The CMJ Music Marathon descends upon New York City a little later than usual this year, kicking off on Halloween and running through November 4. The first round of announcements about performers has just been made. Look forward to catching the Black Keys, Suzanne Vega, White Whale, Hot Chip, Madlib, Keren Ann, Cloud Clut, Portastatic, Ben Lee, Deerhoof, Joseph Arthur, and many others.
Get the inside scoop on Americana music, September 20 through September 22. This year’s performers include Dave Alvin, Carrie Rodriguez, Chatham County Line, the Gourds, Jim Lauderdale, Tim Easton, Jon Lanford, Darrell Scott, Shawn Mullins, Mando Saenz, Grayson Capps, HEM, Mindy Smith, James McMurtry, the Duhks, and James Hunter. The conference will also feature more that 50 panels covering all aspects of the business, including the always-popular Music Meeting (9/22) presented by our own Sean Coakley and Leslie Rouffe.
Madeleine Peyroux will grace your ears with a new song tonight on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Get ready to sweat it out in the Live Music Capital of the World! This year’s lineup includes Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Gnarls Barkley, the Flaming Lips, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Massive Attack, John Mayer, the Raconteurs, Ray LaMontagne, Matisyahu, the Shins, Iron & Wine, Kasey Chambers, Van Morrison, and Willie Nelson. The Festival runs September 15 through September 17.
Hip-hop’s favorite duo performs live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight. Maybe they’ll even have a chance to get in a few words about their new film, Idlewild.
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks in Bravo TVland, with a challenge moving to Paris and back, and the two least talented hangers-on (Angela and Vincent) getting eliminated from Project Runway. I was not sad to see either go–particularly Vincent, after that unbelievably transparent and creepy play for Catherine Malandrino’s affection. I must say, the designers this year have more talent (in aggregate) than in any past season–they’ve faced incredibly difficult challenges and turned out beautiful, wearable garments.
Now, we’re getting down to the really tough choices. I think it’s clear that, as much as everyone loves Kayne’s personality, his trashy taste is going to force him out next. (Tune in tonight at 10:00 to see if I’m right!) I like Laura the least out of the four who would remain–she makes the same boring design again and again–but a lot of fans seem to dig her. It seems that Michael and Uli are shoo-ins for the final three, so I guess the question is this: will Jeffrey keep it together?
All I know is that I’m keeping my eyes off the fashion pages, as it is actually fashion week in New York right now, and I don’t want to find out who’s in the runway show, which would spoil the rest of the season.
The sure-fire pickin’ of Sam Bush will match up with the angelic pipes of Emmylou Harris tonight on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Todd Snider carries the torch for John Prine and Kris Kristofferson–he’s an outlaw songwriter with a beat poet’s soul. Catch him on The Late Show with David Letterman on Friday.
Michael Franti & Spearhead are always a joy in a live setting. Check out The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Wednesday to hear them play a tune from their amazing new record, Yell Fire!
Pete Yorn will perform live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday.