Not much to write about before the holidays, so we’ll indulge in a band that’s definitely neither "indie" (they are signed to Warner) nor emerging (at least according to our standards), but extremely young and relatively new to the scene. NYC and Canada based The Indecent plays what could be called nu-grunge, but they do it without looking out of date or derivative. And they are so friggin’ young it’s almost scary. Check out below their new video for the single "Control." They’ll be playing Shea Stadium in Brooklyn on January 5 – it will be a packed show. If you are in NJ, they’ll be there at The Stanhope House on December 29.

Folk music has evolved over the past few years, particularly with the emergence of the indie scene, but it’s refreshing to find a band keeps to it’s roots. Seattle’s King Friday occasionally features a piano in their songs, but that’s as far as they stray in terms of instrumentation from their straightforward acoustic guitar fueled folk pop. Joe Bolton, Matthew Sweeney, and Alex Folkerth use this simplicity of sound to showcase their engaging lyrics, vocal dynamics, and harmonization. Their three albums, including their latest “Let Him at Cake (Songs for Birds)” are available for download here.-Lucy Sherman

Channeling classic rock and Americana, New Jersey based trio The Micks released their self-titled debut EP in November. The band began playing in Jersey City in 2010 with McMickle brothers Matt, on guitar, and Sam, on drums, and were later rounded out by bass player Hank Prol. Optimistic and hopeful, The Micks’ youthful energy brings a new spark to a genre that too often lacks in the inspiration department. The album was recorded entirely on analog, which fits the band’s homage to the early days of rock. – Devon Antonetti

Industries of the Blinds impressed us at our recent "post-chestral" CMJ show, where they performed their post-rock/ambient tunes with the intensity and instrumental precision required by the sober and atmospheric material. The band has been working on a multi-media show involving projections which will be unveiled with a show at The Knitting Factory on 12.21. 

The event will unfold in two acts; Act One will feature Industries of the Blind performing their original music (think Explosions in the Sky, SIgur Ros, Godspeed!). During Act Two, four short films will be screened while the band simultaneously performs their scores in real-time as they unfold, creating an intimate, immediate bridge between music and film.

With Lake Street Dive, you’re not left with the impression you’re hearing recordings at all. In fact, most of this group’s songs were indeed recorded in live situation. From hanging a couple of mics up at a party (‘You Go Down Smooth’), to the off-the-cuff feel of ‘Henriette,’ these are tracks that exude a feel like the band’s re-creating their songs at the moment they’re playing them.

And with a voice like singer Rachael Price’s, it’s no wonder they have no need for studio trickery to produce their blend of gospel yelps and old school Muscle Shoals soul. Their sound is built from the inside out, from the chug of the upright bass to the trumpet blasts – this is a band meant to be experienced live. So see them when they play Bowery Ballroom on Dec 27th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC artists with rootsy influences here.

Fronted by the glitteringly motivated force that is Heather Sparx, Bushwick based band Sparxx in 2012 released 4 Bandcamp singles of exquisitely crafted, uptempo dream-synth-pop. The band will be shooting a video for their new song "Mod" (streaming below), and if you want to be in it you can show up at The Lab at 224 Wyckoff Avenue on 12.20, the show will be taped. The song undulates with synth washes and a straight foward drum pattern before the guitars slowly emerge. Heather’s voice and lyrics create a seductive combination that at times hearkens back to Lene Lovich and "Lucky Number" on the verses. It’s all reverberated guitar chords and cathedral hall voices on the chorus however, placing the sound closer to prime era Siouxsie Sioux – the fact that Heather’s appearances stradles the line somewhere between Siouxsie and Madonna only adds to the appeal. Also performing will be NYC emerging bands Hippy, Slonk Donkerson and Haybaby. – Dave Cromwell