Like a laser-light show, watching Port St. Willow live last Saturday at The Knit was an audio/visual spectacle. The band created true post-rock performance art — a sleek production equally suited to a large theater.
Port St. Willow is often compared to The Antlers, similarities born of the long collaboration between Principe and Antlers’ frontman Peter Silberman (who was at the show). But the sound felt more like Mogwai’s instrumentals, Bon Iver and slowcore Smoky Robinson. With rock drums and prominent audio/visual effects, Principe added energy to the introspective, ambient jam sessions on "Holiday," Port St. Willow’s first full-length, reissued this month.
His expressions and Siren-like falsetto translated the melancholic mood of the hard-to-hear lyrics. Live trombone doubled as sax and experimental noise manipulated via pedals. The trombonist also played small percussion with shells, clackers and castanets. Every stop-start break was perfectly timed, the band watching each other in anticipation.

Colored light and star projections often camouflaged the band. Principe asked the audience if they liked the visuals he called, “a Northern Lights thing.”
Port St. Willow played about an hour, without monster 25-minute bonus track, “Soft Light Rush.” The loud final crescendo was the definitive peak that said, “No encore necessary.” – Bianca Seidman

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

For anyone missing the endless summer, Basinger (previously known as Makeout Room) is here to bring the beach. Just try and not get lost in the skyscraper crooning of tracks ‘Rehobeth’ or ‘Going to California.’ The Brooklyn quartet describes their music as ethereal sounds, and are set to release their debut EP later this year. Hoping the good weather keeps up until then. – Mike Levine

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Carving out the sounds of almost any instrument or style from her powerful voice, Xenia Rubinos (who made it in our list of Best emerging NYC artists in the last two editions) takes on the world with her take on soca, punk, soul and even beaty dubstep. From the heaviness of ‘Hair Receding’ (streaming) to the expansive flight of ‘Cherry Tree,’ EP ‘Magic Trix’ will keep you guessing at how large her imagination is. See her live at Cameo Gallery May 3rd. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Vinnie Caruana, the Long Island native frontman of now defunct The Movielife, has been involved in another band called I Am The Avalanche for some time now. Although not as well-known, they have the potential to do even better than Caruana’s former project. Now based in NYC, their latest album ‘Avalanche United’ stormed the local punk/emo scene with energetic and catchy tunes. Known for having an electrifying live show, the quintet recently announced that they are demoing songs for their next album, which – according to the band’s Twitter feed – is “going to be insane." A due date has yet to be announced, we are looking forward to checking it out. Hear the single "Brooklyn Dodgers" from ‘Avalanche United’ streaming below. – Michael Haskoor

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging Alt Rock NYC artists – check it out!

The band will be releasing its second EP Let’s Get Cynical on Friday, April 26 at the Replay Lounge with Muscle Worship and Many Moods of Dad. Read our interview with them at the link here!

–Danny R. Phillips