User’s Guide to CMJ 2012

In lieu of a must-see show lineup this week, here’s a crazy long list of acts in town for the CMJ festival, ready to wow our mittens off of our pretty little paws.

Some of these are familiar names for folkers, but I’m sure there are a handful of newbies, as well. You’d get to see a lot of great acts just by hanging around Rockwood Music Hall, but some of the best bang-for-your-buck shows will be Thursday’s Texas Takeover Party (check out Wild Child, a duo out of Austin) where a bunch of names will be playing, including Robert Ellis. That same night, Union Hall’s hosting Joy Kills Sorrow and Admiral Fallow underground. Divide your time wisely.

Some other off-the-radar picks include Minneapolis’ Communist Daughter, who’ll play Cake Shop on Wednesday, and Shivering Timbers – a sensitively rocking husband/wife duo who take on the intimate Pete’s Candy Store on Friday.

Here’s a full(er) list of recommendations:

Tuesday, October 16:
6:00 p.m. — Tall Heights at Rockwood Music Hall
8:00 p.m. — Darlingside at Rockwood Music Hall
8:00 p.m. — The Infamous Stringdusters at Brooklyn Bowl
8:30 p.m. — Shakey Graves / Plume Giant / Town Hall / Swear and Shake at The Delancey

Wednesday, October 17:
Starting at 1:00 p.m. — Last.fm Showcase, with Friend Roulette / Christopher Paul Stelling / The Lone Bellow (formerly Zach Williams and the Bellow)
7:00 p.m. — John Fullbright at Rockwood Music Hall
7:15 p.m. — Jonatha Brooke at Rockwood Music Hall
8:15 p.m. — Communist Daughter at Cake Shop
11:45 p.m. — Pillow Talk at Lit Lounge

Thursday, October 18
8:00 p.m. — CMJ Texas Takeover Party, With Robert Ellis, The TonTons, Wild Child, Shakey Graves at Rebel NYC
10:30 p.m. — Mount Moriah at Mercury Lounge (Currently sold out)
10:00 p.m. — Admiral Fallow / Joy Kills Sorrow at Union Hall

Friday, October 19
7:00 p.m. — Matthew and the Atlas at Rockwood Music Hall
9:00 p.m. — Tall Tall Trees at Rockwood Music Hall
10:00 p.m. — Shivering Timbers at Pete’s Candy Store
12:00 a.m. — Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Rockwood Music Hall

Saturday, October 20
3:30 p.m. — Yellow Red Sparks at Fontana’s
4:00 p.m. — Aunt Martha at Rockwood Music Hall
8:00 p.m. — Fences at Rockwood Music Hall
9:30 p.m. — The Lone Bellow at Rockwood Music Hall