CMJ Day 4
By Erik Myers and Trent Wahlfeldt
Erik could only ignore his cell phone alarm for so long. He hadn’t gotten much sleep at that point, so it could excuse the fact that he slept in past 10. But sleeping past 11 was out of the question – Erik would miss his mentoring session.
We might be having a good time out here, but be irresponsible? No. Never ever. We’re better than that. Trent did need a little beauty rest though, and no one would want him to go without that.
Erik was able to reach NYU’s Kimmel Center just in time for his meeting with Jessica Weber, the vice president of SPECTRE’s radio promotion and licensing department. Erik’s been pretty worried about his approaching post-college life but Jessica soothed some fears.
She told him about her life straight out of college, working in radio promotion while simultaneously working eight or so jobs for media groups and websites. Erik enjoys the feeling of having a million things to do in a small frame of time, so it seems like this could be a worthwhile career path. Jessica said it was important to be conversational and outgoing, something few music directors seem capable of (with the exception of Trent and Erik, of course.) Jessica also advised to keep in touch with your contacts and keep them informed about one’s upcoming unemployment. It was a good session, and Erik’s eager to get rolling on the future. This has been stuck in his head ever since.
Trent wanted to check out some New York City sights, so we moseyed over to Times Square to gape at all the lights and eat some pizza. From there, it was on to the EMI offices (again!), but this time, we were getting a behind-the-scenes look at a record label.
Our good friend Erin showed us around, introduced us to the charismatic characters she works with: her fellow promoters, publicity people and a project manager to name a few. For working such stressful positions, people were awfully nice. We also met Justin with Mute, who was cool enough to hand us a copy of A Place To Bury Strangers’ new album, Exploding Head, which hadn’t come in to the station yet. KCSU’s programming director Dylan Wray will finally be able to get his “gaze” on – thanks Justin!
Erin bestowed upon us some awesome schwag (Radiohead reissues and the vinyl edition of Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique) and then we all made a mad dash for an AAM Listening Party. EMI was cool, and Trent and Erik have decided, barring they get sucked under a subway, to apply for summer internships there.
The AAM Listening Party was fun, nothing better than a good listening party. As the stereo rolled the new Beach House and Free Energy, we chatted with a bevy of cool kids: Sacha from Sub Pop, Autumn from Impact89fm at the University of Michigan State, C.J. from WVKR at Vassar University and a gaggle of cool kids from WMRA at James Madison University. Supposedly the super-new Animal Collective EP was to be played, but we didn’t stick around to take a listen – it was time to hit the Lit Lounge for Team Clermont’s rocking showcase.
Former KCSUer and now-Team Clermont promoter Steve Hendrickson had been rocking all night long at the showcase, which featured the twitter-and-bang alternative British bluegrass of Peggy Sue and the suave South American charm of Helado Negro (Erik’s new favorite band), and finally, Bear In Heaven, a four-piece that has a strange mix of melodies that tend toward the downcast. Not that we mind; in fact, it perfectly suited the evening, since it was pouring rain outside.
Only one day to go. While Trent and I are excited to get in as much music and hobnobbing as humanly possible, we are feeling the burn. Here’s to keeping on.
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