Loco Star in concert, source: Myspace/locostar
The annual CMJ festival was launched thirty years ago by the College Media Journal - a student magazine which eventually grew to become a beacon for the entire music industry of the U.S., aimed at promoting young talent from the U.S. and the world. Past performers include Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, Antony & The Johnsons and Crystal Castles. For the first time Poland is represented at the event, with indie pop princess Monika Brodka and rock band Loco Star debuting their signature style at this year's edition as part of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute's Don't Panic We're from Poland showcase.
Known for her unique brand of "folk power with punk energy", Monika Brodka is one of the most acclaimed young Polish recording artists, brandishing success on all fronts - gold records, critical praise and industry awards. The key to her success is her fresh, experimental approach that pushes the envelope on commercial pop without alienating the masses. Her style has made her a fashion icon cited by all the major magazines.She started out as a typical 'Idol' winner, bringing out a fun debut album. Her style has matured over the years, with braver beats woven between folk-inspired and rock vocals. Her third album Granda scored Brodka eight nominations - and three wins - at the 2011 Fryderyki Awards, Poland's answer to the Grammy's. Brodka won recognition at the European Music Awards in 2011. She has played concerts in London and most recently recorded a mini-album entitled Lax in Red Bull Studios London.
Loco Star is considered as a type of "alternative supergroup" which draws upon a blend of influences, including neo-jazz, rock and electronic music, from the likes of Pink Freud, Silver Rockets Homosapiens, Sister Hazel and a dash of club-friendly Novika to create an alternative electro pop sound led by trumpeter Tomasz Ziętek. The band is promoting their latest album - their first release in four years - entitled Shelter, with Artifiction the first single off the album.
Concerts take place on the second day of the festival (17 October) at the Lower East Side club Fat Baby (112 Rivington St). The CMJ Music Marathon takes place over five days (16th-20th October), presenting a showcase of over 1,300 performances throughout 80 venues in the city to a public of over 120,000 fans, music industry professionals, college radio tastemakers, bloggers, press, and musicians.
Don't Panic We're from Poland is an ongoing international programme of concerts by rising stars of the contemporary Polish music scene produced by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.
Don't Panic We're from Poland Programme:
Wednesday, 17th of October 2012
7:00 p.m. Loco Star
8:00 p.m. Brodka
For more about Monica beard and Loco Star, see: www.monikabrodka.com and www.locostar.pl
For more on the festival, see: www.cmj.com
Editor: Agnieszka Le Nart
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute, CMJ