New York Postcard: Punch drunk Northern Spies

A week plus in NYC always kicks my ass in a good way: Closing out bars after midnight (This a view from the door of Banjo Jim's), soaking up music CMJ showcases from a gazillion other artists, procuring Northern Spy apples at Union Square green market ('the best for pie' they say in New York. ...we shall see.)
Of the music, I thoroughly enjoyed pretty much all of the afternoon line-up at The Living Room on Friday. Yahoo to Kim Taylor, as well as Annie and the Beekeepers. And my fave act so far: The Punch Brothers made me a fan at their Living Room Appearance just now. Wowza, chamber/jazz/bluegrass to keep you in your seat and slacken your jaw!

Everyone has something to sing..

The sheer number of bands loading in and setting up and rolling for CMJ is somewhat boggling. I've seen a bunch of great acts the past few days without trying too hard including sets I liked more than I thought I would by PT Walkley and Joshua James, two young guns with extremely tight bands. Indie dudes are rampant around the streets of NYC let me tell you. Tonight I'm checking out some indie gals at both the TM Promotions Showcase and MPress Records Showcase bookended by Banjo Jim's where my fellow songwriter Rachel Lee Walsh is opening and I'm closing the bill.

Jailbreakers: John Forté & My Jerusalam

I don't live so differently in NY than I do at home, which a friend in SF kindly reminded me. But you know, it's New York, and everything's a cut above. I 'accidently' am here during CMJ while I haven't been building my days around the New York equivalent of SXSW (more than 1000 bands are officially showcasing), it's impossible to ignore (if you are a music type). Amid my own schtick this week, I've caught a couple acts yesterday at the Paste magazine party at The Living Room. Nothing like regaining your freedom for fueling good performances, I walked in to see John Forté playing solo with a guitar and a heap of heartfelt sung/spoken social commentary. I was soon schooled on the fact that the former Fugees producer and rapper had spent 7 years in jail before recieving a pardon for a drug bust from then President Bush (speaking of Presidents, Obama also hit town yesterday). In that time, Forte picked up the guitar and fast-forward to freedom, has a new EP out. He was followed by the New Orleans based My Jerusalam who I loved for immediately. Tight guitar/vox/bass/violin/keys AND trumpet by former members of The Twilight Singers, Great Northern & Polyphonic Spree. Evidently, their drummer had also just been released from jail for a much lesser charge than forte that involved some sort of public indecency. Despite the somewhat jaded day-party audience, they also delivered what they got with conviction.