If you haven’t heard the name Fascinator before, don’t feel clueless: with a barely there online presence and their last musical offering released late last year, the band has been cruising along under the radar – but this may change soon. The side-project of Australian, now NYC based, Children Collide‘s frontman Johnny Mackay, the band debuted in 2012 with the track ‘Sexuality Mystery.’ Mackay initially kept his name off the project, but revealed his involvement with the release of his second video ‘Mr Caterpillar’. Released in October 2013, Fascinator’s second five song EP ‘Earth’ is a collection of dancy, dark, exotic psych-rock tunes, with lo-fi reverby vocals woven through it. Influences by Ariel Pink, early Beck and Connan Mockasin (refreshingly acknowledged by the band in their Facebook page) trickle through tracks like ‘Girl I Want’ (streaming) and ‘River Legs’. Having opened for Australian bands Tame Impala and Jagwar Ma earlier this year, Fascinator is set to play Burning Man next week. Their wild, fully costumed show is a must see, keep an eye out for upcoming show dates and fresh material dropping later this year – Brescia Mascheretti

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

This Saturday, August 23rd, Craig Greenberg will perform at Joe’s Pub in celebration of his birthday and in anticipation of his upcoming album, to be unveiled this fall. The singer-songwriter will be backed by a five-piece band and will give us a glimpse of what we can expect from the next release. The record will follow Greenberg’s “Spinning in Time” EP, a short but cohesive collection threaded with the twang of a country album, the melodic structure of pure-hearted pop and a light hearted vocal delivery reminiscent of Cake (the band). Known as “the troubadour piano man,” the artist is sure to put on an entertenining show this weekend. – Jillian Dooley

Le Rug is a band that has seen the ins and outs of this city, and to see them continue to make music is noteworthy and comforting at once. Lead singer/guitarist Ray Weiss might be a complicated guy, and he’s not quiet about it (he started perversely entertaining flame wars with half of the bands in Brooklyn via Facebook), but his music is undeniably passionate and fun and downright punchy.  I know Le Rug from Bleenex, their first album, but revisiting the stuff I missed in between has been a real treat.  There’s no wonder the man is fed up with the slacker vibes that have taken us by storm, Weiss puts all himself into the music, and what more can you ask for from anyone who practices their art seriously? Sometimes his songs are ridiculous, sometimes they’re angry, sometimes they’re 20 seconds long, but, invariably, the energy is there and it never falters.  Ray Weiss and friends recently released a Le Rug Collection called Press Start (The Collection) off Fleeting Youth Records.  It’s 32 songs of fuzzy maddnes including three albums, two EPs, and singles that never saw release.  If you’re unfamiliar with Le Rug, it’s a great place to get started.  Stream a couple of my favorites below.  -Jake Saunders

Michael can use the phrase “raison d’etre” in the same review as the phrase “awwww yeahhhhh,” because that’s how he rolls. 

 

 

 

Catch The Sluts this Friday at Liberty Hall; they’ll be playing #ASSJAMZ: Bands That Will Make You Dance, along with Approach, Paper Buffalo, and Spencer Brown. Show starts at 8 pm. Facebook event page. If you’re in KC, see them this Sunday at Vandals. They’ll be joined by fellow LFKers Mr. and the Mrs., Mannequin Pussy (NYC), and KC’s Anson the Ornery. Facebook event page. 

 

  

27-year-old producer Jeremy Lawrence (aka Visionary Jeremy, pictured) crafts tracks that sit in the pocket and groove at the tempo of a beating heart. Enlisting soft-spoken female voices, he creates a percussive balance between dark, heavy downbeats and shrill, hasty hi-hats and tambourines, moving his tracks along with purpose and admirable technical skill. Listen to his latest single entitled ‘Long Time’ – featuring Lily Virginia’s vocals.

Pandafan (pictured) is the work of Grace, Delaney, and Joe, an indie folk trio that crafts impressive harmonies, layering their three voices atop one another with elements of folksy crooning. The band keeps their tunes energetic and commanding, moving along at a speed reminiscent of traditional Irish music. They maintain a spirit of positivity threaded throughout their music, setting them apart from many more melancholic contemporaries. – Jillian Dooley

These artists submitted their music for coverage here.