Cougar Microbes returned to CMJ this year for another mind blowing five days of musical extravaganza. We braved the cold but otherwise perfect weather through the streets of New York to catch the shows of some of music’s rising stars from around the world.
ALEX WINSTON
Born in Michigan but now living in New York, Alex Winston is nothing short of a vocal spectacle. We headed over to Webster Hall to check out kick off CMJ 2015 with her 8:45 show. Trained as an opera singer, her vocal range is immaculate. Reminiscent of Amy Winehouse mixed with Paramore‘s Haley Williams and Lana Del Rey. A brilliant spin, she provided us with gentle smoothing notes mixed with a rock electropop undertone. The show completely blew us and the crowd away. Attending her show was actually a suggestion by a close friend of ours and a hardcore fan of hers, but after this performance we can say we’re fans of hers as well.
FEMME
Femme is a British singer and songwriter whose dance pop sound will keep you on your feet throughout her entire performance. We caught her at Webster Hall following Alex Winston. Talented and bubbly, Femme’s voice burst out of her as she commanded the crowd in a black sequin romper like a melodically better Miley Cyrus. Organic drum beats mixed with a deep electronic groove has us saying s.o.s ( literally, as that is the title of one of her hit tracks, make sure to check it out). Bold yet distorted, Femme was a crowd pleaser with amazing potential.
FRENCH HORN REBELLION
Deciding to remain at Marlin Room for the night, Femme was followed up by French Horn Rebellion. Two talented brothers hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For coming from such a cold place, their show was nothing short of fire. Bringing an electric spin to some oldies, they had us dancing into the night. These guys threw us back into another decade and left our heads spinning. Shout out to them supporting their fellow artists ad bringing in an assortment of acts to support vocals.
Mansions on the Moon
We topped our first night of CMJ 2015 off with Mansions on the Moon. This incredible group draws influence from all music genera and them spit them out with an electric synth flair. Bringing in several keyboards they really build up the crowd with their organic sound that left us with a feeling of longing to go home to some loved one we didn’t even know we had. One of their numbers, ‘Leaves Fall‘, summarized exactly how we feel when autumn comes and we know it’s time for CMJ. “I’ll think of you when the leaves fall, ill remember what is it I lack.” We are no longer lacking the sounds of fresh new music in our ears!
—–
Post by Valya
—–
TRACKS:
