SHORE FIRE CMJ FEST HIGHLIGHTS

By: Diana D'Angelo
Slowlands is the best unsigned band I've seen/heard in a long time. Rob Krauser, his fiance Natalie and I caught them Saturday night at the Delancey. After a bite and a run in with "Charlie Rose Show" producer Taj Greenlee at Epstein's, we headed back and caught some of Carina Round's set. Her PJ Harvey meets Fiona Apple voice is amazing. We wrapped the evening with melted faces from the psychedelic rock riffs of Earl Greyhound.

By: Rob Krauser
Thursday night I saw a fabulously bluesy performance from Shore Fire's own Sonya Kitchell. She played to a packed house at the Living Room. After that SF staffer Carrie Tolles and I made our way over to the Harp/Thrill Jockey party at Tonic. We got there just in time to see Califone and the amazing Bobby Conn. Bobby was arguably my favorite performance this week.

Friday I started the night off with Deerhoof at Hiro ballroom, followed by the French Kiss showcase at Pianos. Plastic Constellations made me feel like a 14 year old at a friend's punk show and the Big Sleep caused permanent hearing loss.

I finished off my CMJ with Slowlands, Carina Round and Earl Greyhound at the Delancey. All and all a great but tiring 3 days of shows.

By: Carrie Tolles
Wednesday I stopped by Ace Of Clubs to catch Matt Mays & El Torpedo's set which was incredible as always. Having seen them a half a dozen times I can confidently say they get better and better with each show. Fellow Canadian's Wintersleep performed after. They were incredible, I would describe their sound as ambient indie pop. I'm looking forward to hearing more from them!

On Friday night I checked out one of Jesse Malin's two sold out performances at the Living Room. Jesse played some song's from 'The Heat,' a couple from 'The Fine Art of Self Destruction' and some new ones which sounded excellent. I can't wait to hear the new record!