Style & Culture

Big Apple experience

WMEB directors take part in NYC music fest

By Karen Sanborn

Posted on Nov. 14, 2002, at 12:00 a.m.

Karen Sanborn

Karen and contact Moose from The Syndicate in New Jersey. He helped promote Howie Day's latest album.

Karen Sanborn

WMEB music directors Emily Burnham (left) and Karen Sanborn at the CMJ Music Festival in New York City. The festival ran from October 30 to November 2.

Charting industry hits and shifting through packages of CDs from hopeful artists while talking hours at a time with promoters and label reps, sums up the average experience of a college music director. However, there is one week a year when music directors nationwide get payback for their hard work and dedication. In droves, these music directors travel to the mecca of music, New York City, for the College Music Journal Music Marathon. If you aren’t familiar with the CMJ Music Marathon, it is a one-week experience in New York full of performances, film shorts and schmooze-fests with your favorite labels. If you are a music enthusiast, follow Paul J. Bosse, Emily Burnham, Michael Murphy and myself from 91.9 FM WMEB, as we show you the highlights and inside scoop on the music industry’s most talked about party in New York City.

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Start time: 3:45 a.m.

Daily Highlights: We stood in line at the Hilton with members of Jurassic 5. Loaded several bags up with free CDs, products and business cards of labels. At night we joined hundreds of other music directors at the Bowery Ballroom for the CMJ Opening Showcase.

Daily Performance Accumulation: Eight – The Rosenbergs at the CMJ Day Stage at the Hilton, Martin’s Folly at the Lakeside Lounge and Polyphonic Spree, Hazeldine, Robert Randolph, Northern State and Gogol Bordello at the Bowery Ballroom on Delancey Street.

End time: 3:30 a.m., Thursday

Thursday, Oct. 31

Start time: 10 a.m.

Daily Highlights: I met several of my promoters and label reps today, partook of a few free complementary beverages, took part in some karaoke at Arlene’s Grocery and Luna Lounge, and listened to the wise words of legendary British punkster Johnny Marr. In the evening, Emily, Murph and I went to the infamous rock joint CBGB’s. Finally, we made it to the Irving Plaza to see the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs.

Daily Performance Accumulation: Eight – Oranges Band and Ted Leo at the CMJ Day Stage at the Hilton, Gary Lightbody of the Reindeer Section at the Luna Lounge, Diamanda Galas at Joe’s Pub, Digger, Mustard Plug, Atom and His Package at CBGB’s and the renowned Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs at Irving Plaza.

End time: 3 a.m., Friday

Friday, Nov. 1

Start time: 7:45 a.m.

Daily Highlights: Today began with an early schmooze breakfast, compliments of Capitol Records, an educational panel on indie rock promotions vs. commercial promotions. Then a trip across the city to visit our reps at Mcgathy College Music Promotions, a chat with Tori Amos, beer and good conversation with long-term contact Lenny from Interscope/Geffen Records, and an incredible performance by Sigur Ros (you may know their music from “Vanilla Sky”). Finally, to put the icing on the cake, a post-party at The Antartica with promoters, label reps and various music directors around 1:30 a.m.

Daily Performance Accumulation: Four – Jason Loewenstein on the Day Stage at the Hilton, Sigur Ros at the Beacon Theatre, and indie rockers Palomar and The Red and The Black at the Village Underground.

End time: 3:30 a.m., Saturday

Saturday, Nov. 2

Start time: 10 a.m.

Daily Highlights: Listened as Brad Corrigan of Dispatch explained the essentials of how to survive in the music business, then took a tour of the NBC studios and saw a live rehearsal with Will of “Will and Grace” and Chris Kattan of “Saturday Night Live.” We then feasted on pizza at John’s Pizza, compliments of Ryko Disc Records, and traveled to Brooklyn for an exclusive Epitaph Records Showcase.

Daily Performance Accumulation: Six – The Polyphonic Spree on the CMJ Day Stage with the former leader of the Tripping Daisy, Tim Delaughter, saw the groundbreaking indie group The Slip at the Lion’s Den, traveled to Brooklyn for the Epitaph Showcase featuring Ikara Colt, Division of Laura lee, Dillinger Escape Plan, and the (International) Noise Conspiracy at the Warsaw.

End time: 3:50 a.m., Sunday

Sunday, Nov. 3

Start time: 10:30 a.m.

Daily Highlights: Dragged ourselves out of the hotel beaten and tired and traveled back to Maine.

End time: 2 a.m., back in bed in Old Town and ready for some zzzzz!

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 14th, 2002, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.