CMJ Day 2: The Heartbreak

Sure, you got to see the Knife. And Steve Earle and Cold War Kids. But we got to see Laura Minor.

The pleasure was all ours at Mo Pitkin's to catch this Georgia-native singer/songwriter. With elements of country, electronica, blues, soul and kick-ass, Minor's buttery voice, packed with range and character, stole the show. Fans of Neko Case, Shivaree and Uncle Tupelo would find much satisfaction in keeping an eye on this talented lady, who has lyrics to break hearts.

After, super-geek Hartley Goldstein, who we feared might be a Dan Bern or Mountain Goats knock-off, had us rolling with his brand of anti-folk, clever-scenester humor. His lyrics honest and contemporary, he was endearingly self-conscious/deprecating/referential. Stellar guy.

We tailed it to NorthSix downstairs for an old college buddy in Mittens On Strings, but missed about 95% of it. Tried to bear Numbers upstairs, but couldn't garner the strength or enthusiasm. The Battle of the CMJ Badge flared up back at the entry to downstairs. NO MORE BADGES? AT? NORTH? SIX? DOWNSTAIRS? A sad and silly sight indeed.