Last week, we decided to have an issue release party smack dab in the middle of CMJ insanity, adding to the whirlwind our beleaguered iCals promised. It felt like the right thing to do, as friends from far and wide across the boroughs and beyond came through to celebrate the birth of our Bon Iver/Dam-Funk issue with a little Budweiser and Budweiser American Ale. Everyone was treated to the excellent selections of the Cool Places Soundsystem, whose laissez-faire DJing made no bones about playing soca, bhangra and folk jams in quick succession. As they dropped Aly-Us' "Follow Me" to our pleasure, Los Angeles dreamers/F64 Gen F stars Warpaint set up their equipment, and then proceeded to completely shred through jams like "Elephants" and "Beetles." The crowd watched rapt, entranced by their lovely whorls. The party ended early, and everyone scattered into the night, off to see 452 more bands in three hours. See more pics from the scene after the jump.
