Burbank’s punk trio Dustin and the Explosions play whatever they feel like. Sometimes it’s abrasive, in-your-face hardcore punk, and other times it’s pacific and briney surf rock. Sometimes Mike Trejo and Cindy Sukrattanawong switch instruments between songs. We haven’t seen Evan Piehler step off the drums yet, but who knows? It could happen.

One thing is constant about Dustin and the Explosions: in their years of existence they’ve run non-stop DIY. The group has been actively setting up and playing shows with the locale, usually at The Smell: bands like Kid Cadaver, GRMLN, Post-Life, and WASI. It’s no question that the band exists for their love of music, even the production and label aspect — the trio even release friends’ records via their startup Bed Weather Records. And yeah, they tend to share a musical connection with Southern California’s hardcore punk bands, like The Dead Kennedys, only their lyrics aren’t sardonic and politically charged — they’re pretty introspective and hit really close to home.

Dustin and the Explosions’ newest 7" release Serpents was released last May, nearly two years since their debut album Off-White Noise, and they’ve just released a music video for their song "I Don’t Know Any Kakarot, That’s Not My Name" filmed by members of Ghost Noise. Catch them again next month for a live performance at (where else?) The Smell. Maybe you’ll see Evan on guitar for a song? – Ryan Mo

Once a month The Deli sponsors Hypnocraft‘s lovely shows at the Greenpoint restaurant/piano bar Manhattan Inn – the series goes under the name "At the Inn." This upcoming Monday July 13th, some artists very dear to The Deli will be performing within a night that’s a tribute to John Lennon & Harry Nilsson. Not many of you will be aware that super talented Nicole Atkins (pictured) was on the cover of the third issue of The Deli a few years a go (more than a few actually…). We are also huge fans of Sam Cohen and TEEN, bands we covered abundantly, while Jared Samuel’s newer act Invisible Familiars recently got a full feature on our NYC print issue. All these artists, among others, will be performing in the Inn’s intimate setting, and – should your company be not incredibly entartainig – the room will be well lit enough to allow you to read the latest issues of The Deli in between sets! See ya there! More info here.

Sleepy Brother, a folksy acoustic duo from Richmond, VA released a single called "Glimpse" last month featuring lulling plucks on guitar and smooth vocals explaining an upbringing inspired narrative. This month they are preparing for the full unveiling of their upcoming album "Let in the Light". They will be celebrating this achievment with a performance at Sound of Music Recording Studios on 7/18 accompanied by fellow Richmond based band Ocean Versus Daughter and NC’s Bear Stevens. Heather Wiederholt’s voice enters the sacharine, her lyrics encouraging nostalgia and optimism, while Nathan Burns brings the grounding keys, guitar, and percussion.

– Leora Mandel     

You shouldn’t let go of an ideal band mate: Katy Gunn and Anna Lidell found each other, and not even an ocean in between is slowing down their collaboration, that goes under the name of Teenage Love: the Brooklyn/Copenhagen based duo’s beautifully textural ‘Gold’ EP is out today (July 7th), and, besides bright musical talent, it showcases a playful approach to gear and musical technology, which is surely also crucial in keeping this long distance relationship alive. We asked Katy and Anna a few questions about their gear and creative process in this interview (link below). Check out the EP’s title track streaming below.

Delicious Audio Interview: Teenage Love’s Gear and Creative Process

If you’ve still got some beach vibes left over after July 4th, but you don’t feel like hoofing it to Coney Island, then Larry & the Babes’ new EP ‘The Dolphin Tapes’ will take you there (streaming below, opening track ‘Perfect Person’). It’s the perfect blend of dreamy doo-wop and old-school surf music, with a sound that’s both bubblegum pop and garage rock. Larry and the Babes is a throwback to the California surfing days you were definitely born too late for, but comes on a… cassette tape, a format you were also born too late for, but that, against all ods, was reintroduced by broke Brooklyn bands in the new millennium. The Brooklyn-bred band is headlining at Palisades this Tuesday, July 7th, and it’s their leading man Larry’s birthday, so it’s sure to be an extra special show. – Sam O’Hara