP this fall. The indie powerpop quartet plays fun, upbeat, and not over-saturated songs that are good for dancing, or even comfortable swaying. -JN
1:30PM @ Spike Hill

corin tucker band

Guitarist/vocalist from the much adored Sleater-Kinney is back with a “solo” album of sorts. Joined by Unwound’s Sara Lund and The Golden Bears’ Seth Lorinczi, Tucker crafts a masterpiece reflecting on her personal hiatus from music, family life, and her love of Twilight: New Moon. -JN
9:00PM @ Maxwell’s

cults

The single “Go Outside” by Cults has been playing nonstop on blogs for the past few months, and it makes sense because they are such a summery, upbeat band. The duo is young (21-years-old), and they sound it, but their youthful nature is what makes them so charming. Their 7″ is available through Forest Family Records, and word on the street is that their full-length will drop in January 2011. -JN
10:00PM @ Santos Party House

turbo fruits

No pretentions here; Turbo Fruits are pure punk fun. Originally a member of the now defunct Be Your Own Pet, band leader Jonas Stein decided to trek out on his own, to (pardon the pun) fruitful results. Turbo Fruits are full of energy, and have a modern, rowdy take on the punk genre that will thrill any music fun-seekers. -JN
11:20PM @ Knitting Factory