Get up, and grub down for the 38th annual Human BBQ at Pilam. The all-day affair showcases a roll call of talented bands (17 in all); the majority of which are sprung from local soil. Among those are the psych-pop of Grubby Little Hands, whose new album Garden Party is set for release on April 29 via Lefse Records. The coasting, casual wave of Blue Smiley amplifies in intensity, pushing its loose air into a turbulent state. The melting point of electro-hip hop and ambient noise with Moor Mother Goddess brings a broad spectrum of sound together. Emotively sprinkled, reserved and then raucous sounds Bone Bats and the somber, twisted, rockin’ melodies of Cold Foamers juxtapose the 0 to 100 grind thrash of +HIRS+. The subtle, lilting, experimental textures of Japanese Breakfast help to round out this festive day into form. Pilam, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 12pm, $15, All Ages – Michael Colavita
New(YC) Releases: Salt Cathedral, Oberhofer, SKYES
Here at The Deli our efforts are mostly directed towards researching and covering new artists we never blogged, but of course there are a lot of bands we’ve already covered that release great new music that sometimes we don’t have the time to highlight. Hence, this new, telegraphic appointment called ‘New(YC) Releases" – because words aren’t always necessary… Here are a bunch of new releases by great NYC artists that are not so emerging anymore (pictured: SKYES):
Frame prepares release of long awaited album, plays C’mon Everybody on 04.21
If you had a dream where Debbie Gibson and Stevie Nicks collaborated on a DJ set, you might find you’ve come pretty close to Caitlin Frame’s music and her project FRAME. Drawing a line from well-crafted pop gems to synth-backed haze, this young lady has been teasing us for a while about a pending album release. Frame is set to play some of this music at new Bushwick venue C’mon Everybody on Thursday, April 21st with Karlie Bruce. It’s been some time since she’s announced a show, and we’re excited to hear some of the new material, along with classic dream beat anthems like Run Around. Check out our favorite single ‘Polarizer’ below and, if you dig, don’t miss the upcoming performance. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Weekend Warrior, April 8 – 10
Shanshala explores the dark corners on “Creepier Than Family”
There’s something weird going on in Nashville, and I like it. Remember when the underground scene started getting some attention and everybody realized there was a rich layer of music underneath the shiny radio country exterior? That whole scene is sure no secret anymore, and we’re starting to see signs of a layer growing underneath that. It’s moldy, the temperature is stifling, and we have every reason to believe this is where the mole people are hiding some form of civilization.
Ace Quaalude is the first one we spotted, but that could have been an isolated incident. It’s when we noticed Velcro & The Slow Children and its parent Mesoamerica Records that it became clear some kind of funky movement was brewing. Shanshala’s Creepier Than Family is the sprawling manifesto for that movement. Featuring the aforementioned misfit stalwarts, as well as fellow Deli favorites Bummr City and a handful of other contributors, the album sounds something like if Ween were raised on the garage rock ethos. Despite covering a lot of ground, Creepier Than Family keeps focus with admirable precision. The Bandcamp page notes that these songs were recorded during sessions for an official full-length debut by Shanshala. Keep an eye out for that, but hit the stream below in the meantime. –Austin Phy
Peach Kelli Pop releases new track “Halloween Mask”
Garage pop quintet Peach Kelli Pop are speaking against the troubling expectations of beauty in "Halloween Mask". The local project lead by Allie Hanlon takes a serious topic with a more amenable attitude toward tasteful songwriting, enveloping its rippling guitar noise and Breeders-like vocal harmonies with a spiked jangle melody.
Peach Kelli Pop are gearing up for a national tour that will be going on all throughout the month of May. Listen to the track below, and look out for their forthcoming 7", due April 29 via Lauren Records.
You Fucking Die brings rabid hardcore punk to St. Vitus on 04.18
The true punk essence, we believe, is all in the vocals. Guitars and drums can only go so far in expressing rabid anger, total disgust, frustration-induced madness. It’s a kind of singing that requires its own talent to be pulled off properly, and Daniel Fern, the singer of Brooklyn’s aptly named hardcore punk trio You Fucking Die, is surely blessed with it – or rather, damned? The band just released this single entitled ‘Sterile Art’ from their upcoming EP and will be playing on a noisy bill of local acts at St. Vitus on April 18th.
New Pocket EP Available for Streaming & Download
Emo trio Pocket unleashes close-up revelations in its new EP 1616. With a polished, melodic, steady instrumental/vocal balance, the band generates power via tight ebb and flow instrumentation and defined lyrical description. While a record release show is set to occur in June courtesy of Broken World Media, Pocket will be performing next in Philly on April 17 at The Fire with Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate), Warren Franklin, and Jet Set Sail.
DREAMERS release video for “Drugs” + tour + play The Studio on 05.20
Over the past couple of months Brooklyn’s DREAMERS has been climbing our emerging artists charts, and we wonder if vocalists’ Nick Wold’s new haircut has anything to do with it. Single ‘Wolves,’ which propelled their career forward, dates back to 2014 although it feels like it was recorded in the 90’s after some kids felt inspired by Rod Daniel’s Teen Wolf and all of John Hughes’ movies but only had their parents old camcorder to work with. With new single ‘Drugs’ (streaming) the trio pushes the sonic envelope in more-epic-than-ever directions, matching it with a video that, again, heavily references image-capturing devices: this time the semi-DIY ones found in our smartphones, which – not coincidentally – are the form of "drug" the song is about. Currently on a month long US tour, the band will return to NYC with a show on May 20 at The Studio @ Webster Hall. Check out this 2014 Deli interview with Dreamers.
New Track: “Build Your Own Bro Smasher Original Soundtrack.” – +HIRS+
Wake the fuck up! It’s Friday, and time to make your ears bleed this morning, in a good way, as we get ready for the weekend. Forgive us, we have grown accustom to +HIRS+ releasing about 100 tracks at a time (literally) so it feels a bit strange to just be sharing with you their latest single "Build Your Own Bro Smasher Original Soundtrack." And for those who know what we are talking about, just try and think of this track as an EP.
Way Out takes on Great Scott on 4.14
Do you ever miss your days of teen angst, where every slight was a deep wound that only music could heal? No? Well, listen to Way Out and you will just get it. There is something nostalgic and analog in Way Out’s music, the way Knox belts out the vocals, the deep reverb of the bass pulsing slowly in the background as the guitar speeds jaggedly through the track. It’s reminiscent of early 80’s post punk goth scene – a little bit of The Cure’s brooding atmosphere with a pinch of The Smiths’ despondence, perfect for your gloomy days. Or happy days. Or completely average days. Sometimes you just need a little dark and gloomy in your playlist amidst all the bubbling pop of today and Way Out has that for you. Catch them at Great Scott on April 14 and take a listen below!
Nick Henderson
Nick Henderson recently released his debut album Black or White. Henderson blends classic R&B with updated electro/synth-pop to create a dancefloor ready sound. Below is the video for the album lead single "Forever".
You can catch Nick Henderson at House of Blues on April 21st.