Zambri and Hooray for Earth are (or maybe were?) two of the most underrated electronic bands to come out of Brooklyn in the late aughts/early ’10s. They shared an adventurous, borderline experimental approach to pop, the former leaning towards complex song structures and abstract melodies and sounds, the latter more focused on creating edgy and organic sounding arrangements for their melodic tracks, filled with industrial and psychedelic influences. Two of the leading musicians behind these two projects, Jessica Zambri and singer and multi-instrumentalist Noel Heroux, are now collaborating on a new band called Solvey. Judging from single ‘Redlight’ (video streaming) the duo’s musical direction sounds slightly less electronic and more dreamy, although the other single/video ‘The Weight‘ contraddicts these impressions right away, doubling down on experimentation and noise. We are looking forward to see what other surprises the upcoming full length will reserve, it’s scheduled for a fall release. Solvey is unveiling a new video tonight (08.13) at the Wythe Hotel.
New Track: “Bug” – Alex G
Alex G’s new album Beach Music is due out via UK label Domino on October 9. His fresh single “Bug” catches you in the crosshairs of yet another of his mesmerizing lo-fi narrative webs. The former The Deli Philly’s Year End Readers’/Fans’ Poll Winner’s fall tour rolls into First Unitarian Church November 14 with Girlpool and Eskimeaux.
The Extraordinaires Carry Plot Lines at The Pharmacy August 13
The Extraordinaires produce an entertaining multi-dimensional sound. Beginning with strolling keys and a dash of lively brass, their inviting lyrical tales transport listeners to a creative environment were musical moments carry plot lines. Rich with flowing instrumental adaption and time-honored vocal harmony, the band captures an inherent flight of the imagination that lifts one’s spirits in vivid infectious fashion. Tonight, at the Pharmacy, those casual airy vibes will be juxtaposed by the scuzzy noise-rocking exploits of Drums Like Machines who industrial sound reaches toward the future. A pair of New York-based ambient rock artists, Spreaders and Matt Luczak, round out an evening that shifts the borders of traditional sound. The Pharmacy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) 9pm., All Ages –Michael Colavita
Brooklyn Americana trio Tanbark premieres ‘Jenny’ off forthcoming “Write Soon” album
Brooklyn Americana trio Tanbark today premieres the deceptively merry song “Jenny” (streaming below) off their forthcoming album, ‘Write Soon.’ A near mythic story of small-town desperation, the freewheeling, guitar-winded track lucidly updates the tragic legend of Guinevere and Lancelot. As frontwoman Chloe Nelson revealed via e-mail, “I was reading T.H. White’s version of the two, not particularly romantic or handsome, but rather ugly and painful. Country music is all about heartbreak, so it seems a propos to tell of a classically doomed love." In the vein of Terrence Malick’s classic film Badlands or the deeply poignant songs off Bruce Springsteen’s masterful ‘Nebraska’ LP, Tanbark’s “Jenny” is sad but oh-so-alive. Tanbark will have an album release show for ‘Write Soon’ on Thursday 8.20 at Greenpoint’s Manhattan Inn. Full details for the event can be found at its Facebook page.– Zach Weg
Q&A with The Deli Showcase Contenders Pt.4
With The Deli Showcase quickly approaching, the pressure is on to put together the best local lineup with YOUR votes!
Get to know more about the bands with our fun Q&A, and vote HERE for as many bands as you’d like.
Charlie Oxford
1. Describe your sound with a movie title.
Soul Plane
2. If your band were a drink, what would you be?
Bourbon
3. If you could pick any band to cover your music, who would it be?
The Breathe In, Breathe Out
1. Describe your sound with a movie title.
Bill Murray 2: The Dark Knight Rises
2. If your band were a drink, what would you be?
Hemlock & Tonic
3. If you could pick any band to cover your music, who would it be?
When I’m Older
1. Describe your sound with a movie title.
Wristcutters: A Love Story
2. If your band were a drink, what would you be?
Can we be a bong rip? If not, a Trashcan (2 oz vodka, 2 oz white rum, 2 oz gin, 2 oz triple sec, 2 oz Blue Curacao liqueur, 1 can Red Bull energy drink)
3. If you could pick any band to cover your music, who would it be?
Either Nick Cave and The Bad Seens or Between the Buried and Me
HR_Lexy
1. Describe your sound with a movie title.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. If your band were a drink, what would you be?
A ginger bourbon lemonade with real ginger and high quality bourbon. We have spiciness and sweetness. Our sound is raw and delicate.
3. If you could pick any band to cover your music, who would it be?
I think Beach House would do an interesting job of covering some of our darker songs. She’d turn them into lullabies.
Check out our The Deli Showcase playlist below, find your favorites and vote!
Miracles of Modern Science release “Mean Dreams” at Mercury on 08.14
Formed at Princeton University in 2005, Miracles of Modern Science (MOMS) is a goofy, Brooklyn based chamber rock band that keeps it simple. Choosing to forgo electric guitas hasn’t prevented them from creating some fresh tunes – or maybe contributed to that, you, guitar obsessed masses! The band members stick with violin, cello, mandolin, drums and double bass, played by front man, Evan Younger. Having just released their newest LP, “Mean Dreams”, MOMS will be playing a release show on August 14th, at Mercury Lounge. To get a taste of their music check out their music video “Swipe”, a homage to Tinder, featuring brooklyn vocalist Kristin Slipp. -Lauren Schechter
New Track: “Lay Down” – Son Little
With his latest single “Lay Down”, Aaron Livingston a.k.a. Son Little soulfully serenades as delicate wisps of guitar and a gospel background vocals cultivate an air of intimacy. The reassuring warmth of his vocals gradually raises the temperature as the song simmers. Son Little’s self-titled debut is slated for an October 16 release via ANTI-. He will perform August 20 at Underground Arts, on a Red Bull Sound Select bill that also includes Bilal and Kate Faust.
Boy-girl folk duo Sacred Destinies recording new works
Sacred Destinies‘s dulcet boy-girl harmonies come as a surprise to many, even the duo. The band’s origin: Charlyne Yi and Jet Elfman were previously of far more aggressive bands — she was the singer of garage-punk outfit The Rangdangs, and he was guitarist/vocalist in the Angelean experimental indie flavored Wide Streets. They both yelled. A lot.
"I had no idea that he had the most angelic voice in the whole world till we jammed one night," says Charlyne.
Soon after a new band was formed. Synth and guitar intertwined as voice carried voice into the beginnings of a folk sound far different from the duo’s previous bands. Jet already knew their name.
"I had so much fun playing music with him, I jokingly asked, "What’s our band called?" And without any hesitation he looked back at me and answered, "Sacred Destinies," like he had known for an eternity."
With only one song finished and a gig set in Colorado, Jet and Charlyne threw together a ragtag tour, pushing themselves to write more songs together. Somewhere along the way, things got weird and magical.
"Jet also found a glowing sword at the bottom of a swamp where I was drowning, he taught me to swim, we used the magic sword to slay some monsters and save a sandwich from an evil sorcerer, which we shared after our great adventure."
Sacred Destinies are currently in recording sessions, having played on numerous occasions at The Smell and Pehrspace. Their prowess is also featured in the musical score for Bobcat Goldthwait’s recent documentary of comedian Barry Crimmins: Call Me Lucky. Listen to the hauntingly beautiful demo "Storks and Mosquitos", a first taste of more to come. – Ryan Mo, photo credit: Melissa Ramirez
Secret Club Releases Video for Party Anthem “I Do What I Want”
The secret’s out: Nashville-based garage rockers Secret Club are pumping out house party anthems, and their latest video for "I Do What I Want" will leave you smelling like cheap beer and bad decisions, in the best way.
Off their debut album Apocalypse Meow, "I Do What I Want" has the gritty crunch and sing-along-ability to fuel your next rager. Check out the video below! -Caroline Bowman
Richmond’s post-punk shoewave Canary oh Canary set headline at The Broadberry, 8/23
Fate can often be cruel, but she did the world a favor in bringing together Canary oh Canary, a post-punk trio from Richmond. They formed after entering a rock lotto and discovering their shared approaches to music. A grateful world can find much to enjoy in their latest LP, Sleep, as their aural aesthetic arises from groovy bass lines, sulky vocal work, and slamming guitar riffs. Fans and converts alike can find Canary oh Canary leading the lineup at The Broadberry, 8/23, as part of the Commonwealth of Notions concert series. -Jonathan Goodwin
New Moor Mother Goddess EP Available for Streaming
Moor Mother Goddess a.k.a. Camae Defstar recently released a self-titled EP. The EP, which is available on cassette via Vague Audio Tapes, pushes the parameters of exploratory hip-hop. These setting shifting compositions provide a new perspective. Moor Mother Goddess performs August14 at The Art Church as part of ROCKERS BBQ Weekend.
NYC Record of the Month: Pupppy – live at Aviv (08.25) and Palisades (09.05)
Originally the solo project of singer and songwriter Will Rutledge, Pupppy (yes, three "p"s) is a Purchase and NYC based indie-rock outfit that has since evolved into a quartet. Debut album "Shit in the Apple Pie," was released back in April and the band just recently finished touring in support of it. The record is an oddly satisfying mixture of poppy melodies contrasted by rough-sounding instrumentation and filled with an assortment of cynical and depressive lyrics. The first single from the record, "Beans," perfectly embodies the group’s overall attitude, as Rutledge sings, "My foot is stuck / In my mouth / Until I shove it all the way down / To the bottom of my throat / Then I puke / Truth all over you." Influences from early slacker pop pioneers such as Pavement and The Lemonheads, and at times also The Pixies (who only slacked on Kim Deal’s songs) are present throughout the record, especially on the tracks "Puking (Merry Christmas)," and "Or Maybe We’re Not." Overall, "Shit in the Apple Pie" is a solid debut containing 9 refreshingly catchy indie-rock / pop tunes. The band’s second album is currently in the works and you can catch them at Aviv on August 29th or at Palisades on September 5th. – Patrick Wolff
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!