This past spring, Brooklyn duo The Bright Smoke released their sophomore LP ‘Terrible Towns.’ Upon listening to the ominous, beat-stuttered opener “Hard Pander” and the church bell wistaria of second song “Like Video” (streaming below), we wereinstantly intrigued and quickly hooked. Band founder Mia Wilson’s brusque yet sonorous timbre pleasantly recalls both Portishead’s Beth Gibbons and Florence and the Machine’s titular singer while her lyrics strike of their own sharp beauty. “I don’t wear the sun so well these days/So never mind,” she sings on “Hard Pander,” displaying songwriting that is simultaneously elegant and moving. The Bright Smoke plays at The Mercury Lounge tonight (7/25). – Zach Weg

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

This Sunday, DIY collective Mountair hosts a benefit festival for Pehrspace dubbed The Dark Frontier — an all-day event featuring chilling ’80s-inspired sounds. Performances will run the gamut of post-punk, synthpop, and electropunk with BCGs, Ghost Noise (who just released the single "Crucifix" for their upcoming double-album), Intimatchine, Terminal A, and more, with DJs Michael Fierstein (KXLU) and Carlos Rossi (Death Waltz Recording Company) playing between sets. 

The event is all ages and doors open at 3 PM. Proceeds will help maintain the art gallery/performance venue. – Ryan Mo

Brooklyn based quintet Three Thousand Rivers plays uplifting and melodically ripe folk-pop with rock and orchestral elements (a violinist and a saxophonist are permanent band members). Their sophomore EP ‘Body Aha’ – which we are premiering below – boasts a remarkably organic sound and, when compared with last year’s debut ‘Like a What?‘, showcases a noteworthy growth in terms of production and songwriting. Whether you’ll spend your summer stuck at work or travelling through foreign landscapes, this is a record that will entertain you and create positive vibes. Three Thousand Rivers will celebrate their release party at The Mercury Lounge on August 8.

If albums full of dark, brooding minimalism are your thing, then you may want to keep your eye on Brooklyn-based electronic group The Mast. The duo, comprised of singer Haleh Gafori and multi-instrumentalist Matt Kilmer, have evolved quite a bit since the 2011 release of their debut record, "Wild Poppies," which combined expressive guitar playing and tribal percussion sounds. Their sophomore follow-up "Pleasure Island," as well as the recently released EP "1," have seen the guitars vanish behind a veil of ethereal vocals, and the acoustic sounding drums be replaced by a bevy of electronic beats and synth sounds – most of them still triggered manually by Kilmer. The duo also takes a unique approach to the idea of live performances, offering live-streaming shows from their basement in addition to the more traditional show. Speaking of live performances, The Mast’s next one will be at the Mercury Lounge on August 2nd. Don’t miss out! – Patrick Wolff

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

Coming to you from The Deli’s digital submissions, with a sound that has been described as the "sonic equivalent of biting into a Gushers candy," is the first full-length album from NYC puzzle-pop band Palm Pilot. The record, entitled "PLM PLT," is a 10-track collection of songs bursting with color and rhythmic complexity. Hints of influence from bands such as Tame Impala and The Flaming Lips are peppered throughout the album and mixed in with the groups’ own combination of math rock and psych-rock elements to form a vibrant first effort. Although the group currently has no scheduled shows, they do have new material in the works, so keep out an eye for any further releases. "PLM PLT" is currently available for free on Bandcamp and we’ve got a track from the album, "Innerworkings," streaming below. – Patrick Wolff

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

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

With a voice like a siren, Sara Curtin’s songs draw in the listener like flies to the honey of her slow rhythms and alluring voice. The DC-based indie songstress releases her latest album “Michigan Lilium” on 7/24, building on her haunting and soulful repertoire with the new single Summer. Curtin’s vocals give away her classical training and the instrumental accompaniment is duly inspired, framing the lyrics beautifully. Catch Curtin perform at the DC Rock & Roll Hotel at 8pm, 8/6, as well as other great Washington acts, The North Country and Stranger in the Alps. -Jonathan Goodwin