NZ in NYC: CMJ Music Marathon blog

The Family Cactus play in New York. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi bands descend upon New York today for the 30th annual CMJ music marathon.

While most of the bands are only just arriving, Wellington band Family Cactus have been in New York for a fortnight already, getting the feel of the city and gaining attention for their single Come Howling, which features on the new US Yellow Pages commercial.

On Saturday night, they played an impromptu gig in the back garden of LPCoverLover owner Matthew Glass (who owns an event management company with NZ music admirer Jennifer Granozio).

Photos here.

Liam Finn's sidekick EJ Barnes also played a short set with her Aussie bandmate Ceci Herbert, and Daniel Ward from Lawrence Arabia on drums. (EJ has been mixing Lawrence Arabia during their recent support of Crowded House's USA tour).

Between gigs, Family Cactus band members have been making use of their musical skills. On Friday night, drummer Reece McNaughten went busking at midnight in Union Square, and found himself holding the beat for a four-hour rap battle between 15 freestylers in the pouring rain.

Family Cactus have also lined up a support slot with Austin, Texas band Oh No Oh My at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn next week (October 27th), and their CMJ showcase with label-mates Street Chant is this coming Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Kids of 88 got a nod in the New York Times' CMJ preview.

A tongue-in-cheek guide to the CMJ music marathon, the New York Times piece name-checked Kids of 88 as one of just three bands recommended from 'exotic' countries.

The NZ CMJ showcase takes place on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ time) at Le Poisson Rouge, the same venue that held the Chris Knox benefit last May, which raised more than US$50,000 for the Grey Lynn punk legend.