CMJ 2010’s best of A through Z

This year's College Music Journal Music Marathon, more commonly referred to as CMJ, has brought a lot of underground artists to the surface and into the college scene. The festival took place Oct.19 to 23 in New York City where artists from all over the world performed at various locations, hoping to jumpstart their popularity. Bands such as MGMT, Deerhunter and Vampire Weekend are all examples of artists who capitalized off their performances at past CMJ Marathons. This year, nearly 4,000 artists submitted their creations in attempt to earn a precious set at the event. Only 1,200 artists made the cut, and with performers from nearly every genre, you are bound to find a hot new artist to enjoy.

Autodrone – Experimental/Psychedelic

Bazaar Royale – Hip Hop/Rock/Metal

Chris Cubeta and The Liars Club – Rock/Acoustic/Indie

DJ Chaci – House/Electronic

Emily Greene – Indie/Pop/Soul

Foreign Exchange – Hip Hop/Funk

Gringo Star – Big Bent/Psychedelic/Southern Rock

Hot Panda – Indie/Garage/Rock

Izabo – Rock/Alternative/Psychedelic

Julia Easterlin – Alternative/Electro-acoustic

Kisses – Ambient/Disco/Experimental

Liptease – Pop/Electronica

Million Young – Ambient/Electro/Surf

Northbound Traveling Minstrel Jug Band – Folk Rock/Roots Music/Blues

Oberhofer – Soul

Pocketknife – Electronica/Visual/Tango

Quintus – Visual/Lyrical/Western Swing

Rachael Sage – Pop/Folk Rock/Alternative

Sound of Arrows – Psychedelic/Ambient/Experimental

Turbo Fruits – Jungle/Surf/Rock

Unicycle Loves You – Indie/Jungle/Rock

Vonnegutt – Hip Hop/Alternative/Electronica

Wakey Wakey – Classical/Indie

Xylos – Pop

Young Adults – punk/rock

Zach Hurd – Pop/Acoustic/Experimental

Bazaar Royale – This quartet's music style is not easily labeled. Vocally influenced from hip-hop and soul, the music behind the vocals does not conform to typical beats that rap or soul songs have. "B" creates hard-felt bass riffs and is accompanied by Inger Hansen on the guitar and "T-Bone" on the drums. They all serve as the music-makers behind front man Bazaar Royale's vocals. Their musical energy begs for listeners to become engaged. They call their genre "Ghetto Metal." So, if nothing else, the uniqueness of this group makes them highly desirable for listeners to end their ears to.

Album to check out: The Ride

Gringo Star – Classified as southern beat psychedelic rock, Atlanta-based Gringo Star has brought much buzz to the music scene. Their punchy tracks provide large amounts of vigor to keep listeners enticed. With clever percussion beats and spunky guitar solos Peter Furgiuele, Nicholas Furgiuele, Pete DeLorenzo and Chris Kaufman aren't just guys behind a clever band name. Their quirky vocals and harmonies make it a shame to miss out on the music that these guys are producing.

Album to check out – All Ya'll

Hot Panda – Two girls and two boys make up this group's roster. The Canadian band named themselves after a Chinese food restaurant — but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take their abilities seriously. With fun, enthusiastic rhythms Hot Panda's music will undoubtedly make you dance. Chris Connelly, Heath Parsons, Maghan Campbell and Catherine Hiltz all contribute to making whimsical tunes that provide listeners with light-hearted entertainment. Accordion and keyboard parts in Hot Panda's songs create a distinct, enjoyable style.

Album to check out: Volcano … Bloody Volcano

Izabo – Consisting of Ran Shem-Tov as lead singer and guitarist, Shiri Hadar on keys, Jonathan Levy on bass and Nir Mantzur. With Arab-influenced guitar parts and funky, pounding bass riffs, the band's music is quite catchy. Shem-Tov's vocal work is also something that will not go overlooked. Fun lyrics and melodies accentuate his voice while his bandmates contrive intense, flavorful beats that instantly draw in listeners. Izabo's fan base is sure to grow after their ability of creating a carefree vibe is fully recognized.

Album to check out: Super Light

Julia Easterlin – This Georgia-grown singer/songwriter is incredible. She plays the guitar and piano, and her talent doesn't stop there — she's also a scientific loop-pedal genius. Julia creates her own background instrumentals to accompany her passionate vocals on stage. Her hand claps and loop harmonics brilliantly exemplify her musical creativity. Her songs are created solely by the means of her own abilities, with the assistance of loop-pedals of course. By covering songs from artists as vocally challenging as Bjork, this Berklee attendee convinces listeners to lend their ears to her talent.

Album to check out: Why Can't You Behave?

Liptease – This trio has members from all over the world: vocalist John Engle from San Diego, Michael Heyaca on the guitar from Paris, and drummer Tom Manning from Boston — all providing different aspects to their musical collaboration. Engle offers the group some pop-induced vocals, while Heyaca and Manning enhance his singing skills. Fellow Berklee alumnus and Paris native Heyaca brings a lot to the table with his French house music roots, writing a lot of the group's music as well as playing the guitar with much dexterity. Manning keeps the band's energy alive with his fiery R&B and soulful rhythms. As a whole, Liptease is a supernova of talent with music just waiting to get stuck in the heads of listeners.