For the fourth time in as many years, lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport will host the Village Voice’s day long. free entry 4Knots Music Festival. Happening on Saturday July 12 from 1-8 pm, the event is rain or shine, and as in previous years bands will perform on two alternating stages. An eclectic assemblage of artists is scheduled to appear this year, running the gamut from legendary status, those solidly established over the last year all the way through to fresh and emerging acts.

One noteworthy band on the rise who has recently released their first full length album titled “Slumber” is Brooklyn’s Dead Stars. Currently embarked on an east coast and midwestern tour, the band will wrap that up with a homecoming appearance at this event. The new collection of songs takes what was already appealing about this band and multiplies it exponentially. Opening track “Someone Else” grabs hold with the chorus hook a mere 50 seconds in, and memories of every uptempo, Americana band you ever loved runs wildly through your head. The timely “Summer Bummer” (streaming) leans heavily on the solid backbeat dropped down by master sticksman Jaye Moore. Cousin Jeff’s playful lyrics echo Joey Ramone’s casual nonchalance towards negativity, while John’s bass lands squarely on Lou Barlow’s groove.

Another up and comer performing who proudly represents the borough of Queens is Juan Wauters, also known as the songwriting force behind lo-fi Brooklyn gem The Beets, now signed to Captured Tracks. Though he claims his songs represent an evolving search for that specific sound which will never come to be, the 60’s era folk groove of his first 7” single “Sanity” belie such nihilism. While the track’s lyrical subject matter may explore darker corners of human psyche, its rhythmic groove evokes original British invasion folk-poppers like Peter & Gordon. The vocal delivery and overall vibe conjures up images of Austin Powers leading a line dance down Carnaby Street.

This year’s big name headliner is 90’s legends Dinosaur Jr, who reunited a few years ago and have consistently put out new material ever since, and are probably one of the most influential band in Brooklyn’s current 90’s rock revival. Other acts scheduled to perform are Mac DeMarco (he’s a New Yorker now!), Those Darlins, Speedy Ortiz, Radkey, Viet Cong, Nude Beach and Re-TROS. – Dave Cromwell

So how do you know when you’re partying too hard? For Good Times Cocaine, the answer might be ‘never.’ Tracks like ‘Weekend Friend’ and ‘Kings of the Summer’ are the perfect late night companions. Turbo-charged with high-velocity riiffage and sweet ass harmonies perfect for sipping (or gulping) down a couple beers. But these aren’t just jock rockers either. While most tracks off the pop punk duo’s debut EP ‘#selfie’ will become the soundtrack to your weekend, one of their best songs might be album closer ‘Back To You:’ a bittersweet memory of someone they’re remembering while ‘marching through the longest of days.’ Check it out below, and see the band when they play Pete’s Candy Store on Saturday, July 19th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

DC’s Black Checker are putting on an interesting alternative show at an interesting (new?) alternative space this Sunday, June 29th. For $5, at Churreria Madrid in Adams Morgan, you not only get the combo of Black Checker’s power-pop, Laughing Man’s psychedelic blues, and Rom’s (formerly The Dead Women) tight post-punk, but also a PBR or a churro! Choices…

Laughing Man are preparing to release their eagerly anticipated Be Black Baby EP, and Rom have recently released their awesome first full-length, Soda Christ (featured here on the DC Deli). Plus churros. Doors at 7:30. –Natan Press

Letting their songs unfold into blossoming landscapes of warm and fuzzy nostalgia, Luluc, a NYC based duo from Australia, definitely knows how to take their time.  Simple juxtapositions take precedence in their lyrics: the moon and the sun, a frown and a smile, rain or shine. This tactic allows their songs to swing from uplifting to melancholic.  “What a big smile, what a frown / You’re dancing and jumping like a clown / You choose the best dream to pull off / Then we move about to your song / Maybe fall down to your knees / In a world of make believe” they sing in “Without a Face,” a track full of sprawling and ambient acoustics, nostalgic images and tender playfulness.  If this single’s promises are kept, their upcoming LP, ‘Passerby’ – due July 15th on Sub-Pop – might very well become a summer must-listen. See them live at Pianos this Friday (06.27) and at Rough Trade on July 14. – Jake Saunders

Dynasty Electric – one of our favorite NYC party bands – just released this new video that reads like some kind of documentary of the lifestyle your average Deli (male) writer lives here in Brooklyn: nightly parties with hot women and lots of cash flying around! (As a matter of fact that’s what Deli writers normally contribute to these parties: piles of flying $100 dollar bills – NEVER miss a Deli party again!). The song feature emerging hip hop starlet  Luminahdi, and was born from an improvised studio session. 

Balancer is a three piece from Boston by way of Columbia and Puerto Rico that has finally settled in our quaint Brooklyn scene (HA… quaint, what a riot!).  Avoiding the grandiose, Balancer in their first album ‘Tipsoo’ focuses on the subtleties, which they magnify within a textured landscape of mellow ambience. Soothing synths and trance-like song structures provide an incredibly relaxing record, grabbing onto sounds and moods tweaked by bands like Givers or Grizzly Bear. Take a listen to the streaming standout track, “The Age is a Gift,” an effective melding of melting psychedelia and pop song structure. We are seeing pictures of lakes, sunsets over oceans, crystalline ice, and children on see-saws. – Jake Saunders

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