CMJ 2012 Begins Tuesday: Listen to the Bands; Get Suggestions of What to See

The CMJ Music Marathon starts Tuesday, Oct. 16th, giving music fans a wealth of gigs (and impossible choices in trying to choose between them). And many of the showcases are free or cheap. If you have specific bands in mind you want to see or are just feeling adventurous, you can dive headlong into the CMJ schedule.

If you'd prefer some guidance and suggestions on what to see, here's a roundup of suggestions from a variety of music sources, including ways to listen to songs by the artists. (List will be updated as more recommendations are found.)

* MySocialist.com has a day-by-day list of CMJ shows, including its own showcases and day parties. Also see their list of free shows

* If you've got Spotify, check out their playlist of what they see as the 100 artists that are performing at CMJ, including DIIV, Mountain Goats, Dum Dum Girls, Metz, Doldrums, and many more

* Brooklyn Vegan doesn't have a CMJ section per se, but you'll find plenty of coverage in its several-time-daily posts. BV is also sponsoring two free day parties on Friday and Saturday (which are not part of CMJ), the 19th and 20th, at Public Assembly in Brooklyn

* NPR Music is running a continuous stream of music by CMJ artists, recommended by staff at 11 different radio stations. They're also sponsoring a CMJ showcase on Wednesday night with Flying Lotus, Death Grips, and Buke & Gase, which you can watch live online. WFUV will host a show with Savoir Adoir, Indians, Little Green Cars, and Wax Poetic on Tuesday at 7 p.m.; the station will broadcast it live on air at 90.7 FM

* The New York Times suggests "Six Hopefuls Worth Watching," including the all-female British band Savages, the punk trio Merchandise, and the 21-year-old rapper Angel Haze

* New York Magazine's CMJ guide includes recommendations such as Angel Haze, Little Green Cars, and Pissed Jeans

UPDATES, Oct. 16th:
* Pitchfork's day-by-day recommendations for CMJ 2012

* David Greenwald (Rawkblog) has an article in Billboard on 10 acts to watch at CMJ; among them: Ghostface Killah, Sky Ferreira, and Kimbra

Two showcases I'm planning on checking out: Slimstyle Records on Wednesday with Local H,  The Hounds Below, and The Life and Times (at Union Square Ballroom, 27 Union Square West), and Kiam Records/Comedy Minus One on Friday (Left Field, 87 Ludlow St.).

The latter includes Tim Foljahn, Ma'am, the Karl Hendricks Trio, and Rebecca Gates (formerly of The Spinanes), and headlined the excellent singer-songwriter Jennifer O'Connor, who also happens to be the head of Kiam. (I did a brief mention of O'Connor and Foljahn when I saw them earlier this year.)

What are you checking out at CMJ this year? Who are your must-see acts? Leave your comments below and let us know!