Of the small contingent of Toronto artists that traveled to NYC last week to participate in the CMJ Music Marathon, Greys was by far the loudest – and ended up also getting the most attention. The quartet plays post-hardcore unapologetically inspired to legendary band Fugazi (one of their songs is named after the DC band’s guitarist Guy Picciotto). They’ve been around since 2011 and have a European tour, two EPs and two singles under their belt. A new 7", entitled "Repulsion." will be released on October 30th. Check out their powerful single "If Anything," streaming below.

Some band names have the power to inhibit your "clicking" will, and, admittedly, the band called K.I.D. (akronim for "Kid In Dehad precisely that effect. But sometimes you’ve gotta get past first impressions… Our self-discipline triumphed though, and the consequent, reluctant clicking was rewarded with some really cool electronic rock-pop by a Toronto duo that’s currently in NYC for the CMJ music festival. Check out their recent video for single "New Emotion," which showcases singer Kara’s noteworthy vocal talent and presence, and the band’s propensity for radio friendly melodies. After their appearance at CMJ, K.I.D. will come back to Canada for a brief East Coast tour. 

Here at The Deli we try to reward artists that dare to forge new, interesting sounds, and Portland duo Windus definitely belongs to this category, at least in this 2014 single "Peninsula" from their debut, self titled EP. We love the stripped down intensity, minimalistic melodies and textural elements coming and going in waves. The rest of the records settles for a more regular folk sound, but always keeping the intensity and poetry on. You can see Windus live at Mississippi Studios on 11.19.

The CMJ festival is currently on in NYC, and we stumbled upon a Portland artists that’s taking part in it we never covered before: Grace Mitchell. The 18 year old certainly sounds a lot older and wiser than her age in her blues-electro-pop sophomore EP "Raceday," which was released just a few weeks ago. Her tracks certainly don’t belong to the widespread "intimate female songwriter" category, but on the contrary possess almost invariably a bombastic pop element. It’s really hard to believe a teenager can have a vocal delivery as confident as hers. 

We certainly have an affinity with the gals at Hypnocraft (who organize the Deli sponsored weekly, collaborative, female-artist-only nights called The Hum) since they keep booking musicians involved with bands we love, many of whom we featured on our rag’s cover in the past. The upcoming event, scheduled for Monday 10.19, features a particularly intriguing line up. 

The first collaboration will see extraordinary one-woman-band Emily Wells (whom we booked years ago for a fantastic BK Bazaar show) collaborate with atmospheric electronic artist Lorna Dune; expect a lot of electronic instrumentation laying around, and some looping of acoustic instruments. After this duo, a quartet of ladies will take the stage: Kristin Slipp (Cuddle Magic), Rosana Caban (Psychic Twin), Angelica Bess (Body Language), and Becca Kauffman (Ava Luna) – the latter two were featured with their bands on the cover of past issues of The Deli; a lot of really good vocalists in this group, we would be surprised if we didn’t witness some three way harmonizing at some point during the set… The final show will mix things up big time, with a jazz flavor brought by saxophonist Hailey Niswanger and xylophonist Nikara Warren, and Hip Hop vocals courtesy of rapper L.atasha A.lcindor AKA L.A. and soulful singer Katie Jones.

It will be a fun night, hope to see you there! – Photo by Amanda Hatfield — with Katrina Cunningham and Idgy Dean at Manhattan Inn last Monday.

Last CMJ 2015 show! It’s pop time, who doesn’t like pop? C’mon everybody – there will be FREE SWEETWATER BEER from 7 to 8pm!!!

Check out this awesome compilation with a track by each artist performing tonight.

The Deli NYC’s Folks

My first CMJ day started at Arlene’s Grocery with Wet Leather, an NYC based band. The quintet filled the venue with their soulful and memorable alt pop. You can hear an 80’s influence (dominating synth & funky basslines) in their music, but it isn’t gimmicky. Performing alongside, “Yours and Mine,” a track of theirs with anthem potential, Wet Leather also premiered their new track, “Shame,” which had just been premiered on Consequence of Sound. Continuing my night at Cake Shop, Caged Animals were a highlight. The group makes dreamy alt pop so momentous, I forgot I was in the Lower East Side of Manhattan; with introspective lyrics, Vincent Cacchione’s voice, often harmonizing with Magali Francoise, soared over the tightly organized instrumentation. Ending the set with their song, “Teflon Heart,” the track’s catchy melody and vocal hook followed me the rest of the night. To finish the night, I headed back around the corner to Arlene’s Grocery to see local Hip Hop duo (via Philly and Iraq!) Weekend Money perform (pictured). Lead singer Ne$$ was bold in every way, shouting into the crowd, “This ain’t spoken word, wake the fuck up!” Accompanied by Baghdaddy, the two made the audience bounce, but it was Ne$$’s lyrics that were most affecting. Performing their track “Yellow,” he exclaimed to the NYC audience, “Piggy piggy piggies, all I see/Roll around in NYC/And I just try to stay out their way/ We get money in Manhattan take it back to BK.”

If you saw the cover of Jaime Woods‘ new EP, "Troy," and thought it was an effort in nu-feminist rock, ala Tracy Chapman or Sinead O’Connor, you’d only be half wrong. Musically, she’s retro-soul with a modern twist; vocal inflections recall Amy Winehouse, though the restrained singer-songwriter vibe of cuts like “How Love’s Made” keep things resolutely personal and poetic. Her more recent single "Powers" (streaming below) has been resonating with thousands, online. Don’t miss he performance, tonight at Rockwood Music Hall within The Deli’s CMJ 2015 Showcases. – Brian Chidester

We can’t believe we haven’t blogged about Grassfight in three years – yes because we really dug their 2011 debut EP "Icon EP" and 2012 follow up "Icon EP2" – two of the best NYC Post-Punk releases of the decade (so far). After that quick 1-2 punch, it has taken the band three years to produce their third work "Please Don’t Tell," also an EP, which again features their claustrophobic, tense, electric sound, led by Nathan Forster commanding and tortured tenor. The record features a better production, but doesn’t compromise in the bleakness department. Check out the title track, streaming below.

Altopalo is a group of very young and skilled New York musicians who have a knack for mixing soul music and edgy psychedelic rock bordering on experimental music. The band – our artist of the month at some point last year – just released their debut album ‘noneofuscared,’ and it’s one of the most daring NYC records we’ve heard this year. In all likelyhood, traditional soul music fans won’t love it, but those who appreciate the experimental attitude that’s at the core of the NYC scene will find a lot to like. Check out single "hahsnheads," streaming below, and see Altopalo live at Cameo on October 18 – the guys are TIGHT! – Photo by Colin Marchon.

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

Few things are more effective in grabbing our attention than really good press pictures, and Israeli electronic chanteuse Tesha – who recently moved to NYC – sure knows a thing or two about that. But looks are irrelevant if not supported by good music, and, in this case, support was found. Tesha plays a stylishly cinematic, vaguely jazzy form of synth pop, reminiscent of some of the less trippy trip hop bands like Lamb and Morcheeba, but entirely her own. Her voice is confident and full of character, and her comfort zone is in the downtempo side of things, which opens space for the creative electronic arrangements. On her Bandcamp profile you’ll find an instrumental single and a three song EP, entitled "Crystallization," both released in 2014. We paricularly enjoyed opening track "Over the Edge" (streaming). We have three opportunities to catch her live this week within the CMJ music marathon.