So here we are.  Late October.  The air chills, the baseball season winds down, and my thoughts turn to apple cider, candy corn, turkeys, and pumpkins.  Visions of pilgrims dance in my head.

But in New York City, my imaginary bonnet-wearing pals don’t dance by their lonesome–they’re joined in the autumnal jig by a cadre of all-too-real major-label-salaryman types.  People who are really into Passion Pit, Radiohead side projects, and hitting refresh on brooklynvegan.  These ghouls are in town for CMJ.

On the off chance you don’t know what CMJ is, it’s New York’s answer to South By Southwest and other assorted industry schmoozefests.  More specifically, it’s the annual conference of the College Music Journal, which is essentially a college radio, indie-centric Billboard.  Technically the conference centers around a bunch of daytime panels, and there’s also a film component, but the real point for locals and even most badgeholders is to cram in a full schedule of shows while so many bands are in town.  Some shows are sponsored by labels, some are sponsored by blogs, some are sponsored by magazines, some are sponsored by brewers/distillers, and some are sponsored by venues.  We here at guten Morgan don’t sponsor anything–maybe next year.

The ”Music Marathon” can be lots of fun if you prioritize with care.  Realistically, getting in to see Pissed Jeans at Mercury Lounge will be a mess.  But who cares–they play here all the time.  The chance to see bands who are still relatively unknown, geographically distant, or primarily studio projects is what makes CMJ worthwhile.  I can’t think of any artists I’m desperate to see this year–last year I really wanted to catch Women, Ninjasonik, Crystal Antlers, Best Fwends, and Pains of Being Pure at Heart–but I’ve posted a few shows I’m keen on below.  Please discuss, suggest, and argue about alternatives in the comments section.  Out of laziness, I am posting my picks for Friday and Saturday only.

Friday:  Early-ish, I like the Polyvinyl showcase at Bell House.  Of Montreal’s label should deliver a catchy, poppy good time.  I’m most excited to see Cale Parks and James Husband (10pm and 11pm set times respectively).   Later, I’m going to the Vice Magazine party at Public Assembly for The Dutchess and The Duke, who I’ve wanted to see for ages but never quite made happen.  The issue with this itinerary, I realize, is that it requires a journey from Park Slope to Williamsburg over the course of a single evening.  But the G train came through for me yesterday and daddy’s feeling lucky tomorrow.

Saturday:  Daytime, Underwater Peoples Records is having an all-ages showcase at Cameo.  This isn’t the most all-star lineup from their roster (sadly, that was assembled for a festival over the summer and, to a lesser extent, Friday’s showcase at The Delancey) but with appearances from Frat Dad, Fluffy Lumbers, and Air Waves (among many others), as well as a hard end time of 7pm to prevent set time creep, this will be a good overview of the “summertime sound” that’s characterized 2009 so far.  Later, I recommend that everyone head over to the Rainbow Quartz showcase at Arlene’s Grocery.  Capstan Shafts, Broadfield Marchers, and other perfect, jangly pop bands.  Realistically, the dude in Capstan Shafts will probably only play about a dozen times in New York before retiring so see him while you have the chance.

Your turn!