Now in its 31st year, New York's annual CMJ festival is an opportunity for industry types and musicians from all over the globe to perform, peruse and participate in a week of musical frivolity.
This year's New Zealand showcase (generally regarded as one of the week's highlights) was kicked off by Lil' Chief Records' Princess Chelsea, and her well-crafted pop songs had the room swaying along.
Rapturous applause followed, and then Andrew Keoghan took the stage with Lawrence Arabia drummer Dan Ward for their first show of the CMJ conference.
At times reminiscent of Scott Walker's unique vocal styling, Keoghan's voice is stunning. Armed with a violin, a guitar and an array of pedals used to great effect, his songs build and swell, demanding the listener's attention.
Pikachunes received the best reception of the evening with one audience member noting, "I want to dance and hug him all at once!" His upbeat synth-driven dance music had hands in the air as he proclaimed, "Let's bring the house down!"
