If exposure is the reason that the College Music Journalism Marathon takes over every single venue in the city each October, then there's no reason to see bands you already know are good. Bands like Cold Cave, The Atlas Sound, Deer Tick, or Ted Leo + The Pharmacists have gotten enough attention so far. Instead, here's a list of shows that basically explain why CMJ was invented.

1. Duchess Says (Montreal) - Singer Annie-Claude Deschênes wears a hockey goalie mask while performing, barking like Stasi commander above a din of guitar shreds and deep synth. Perversely anthemic, in the way Joy Division is. Thursday, October 22, Santos' Party House, 12am.

Not outshone by his blinding-bright icon of a co-star, Alessandro Nivola's diverting attention as Chanel's smart, mustachioed, polo-player paramour in Coco Before Chanel. In person, and minus the mustache, Nivola's just as charming, but happily married, unfortunately for fans. Easy-going and well-spoken, this Brooklyn resident opened up about his biggest role yet. More importantly, on faking his way through an English degree, on getting confused for Freddy Mercury, and finally, on how he prepares himself to play someone who's very, very hungover.