As I listen to Chicago/NYC based Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, I can picture Mr Furman’s childhood as aspiring indie rocker, the colorful sounds of early Beatles and the nasal voice of Bob Dylan on a portable record player filling his bedroom. You can hear these influences in the band’s best songs such as “Take Off Your Sunglasses” with its harmonica reminiscent of “Love Me Do" or "From Me to You," and the expressive, pressing vocals, telling everyday stories with a two notes melody. Ezra’s charming naivete is evidenced most as he squeals lyrics such as “I dove into your heart like a pool…” (it goes on to rhyme with “fool”) in “The Stakes Are High.” As their music evolves, this band needs to raise the stakes, listen to early John Darnielle and focus their energy on what they do best–rollicking pop tunes. Ezra Furman and the Harpoons next show will be in Chicago at Belmont Harbor on September 3. – Whitney Phaneuf

We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list for emerging artists (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel, DJs, and our writers and readers).

A decade ago, Jon Philpot could have made any kind of record of he wanted. He started Bear in Heaven as a solo project back in Atlanta, and although he and Wills were friendly, the two never thought they’d wind up playing together. After moving to Brooklyn, Philpot continued doing the one-man bedroom-pop thing, recording songs piece by piece on his computer. Eventually, he started jamming with Adam and two other friends, and the four found themselves writing new material, rather than trying to recreate Philpot’s solo recordings. After a well received first record, the band gained a "Best New Music" tag from Pitchfork Media, which opened the doors to world touring and public recognition. Here’s an interview with Jon about Recording and Audio Equipment.

Born in an Oberlin, Ohio basement, The Roulettes practiced on borrowed equipment next to a leaky washer/dryer combo and grew up playing living room parties. After moving to Portland, the Roulettes met up with label Lucky Madison to record the first ever LM release, their self-titled EP, at Portland’s Jackpot! Studios with engineer Larry Crane (Sleater-Kinney, Stephen Malkmus, etc.). Later, unreleased Roulettes tracks saw them moving into darker territory with songs like "2:1," "Do it Again," and “Snow Day 2004/Moon Over Miami” (their meditation on volcanoes, false promises, and WMDs). But the band continued to pay tribute to nights at Chopsticks karaoke bar, the Fred Meyer Can-Do Machine, and the ever-popular montecristo sandwich. Long ago and far away, the Roulettes graced the cover of the Willamette Week and played all over their beloved Portland, from Ash Street to Slabtown to the original Rock’n’ Roll Camp for Girls. In New York, they played at the long gone Meow Mix. The Roulettes are back in NYC, where they played at CMJ in 2009 and at venues such as Cakeshop, Santos Party House, Union Pool (w/Class Actress and Rebecca Schiffman), Bruar Falls, and Bowery Electric. The band is currently writing new songs and working on pre-promotion for their "Hot Ticket" video. Look for video spots in a couple months with writers like Rob Sheffield (of Love is a Mix Tape), bands like Duty Free, a stray ship’s captain, and… you? See them live at Surreal Estate on September 3.