CMJ is, as I often say, nothing but 50% more bands and 100% more people. New York has an oversupply of live music in an average week, but for four days once a year hundreds of bands descend upon the city's clubs and transform that oversupply into a glut. They'll play a showcase or two or three in hopes of being one of the very few to come out of the event with that magical, almost indescribable attachment to their careers: The CMJ Buzz.

CMJ isn't necessarily about who's good, it's about who's hot. Who will be create this year's buzz? Coolfer has a few thoughts on some of this year's contenders for The CMJ Buzz, and almost all of them happen to be both hot and good.

One artist who's coming into CMJ with a truckload of momentum is Lady Sovereign, the UK grime sensation. She's been in the news recently here in the States. Pitchfork picked up on the story about Jay-Z wanting to sign her to Def Jam in the U.S. Her debut New York show was tainted by food poisoning but the weakened rapper still thrilled the capacity crowd at the Knitting Factory. This time Lady Sov will be in the middle of a bill at the dreaded Webster Hall. Chances are good she'll be the main draw of the evening.

Neo-hippie Devendra Banhart (pictured) has a new album coming next month and it easily lives up to the mythical aura that surrounds this San Francisco singer-songwriter. He's been through New York a number of times and has been an underground favorite for some time. Why might he capture some CMJ buzz? Cripple Crow, his new album, is sure to be considered by many as among the best of the year (Pitchfork gave it a 8.4 yesterday) and it looks like all the previous press, word of mouth and new record label (XL) could combine to send him into a higher orbit over Planet Music Hipster.

Voxtrot has been to town but has been getting a bit of blogger buzz and may be able to grab some curious listeners this week. Tom Vek could make a good showing. Spinto Band is another that is on the tip of a lot of tongues, so watch out for them. One last one: Smoosh. It's fun to say and these two young girls make fun music, and they just might rise above the din this week.