An iconic band of the Brooklyn DIY scene, Crystal Stilts (featured on one of our best covers back in 2009) just announced that they’ll be releasing a new album entitled ‘Nature Noir’ in September. Preview track "Future Folklore” (which can be heard here) is a succinct rock’n’roll gem that features some welcome new elements in the band’s sound: a snappy tempo that’s quicker than usual, and a vintage sounding guitar, riffing away Chuck Berry-style in between Brad Hargett’s signature, suicidal sounding vocal lines. Also – besides an obvious piano in the chorus – other orchestral instruments SEEM to enrich the track: are those buried in the verses saxophones and a screechy cello? If so, ‘Nature Noir’ might be one of the least orchestral sounding orchestral rock records ever produced – we are really looking forward to it!
Fuzz Poppers Pale Angels release debut LP “Primal Play”
Pale Angels, the new punk & fuzz-pop trio led by omnipresent drummer, guitarist, and vocalist Mikey Erg, is releasing today debut LP “Primal Play” via Kiss of Death/Specialist Subject records. Behind the fuzz of the band’s straightforward punk rock there is an evident grunge influence in songs like “Awful Son” and “In The Sunset.” “Slow Jangle” is, well, slower, featureing a more melodic approach with emotional lyrics. The album was mixed and recorded at Vacation Island Studios in Brooklyn by Ben Greenberg. You can stream the entire album here. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
Bleeding Rainbow Hosting Speedy Ortiz at Golden Tea House Aug. 13
Bleeding Rainbow are going underground tonight with a show at Golden Tea House. They’ll have a bunch of new songs added to their set so you’ll most likely get a bit of a preview of their upcoming LP. You’ll also get to hear the latest addition to their live lineup on drums, Ashley. Bleeding Rainbow will be hosting Northampton, Massachusetts indie-rock outfit Speedy Ortiz with Barrett Lindgren’s Ghost Light and Hurry, a project from Everyone Everywhere’s Matt Scottoline. It’s a righteous, jam-packed bill this evening at the West Philly DIY space. Golden Tea House, (Please message https://www.facebook.com/goldenteahouse for more info.), 7pm, All Ages (Photo by Jack Martin) – Alexis V.
Outer Space Heaters at Ash Street Saloon 8.15
These days the people of Portland are no strangers to groups that pigeonhole themselves into the surf-rock genre yet, as with most genres, our music scene has a way of churning out bands that find ways to twist familiar sounds into something different entirely. This is what Outer Space Heaters have done with their latest release, Desolate Surf. The album starts out grounded on Earth with a spaghetti-western riff that launches into a driving, dynamic sound that is anything but terrestrial. As the instrumental pieces progress they send you flying past booming asteroids and shifting into a distorted warp drive while the rhythms ride the tail of a comet. Eventually you find a place in orbit around a reverb-drenched star by the named of “Pulsar.” Sound like a journey you’d like to venture on? Then get to Ash Street Saloon on Thursday night to see Outer Space Heaters live, you can also listen to Desolate Surf in it’s entirety on their bandcamp page. – Benjamin Toledo
R5’s New Music Venue Boot and Saddle Re-opens Sept. 9 w/Aimee Mann & Ted Leo
From the NYC Open Blog: Hurrah! A Bolt of Light! at Rockwood on 08.17
Gearing up for a new release this fall, Hurrah! A Bolt of Light! returns to Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 on August 17th at 10pm. The band disclosed their first single "Bones" from the forthcoming album earlier this summer with a video directed by Ian Cinco. They’ve spent the summer working on new material and recording in LA, so expect them to have a few new tricks up their sleeve for CMJ. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Alt Rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Free Download: Daytrotter Session – Blues Control
Don’t let the rain and thunder get you down this morning. Daytrotter just released their session with avant-garde duo Blues Control to help part those clouds in your mind. You can stream and dowload it for free HERE (w/membership). Enjoy!
The Deli Portland Presents NTNT, Bike Thief and The Adam Brock 4 at Backspace 8.16
On Friday, August 16th The Deli Portland will be presenting an all-ages showcase at Backspace to celebrate the summer spirit with some of our favorite emerging acts. The Adam Brock 4 will be kicking off the evening as they combine electronic influences with folk sensibilities in their unique brand of indie-pop. Bike Thief will step up the energy with upbeat tempos and rocking dynamic movements, followed by the dance party that will surely ensue once NTNT take the stage to close out the night. There isn’t a better way to kick off your weekend in town, come out experience some of the best music Portland has to offer. Doors open at 8, music starts at 8:30. ¡Viva la Deli!
Two memorial shows for Brooklyn engineer Jim Bentley
Many local artists who had the fortune to record with Jim Bentley at his Bushwick DIY studio The Fort (pictured, the live room during a party) will perform live at two memorial shows this week. The first one will be at Fontana’s on 08.12 and the second at Cake Shop on Sunday 08.18.
Jim Bentley – a talented engineer who also a friend of The Deli – disappeared in unfortunate circumnstances a couple of weeks ago. More about Jim’s role in the local community of musicians can be found here.
There will be 2 dozen bands involved in these tribute shows, including Jennifer O’Connor (pictured), Doug Gillard, The Living Kills and The Barrens, who will reunite for this opporcunity. Full listings here and here.
Promised Land Sound Releases “Fadin’ Fast”
Fresh-faced and dewy-eyed with a mean age of 25, Promised Land Sound is already attracting attention from veteran ears. Jack White has given them high praise by releasing their live 7” on Third Man Records, and William Tyler is co-producing their upcoming album. Their first single was just released August 8th. "Fadin’ Fast" pays homage to their Southern roots with slide guitar and vocals that sound one heartbreak away from being licked. Expect more crackerjack musicianship on their debut album, “Paradise of Bachelors” due out on September 24th. – Terra James-Jura
Deli Artist Submission Review – The Shoe String Theory By Magna Carda
Part of what makes Austin’s music scene special is that every genre of music is not only represented but there is true talent across the board. Magna Carda is no exception and quickly rising to the top of the ATX’s Hip-Hop scene. The master duo behind The Shoe String Theory, their latest album, is Megz Kelli (rapper) and Dougie Do (producer). Megz’ intelligent lyrics and energy will hypnotize while the backing live band lays down a beat that will get help you to unlock your body and move. They’ve released a video for their single, "Inviting You", that is a must see complete with a surprise ending. –Written by Courtney Pierce
**This artist’s work was reviewed because they submit their music online to our site directly. If you would like your music to be considered, click here.**
LA Artists on the rise: Lawrence Rothman’s NYC debut
It’s rare that a new artist emerges so fully-formed without the usual fanfare to greet him. But such was the case with Lawrence Rothman, a Los Angeles-based electronic singer/songwriter, whose David Lynch-meets-Cindy Sherman music video for debut single “Montauk Fling” (streaming below) set the stage for an explosively entertaining seven song set at NYC’s Glasslands Gallery this past Thursday. (Rothman walks off the stage, through the crowd and out the door, not heard from again that evening.) The theatrical gimmicks are all there — crossdressing, fake blood, smeared makeup — which Rothman matches musically with noir-ish atmospherics and eerily slow rhythms that ache as much as they delight. His combination Nick Cave/David Bowie vocals assure that “Montauk” is no gimmick, rather an absorbing and evocative ode to those fleeting moments of physical connection and the ghosts left in their wake. – Brian Chidester