Brooklyn’s Hints describe themselves as a "Thatcher-era, guitar-pop band." That’s an interesting way to say that they are inspired by the acts that came out of England in the 80s, since the "Baroness" was in charge from 1979 until 1990. They may want to add that they are a "2nd to 3rd term Tatcher era band", because the British post punk of the early 80s erred on the punky side of things rather than the poppy one. The band released three double singles to date, consistently and convincingly inspired to the sound of the goth tinged, post Smiths UK indie-pop of the 80s – those who already like The Sundays (probably Hint’s biggest influence) and The Psychedelic Furs should check out bands like House of Love and Loyd Cole and the Commotions for some mostly obscure gems of the era. Hints are scheduled to play Glasslands on December 1st.

We told the fasinating story of Brooklyn resident Mishka Shubali in last summer’s Ten Year Anniversary Issue of The Deli. The man, who found commercial success as a writer after years spent chasing the rock’n’roll dream with bands like Freshkills and Beat the Devil, has more than one interesting – and often darkly funny – thing to say about his neighborhood of choice and its music scene. He’s now coming out with a new album scheduled for a February 2015 release and entitled "Coward’s Path," written at the nadir of his musical career: tunes about death and darkness and failure and the cold comfort of oblivion – but without ever losing his fatalist sense of humor: "“With Coward’s Path, well, you’ve drank the bar closed, they’ve kicked everyone else out and pulled the gate down so it’s just the bar staff and their friends. The drugs come out. […]The party turns weird. The party turns bad. Shit gets totally out of control. And then you have to stumble out into the daylight and confront what you’ve done.”

Talking about immigration controversy… The Deli would like to give the guys in Balancer (the ones in the band hailing from Columbia, since the Puerto Rican should be good) permanent residence in NYC for… making real good music? We are sure even the most raci… ahem… obstructionist Tea Partiers will fall in love with the celestial melodies of their latest record "Tipsoo," or at least with this beautiful single entitled "re-minder." And to those concerned about the fact the NYC scene (or any other place in this land) is getting less and less American, The Deli says: "yo, since when is America, American?!?"

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