Current Deli Artist of the Month Miniboone has just released this fun video of their single Cool Kids Cut Out of the Heart Itself – which perfectly channels the post punk energy of the Brooklyn band. Miniboone is one of the many awesome local bands that will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in mid May (see blog entry underneath in thsi same page). Don’t miss their live show at Cake Shop on April 6.

Ah, the reverie of spring. In lieu of fields to loll about in go get cozy for free with Alexa Wilkinson (in the picture), Julie Peel, and Mercy Bell (in the picture) at The Living Room, Thursday, April 1, from 8pm-11pm. Julie Peel unleashed her debut full-length album on American Laundromat Records (ALR) September 22nd 2008, and has been enjoying rave reviews and charting at college & specialty radio ever since. Previously featured on ALR compilations, this is Julie’s first solo full-length release. She counts Aimee Mann, Kim Deal, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell among her influences, and their impact is not hard to discern on Near the Sun. Julie’s lo-fi, guitar-driven pop recalls the likes of Ida, Anna Ternheim, Caithlin de Marrais, and Mirah, but bears her own distinctive indie sensibility and style. Alexa Wilkinson plays a unique blend of music a unique of blend of music with jazz, rock and folk influences. She has toured and shared the stage with Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Kelley, Natasha Beddingfield, Mieka Pauly, Bess Rogers, Joshua Radin, Vanessa Carlton, Dar Williams, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, and many more. She has had various songs from her both albums featured on MTV’s "The Hills", CBS’s "NCIS: NY" & "Make It or Break It", and many others. Mercy Bell has been playing her crunchy folk-pop around New York for almost two years and is working on her first album. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Today we start some sort of "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list here (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record sotre personnel and DJs). Many of the bands in this list will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in Williamsbur on May (6 shows in 3 different venues between the 13 and the 15).

Callers earned the accolade of The Deli’s CD of the month back in December of 2008 with its spellbinding “Fortune.” In a brief yet memorable 30-some minutes, vocalist Sara Lucas and guitarist Ryan Seaton guide listeners through an intimate, contemplative journey conveyed by blues, jazz and folk tones. The arrangements are sparse but they only make the songs more evocative and highlight the strength of Lucas and Seaton’s potent, volatile voices with their respective instruments. It’s difficult to pull away from the songs without being affected; Callers crafts moods that reach beyond its songs and proactively engrosses its listeners.

Brooklyn’s Quiet Lights is A new project from ex-members of Gods&Queens/Argentine/Desert Fathers. Inspired by small batch bourbon, conspiracy theories, dream-pop, haruki murakami, zombie massacre preparedness, pulled-pork bbq, raw milk, the smell of dew on fresh mowed grass, boutique guitar pedals, over-analyzing, cupcakes, rush-hour subway rage, reverb. Check out Quiet Truth, Weapons Thrown one of 3 tracks on our pre-release with a proper album being recorded soon. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).