We’re taking a look at the CMJ Music Marathon, the nation’s second-largest indie music festival. Little-known acts like The Arcade Fire, The Killers, and Mumford & Sons have emerged from the festival way, way bigger than when they arrived. We asked some of this year’s most promising, face-meltingly good CMJ artists to share what they’re listening to right now and what we should be too. This week we’re looking at the ultra raunchy comedy duo, Reformed Whores.
Reformed Whores are a country comedy duo, and they are goddamn delightful. Marie Cecile Anderson and Katy Frame smile and charm like the sweet Southern belles they are, and sing raunchy Dolly Parton-esque ditties about birth control and drunk dialing like the skilled New York City comedians they also are. It’s hard to tell which is more impressive, their harmonies or their wit.
Reformed Whores Picks:
The Secret Sisters — The Secret Sisters
We’re head over heels for these girls from Alabama! Their harmonies will stop you dead in your tracks. Recorded in Nashville and executive-produced by T-Bone Burnett, this album celebrates the classic country music that got us writing in the first place.
Listen to: “Tennessee Me”
Debt’ll Get Em — The Defibulators
We’re kind of obsessed right now with this bad-ass country band in Brooklyn. In our opinion, they nail that nouveau back porch country vibe. If you haven’t heard of them take a listen!
Listen to: “Cackalacky!”
Sailing the Seas of Cheese — Primus
We’ve been touring with Primus frontman Les Claypool and his Duo de Twang for over a year now. We must have heard this song live over 50 times by now and we’ve gotta say his influence has most definitely crept into our writing style. A bunch of our songs on our next album are edgier musically and lyrically due in no small part to our touring with Les.
Listen to: “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”
Words and Music — Roger Miller
More people need to know about Roger Miller. His off beat songs and soulful performances speak to us. His music is the perfect mix of wacky and charming!
Listen to: “My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died”
Beyoncé — Beyoncé
Love her or hate her she is a performer with a capital P and we LOVE it! This song is our anthem right now. Beyoncé is our go-to when we’re driving 300 miles across country to our next gig. One thing’s for sure, singing along to her at 2 a.m. will definitely keep us awake.
Listen to: “Grown Woman”
Now have a laugh with the Reformed Whores: