Music lovers who were sonically aware in the late ’90s and early aughts will find a lot to like in Juiceboxxx‘s debut single ‘Freaking Out’ (streaming). The tune somehow manages to incorporate in one single track some of the most mind blowing music of that era, from Beck’s quirky-yet-groovy production style to the punchy and synthetic big beat of The Chemical Brothers, while adopting a tense rapping style in part reminiscent of The Beastie Boys. 

The track is "about hitting brick walls and fucking everything up but despite it all staying the course and trying to change your life in a positive way." Juiceboxxx’s debut album ‘Freaked Out American Loser’ will be out 7/28 on Dangerbird Records, and you can catch the man live on May 24th at The New Secret Project Robot Space on 1186 Broadway in Brooklyn.

Sofar Sounds started in London in 2009, when two guys realized that most live shows felt kind of soulless. They started Sofar Sounds as a way of booking intimate, secret shows, and the idea found the unconditional support of sir Richard Branson, quickly expanding to hundreds of music scenes (NYC was among the first). The Deli enjoys being involved in these events not only because of the noteworthy local talent on display, but also because they are well lit, something that allows people to actually see our print magazines!

Sofar and The Deli have a joint event booked for tomorrow, but we can’t tell you where it is nor who’s playing until a few hours before it begins… why? Because that’s how Sofar Sounds works: it’s about creating suspence and exceeding expectations. So… you just have to trust us that this is a show that’s worth witnessing, with three uber-talented NYC based artists (two ladies and one dude), playing music intersecting the folk, pop, soul and experimental genres. You can purchase tickets here using code DELI-64AE0, which gets you to skip the line and go straight to payment. See you there!

Obliques is the project of New Yorkers Zach Van Hoozer and Ben Flesch. The duo is adopting the marketing technique of depriving the press of their head shots, replacing it with tasteful graphics. Their smooth and well produced pop-soul features an interesting balancing act between the soulful and passionate but clean vocal melodies and the edgy distorted guitar parts. Single Lightweight (streaming below) perfectly exemplifies this dynamic, which is in all likelihood the sign of a healthy collaboration. This is definitely a band worth checking out when they play at Berlin on May 23rd.

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

This Thursday, May 11th, Boiler Room is teaming up with the Dance Liberation Network to produce an event at Brooklyn’s House of Yes to raise awareness for Let NYC Dance, a campaign to help repeal the archaic cabaret laws still in effect in NYC. The event, which will be live streamed via Boiler Room’s channels, aims to drive attention to the campaign and encourage people to sign the petition pushing for repeal of the law: since 1926 it has been illegal to dance in NYC without a Cabaret License- a nearly unobtainable license that is far out of reach for bars and clubs that cater to everyday New Yorkers. 

Musically, the night will unify a broad range of DJs/performers to illustrate the diversity of NYC’s sound, spanning the range of generations of music and people who have been affected by this law. Each DJ will celebrate a different generation of NYC sound, grounding the event in a historical and educational context. Dancing is part of the fabric of NYC and they want to highlight the absurdity it being illegal to do so.  

Check out the NYC based artists involved in this bill in the playlist below.

Ora Cogan plays a unique blend of psychedelic folk, dark wave ambient and experimental dream pop.  Her new album Crickets is scheduled for a full release later this year, but is currently sharing two tracks to listen to now.  Title track “Crickets” presents a circular time signature via cascading guitar figure and bell chime percussion.  Ms. Cogan’s vocals emerge unexpectedly and float above the defined rhythm, adhering to a much looser structure.  A variety of keyboard synths are employed, creating pulsating textures underneath changing segments.  There are elements of Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny and Renaissance’s Annie Haslam in the sweetly powerful vocal phrasing and loose psych-folk performance.  Second track “The Light” builds off of a tambourine and snare percussion pattern with syncopated counter strikes.  Ora’s vocals feel more intimate here, leaning closer to the ethereal charm of Kate Bush.  Ms. Cogan will be appearing at Union Pool on 05/14. – Dave Cromwell