To compliment the lingering haze of this week’s scorching sun, it would only seem appropriate to fall in love with the psychedelic twang of The Mystery Lights. The New-York-by-way-of-Cali band has uncovered and reintroduced a vintage sound of surf-psych that combines a rock-n-roll heart with a trippy surf mind. Combining the stabby bi-coastal garage resonance of the 60’s and 70’s with occasional flourishing blues riffs and southern-style soloing, you’d think The Mystery Lights were from everywhere (man), but it seems fitting that they are headquartered both in NYC and California. Frontman Mike Brandon, and fellow guitarist L.A. Solano serve as the backbone of the project, while Alex Amini and Nick Pillot play bass and drums, respectively, in New York, and Joe Styles and Steve Miller play bass and drums, respectively, in California: a pretty cool, and ideal setup. When they get back from China, check them out at Union Pool on September 9th. – JP Basileo

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

With a name that encapsulates an undeniable obsession of our society, NYC’s alt folk band Cult of Youth plays music most children and teenager would find scary – and that only the most anti-conformist among twenty-somethings might appreciate. The group has been around since 2007, releasing three records of uncommon originality, that update the American traditional roots music with elements ranging from the noir to the downright scary, hailing from that cauldron of darkness and unresolved tension that is the post punk scene of the early 80s (think Joy Division, Birthday Party, Bauhaus etc.). The band will be performing a rare gig at Greenpoint’s St. Vitus on September 25 – recommended show – and we hear that they are about to announce a new record. (photo by Greg Cristman)

Christine Tambakis might be the Rick James of soul-funk dance parties. Backed by the Party Down Boys (a criminally raging octet of loud horns, rowdy rhythms, and dangerously chic clothing choices), her band The Uptown Party Down will bring your inner freak up to the surface, shake it around on the dance floor, and leave you wondering why you haven’t seen this band live before. Going to an Uptown Party Down show is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and with a new album coming out later this year, now’s the perfect time to get out there and get weird. Check out sexy new video ‘She’ below, starring Crystal Demure from ‘Kinky Boots.’ – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

September is here and our "Press Releases!" inbox is already getting out of control. Let’s deal with some news about emerging NYC bands in quick succession…

Definitely not a band lacking in intensity, Brooklyn indie rock quartet Ghastly City Sleep (pictured) will be releasing their sophomore album ‘Lulling Skulls’ in October, and have just unveiled a single from it (entitled ‘Clumsy one’) on Diffuser.fm.

We remember Syvia as an electronic band, but they just debuted this ‘no budget’ video for new single ‘Two Homes’ that definitely conflicts with that notion. The band will be releasing a full length entitled ‘FWD’ later this year, cool song and edgy video considering the budget!

The Prettiots charmed us to the core at our recent Ten Year Anniversary Parties, and this new video of single ‘Boys (That I Dated In High School)’ is further proof of lead singer Kay Kasparhauser’s appeal. We sure wish we dated as many people in high school as she did! The band has a Pianos residency in September, starting tonight! (09.02).

Brooklynite (via DC) Nick Hakim just ended an August residency at Baby’s All Right in support of his debut EP “Where Will We Go, Pt. 1.” The stunning collection hit New Yorkers hard, impressing local music fans with its heartbreaking sultriness and genuine soul. While the tracks are indisputably melancholic, they don’t drag – and this is a balance that is often hard to perfect. The fact that single’I Don’t Know’ (streaming) was included in a NPR playlist called ‘10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing‘ is certainly helping build the hype. Though the release was unveiled last month at the peak of summer, we have no doubt it will be the soundtrack for many this upcoming fall. As this particular release is deemed “Pt. 1,” we’re excited (and a bit impatient!) to see what Hakim has in store for Pt. 2. – Jillian Dooley

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

Forming in the basement of Keith’s parents house whilst the guys were still at school in New Jersey, Pine Barons (Keith Abrams, Brad Pulley, Shane Hower and Collin Smith) write tunes constructed of off beat rhythms underneath simple chord structures: the product is a sound reminiscent of Frank Turner or City and Colour. Last year they put out their seven track debut EP, a collection of rugged tracks from a group of like minded souls who see themselves as troubadours. ‘Carnival’ twinkles with electrics as it fuzzes, but this is probably the only track (together with lo-fi piece ‘Chamber Choir’) to veer off piste, even momentarily, from the record’s folk’n’roll vibe. Despite appearing to be buoyant and rhapsodic, the lyrics are not always so happy, the most pertinent and powerful perhaps being on ‘Smile America’ (‘the end told me that I don’t deserve to breath’) and the most radio friendly ‘Since I’ve Been Away’ (streaming): ‘it’s raining on my head sometimes I wish my head was dead.’ Bounding along with positive boisterousness, Pine Barons is perfect for intimate end of summer festivals when the sun is dipping and the rugs come out (although there are a heck of a lot of references to rain.) Folk with a hint of attitude; we like. – Francesca Baker

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

Just last week, Brooklyn-based electro-soul one man band AYER released his latest single “Fight Your Fire” (streaming) a midtempo track laced with Danny Schmittler’s smooth alto (borderline male soprano actually!). Schmittler has teamed up with various producers to craft a series of undeniably catchy soul-pop tunes pushed along by swift-moving synths and a steady beat reminiscent of the 70’s disco tracks we all know and love. While the AYER project may still be in its infancy, it’s already grabbing a lot of attention, and should maintain its momentum with a debut EP release scheduled for the winter. Be sure to catch him at Mercury Lounge on September 10th — the man has a great live energy and positive vibes all around. – Jillian Dooley

Keeping up what can only be described as an impressively relentless touring schedule, Brooklyn’s Dead Leaf Echo are taking a break of sorts to appear on television. You can catch the Premiere of Episode 4 of The B-Sides NYC Sessions featuring the Brooklyn dream pop quartet today (8/28) on NYC Life and anytime after that online here.

Filmed at Littlefield in Brooklyn, the hit cable show features interview by Host Kristen Korvette. Additionally, select music videos are presented that reflect the common sound and vision of our scene. Dead Leaf Echo then will continue their rigorous touring schedule which takes them through Pennsylvania, New York, Boston, Ohio, Milwaukee and Chicago before heading to the west coast for more dates. Their latest EP "true.deep.sleeper" has been getting rave reviews and the band has now begun work on their second full length album. The current 10" EP which is available now on Moon Sounds Records benefits from the sonic touches of Monte Vallier (Weekend, Wax Idols,) and mastering engineer Joe Lambert (Deerhunter, School of Seven Bells). Fellow New Yorkers can catch them live at Pianos on 9/3. – Dave Cromwell

Electro-horror NYC twin trio Wolvves – who blew our minds at our recent B.E.A.F. fest in June with a show at once sexy, edgy, grotesque and punchy – just unveiled this video for single ‘White on White’ (streaming below) that’s further proof of their uncommon talent for conjuring up musical and visual nightmares. Blending jungle with industrial, religious chants, and Hip Hop, the song takes goth atmospheres to a new level, enhanced by a video full of S&M and horror imagery that’s nothing short of stunning.

Here’s our yearly article focused on the health of the NYC scene, also called (very presidentially) The State Of the NYC Scene in 2014. It was published in print in The Deli’s Spring Issue 2014, enjoy!

The Deli’s Staff

Our current NYC artist of the month Dreamers just unveiled this new track called ‘My Little Match’ on Stereogum. The indie pop trio is building up momentum towards the release of their debut LP, "This Album Does Not Exist," set to drop on November 18, 2014.

Maggie Rogers is a quirky 20-something who considers her songs to be creatures and her banjo to be a trusty sidekick. Fueled by movement and loss, Maggie’s music seems to have grown up alongside her, each album more intricate and more sophisticated than the last. Perhaps the Maggie who self-released her debut “The Echo” back in 2012 was less acquainted with heartbreak, the art of profanity, and the “blood ballet” that relationships can often be. However, we’re happy for the life and for the learning between her first record and her latest— ‘Blood Ballet’ is a near-perfect articulation of full-bodied pain, and that pain makes for some lovely sounds. Read on to hear what the folk singer has to say about her inspirations, her experiences, and her latest release.

LINK: Jillian Dooley’s interview with Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers music is included in The Deli’s playlist of Best Rootsy songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!