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Um, isn’t it a school night?

Text/Photos by Andrew Parks

While it’s easy to accuse Justice of pandering to the lowest common lunkhead denominator (another bro-down set of serrated synth lines, climaxing in “We Are Your Friends” and “D.A.N.C.E.”? really?), such joyless cynicism—something we’ve been guilty of in the past, admittedly—completely misses the point.

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[Photo: Mike White/DeadlyDesigns.com]

By Aaron Richter

As we all know by now, new releases hit record-store shelves and digital-download services each Tuesday. That’s why self-titled presents the following every week: a new release you’d be stupid not to own (Buy It), one worth checking out if you’re the curious type (Burn It) and something you might have heard about but probably should avoid (Skip It). Simple, ain’t it? Read more

So our art director, Garrett Morin, shared this little tidbit about the magic of TV earlier today: When Gossip Girl introduces Serena’s new main squeeze tonight at 8—the ‘Brooklyn artist,’ Aaron Rose—you’ll be watching the carefully-sculpted handiwork of Garrett and Radio Silence co-author Nathan Nedorostek, who helmed Rose’s faux ‘process work’ project.

Anyway, be sure to scope that episode tonight, or buy it on iTunes to pseudo support the cause.

Jay Reatard drops his Flying V, recreates the cover of ‘Superfuzz Bigmuff’

Photos by Andrew Parks

All right, we gotta be honest here: Brooklyn, you nearly brought self-titled to tears on Saturday. While the weather outside looked like monsoon season as Glasslands opened its doors, you guys packed the place within a few hours. As a thank you, we encourage anyone who had a hell of a time with us to e-mail events@self-titledmag.com about who you’d like to see at s/t’s next party, as we plan on booking more cheap, intimate, no-bullshit shows in the coming months. More details to come soon. For now, the evidence …

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Best. Night. Ever.

It’s after 11 on Sunday evening, just 10 hours since The CMJ Virgin opened one eye at a time and hesitantly removed himself from beneath the covers of his bed. A little less than 24 hours since Jay Reatard rocked his face off at the self-titled/R5 CMJ bash. A solid day since Amazing Baby packed a full band plus backup singers onto a tiny Glasslands stage. And slightly longer since Crystal Antlers and Women brought him to tears. Throughout today, our Virgin has survived on a steady diet of peanut M&Ms and Hint of Lime tortilla chips as he remembers the ferocious beats served up by DJ Blaqstarr and the Mad Decent crew as the prior evening rolled to an end.  He wants to do absolutely nothing at all for at least a week (or three). He looks back on the week that was CMJ with fond memories (as well as some frustrating ones). In conclusion: The CMJ Virgin’s cherry has officially been popped. Rejoice!

Check out his photos from Saturday night after the jump. Read more

Please buy this man—Jay Reatard’s bassist, Stephen Pope—a beer tonight

Just five more hours until we open the doors at Glasslands tonight and bring you ridiculously intimate sets from the following people:

Women - 9:30

Crystal Antlers - 10:30

Amazing Baby - 11:30

Jay Reatard - 12:30

Limited advance tickets are still available at Ticketweb for just $12, but we’ll be closing that deal down in a couple hours. So be sure to head over there ASAP if you want guaranteed entry, as Glasslands only holds around 250 people.

If you’re not in the mood for raucous garage rock, one of Brooklyn’s most buzzed-about unsigned bands, and this crazy, Crystalline motherfucker, we’ve got you covered, too. Since self-titled would rather keep the party at Glasslands than move it in the middle of the night, we asked Diplo’s Mad Decent label to provide us with DJ sets at a FREE after-party between 1 and 4. Expect appearances from DJ Sega, Dirty South Joe and one of M.I.A.’s main producers at the moment, Blaqstarr.

E-mail events@self-titledmag.com if you have any questions!!

Part of the weekend never dies.

In all fairness, Ms. CMJ Virgin has gotten a shit deal this week. Typically, her concert-going relies upon +1 guest-list spots, which our dear ol’ Mr. Virgin is always happy to provide. But the admit-one-only CMJ badge (a useless tool if ever there was one) has nixed any prospects of the missus joining her man on for the week’s exploits. So Friday evening’s excursion to Pete Tong’s Insiders showcase–featuring Late of the Pier, James Lavelle and Soulwax–was planned, strategized, executed and +1-equipped with her in mind. Girls just wanna have fun, too, right?

Several weeks ago, Mr. CMJ Virgin proclaimed Late of the Pier “annoying” and “unlistenable” after delving through their debut. But he ate his words as the baby-faced four-piece tore through a unbelievably polished set of scatter-brained, impassioned dance-rock. Shame on whoever mixed their album. James Lavelle, however, failed to really connect with the audience–though Soulwax tore the roof off. The CMJ Virgin has never done cocaine, but he imagines it’s something like seeing Soulwax live. In conclusion: Pete Tong looks and sounds exactly like Ricky Gervais.

Read The CMJ Virgin’s notes from the evening and see a few photos he snapped after the jump. Read more

self-titled Managing Editor Arye Dworken is a damn handsome man. Last night he had his small-screen debut on MTV2’s Subterranean with an interview of Brooklyn duo Matt & Kim. Arye asked the tough questions and looked like a regular John Norris. (Too bad they spelled his name wrong…oopies!) However, we only have one question for you, Arye: Where did you get your shirt? 

Good decision-making can lead to excellent life opportunities (and sometimes free beer).

Last night, The CMJ Virgin had an important decision to make. And having been denied entry to several shows the night prior, he found himself conflicted about how to proceed for the evening. The options were plentiful: He considered catching The Muslims at Mercury Lounge. He contemplated trekking to the Music Hall of Williamsburg to see Mission of Burma and Jay Reatard. He thought about just walking down the street from his apartment to watch White Rainbow at Union Hall. He was tempted by the thought of catching Au, Fight Bite and Cause Co-Motion! at Pianos. He weighed heading back to the CMJ Artists Lounge (for the third day in a row!) for Oxford Collapse and The Broken West. And he even considered a complex cab-ride-catalyzed journey between no fewer than three of the night’s options. 

He pondered this decision long and hard (giggle). So much music. So little chance of actually getting in to see any of it. Would tonight be different? Would his CMJ badge actually grant him access to CMJ shows? He certainly hoped so. For his sake. And yours. Check out his solution to this dilemma after the jump. Read more