I checked in to CMJ headquarters, aka Judson Church in the West Village, at around 6pm to pick up my pass for the 2010 CMJ festival. From there I headed over to the Pure Volume House in the East Village, the Pure Volume house is a lounge for the press/VIPs and of course the artists participating in CMJ 2010. There are pool tables and a bar with free vodka and beer and lots of coffee drinks, Kangol hats and potato chips. At the Pure Volume House I had the pleasure of meeting New York by way of Alaska band The Lives of Famous Men who are playing a CMJ showcase at Arlene’s Grocery this Saturday 10/23.

From the Pure House I headed east to the Alphabet Lounge to catch Heavy Birds and The Art of Shooting. Heavy Birds consist of Lia Mooney on cello and Ryan Bourque on vox and guitar. Their music is ethereal and very beautiful but hearing it being played in a 9 to 5, lounge in the East Village that normally never features that type of music took a lot away from their sound. Had I seen Heavy Birds at a place like the Glasslands I would have a whole new appreciation for their music.

The Art of Shooting was next up and they rocked it! The Art of Shooting consists of front woman Kelly Irene, who is the indie rock version of Mae West with an amazing set of pipes, bassist Julie and drummer Jim, all of whom were incredibly tight this evening and debuted a fantastic new song. In fact, the only negative thing about my time at the Alphabet Lounge was that the battery on my camera died right in the middle of The Art of Shooting’s set! I’m charging it tonight and once it’s charged I will post pics of both Heavy Birds and The Art of Shooting.

I ended the evening by heading out to the Rock Shop to catch the Diamond Doves CMJ set but as I was coming in, the band was on their last song. CMJ Day Two is all about Freshkills and Motel Motel.