Many people criticize books when they’re made into movies, complaining about parts missing or misrepresented when shown through a projector lens. When books are made into song however, the translation seems to work a whole lot better or at least it does when placed in the sure hands of Brooklyn singer/songwriter Casey Holford, whose latest EP ‘Made of Words‘ finds inspiration from literature including ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Slaughterhouse Five.’ The songs are both universally catchy and deeply personal folk gems, all told in a baritone deeply interested in pouring new meaning into the idea of ‘audio books.’ Check out his adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’ below in EP opener ‘Five Plus One,’ and see him when he plays this Wednesday, June 25th at Barbes. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

From what we can hear online, Saddle Brook, NJ rockers Livewires are a tough band to pin down. Single ‘Young Prayer‘ blends the blue power and sonic attack of pre-punk heroes The Stooges with some good old rock’n’roll guitar riff a la’ Chuck Berry. But ‘The Weight I’m Feeling‘ (streaming) paints a completely different picture, flirting with the poppier and more laid back side of the 60s. Either way, this sounds like summer music – play the driven tracks while you’re dripping with sweat on your skateboard, risking your life in the middle of the NYC traffic, and tune in to the slower songs to recharge your battery for the next life threatening adventure. The quartet is set to release their debut album called ‘Onfim Goes To War’ on July 1st. You can also catch them live at Arlene’s Grocery on 6/28 and Shea Stadium on 8/4. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

Christina Cone, Andrew Doherty, and Jeff Malinowsy (aka Frances Cone, a band we booked at SXSW in 2013) create ephemeral and yet poignant music that will leave you in a wonder. The Brooklyn based trio’s newly released self-titled EP is dreamy and tender, landing in a musical territory shared by other mellow pop female fronted artists with orchestral inclinations like Frou Frou and A Fine Frenzy. It’s perfect music for a fantastical and ambitious summer, check out the EP’s opener ‘JUNE.’ If you dig it, mark your calendars: live at Rough Trade on July 23. – Rebecca Blandon

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

Self-described slimegaze practitioners Total Slacker may nod to early Weezer with their loose and dirty pop, and Sonic Youth with the tense and dissonant guitar work, but singer/songwriter Tucker Rountree bakes his own kind of fuzzy bud into his Fender, keeping the party moving way past Y2K.  We asked the band a few questions related to recording… read it here. 

Brooklyn psych-rockers Baked – who recently toured with Titus Andronicus – present their official lead single “Don’t Trip” as a teaser for the full-length album “Debt,” scheduled for an August release. The track emerges via a slow, languid pace, as casual pitch-bended guitar chords meander over loose, live-sounding drums. Boy/girl tandem vocals tell a tale of how “It’s a second coming Christ, and the kids they are screaming.” A well placed minor chord throughout the verse cycle holds the listeners interest by avoiding predicable sonic patterns. The whole thing is capped off with nearly a minute of extended coda stuffed with early 70s era guitar textures reminiscent of Pink Floyd at their most psychedelic. Imagine Dean Wareham & Galaxie 500 having a taco with Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks on a sun-drenched afternoon. If you’d like to get even more “baked,” head over to their Bandcamp and pre-order the album. – Dave Cromwell

In the name of all combinations, fusions, mixtures and meldings: long live Nikhil P. Yerawadekar and Low Mentality. We am so happy that we came across this band when we did because now we have something to look forward to this summer besides having my wisdom teeth removed. Nikhil P. Yerawadekar is a multi-instrumentalist who comes from an afro-beat background; his fusion of slow-dub music and catchy indie-pop riffs provide a remarkably smooth and textured atmosphere. we have yet to catch a live performance of the band, but the video for their track “Run Fast” (mp3 streaming below) has got us itching to see them on the stage. Definitely stay posted for their upcoming debut record. – Jake Saunders

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

"All hail the one that got away" is the first memorable line that greets us from the first track off Tuff Sunshine’s album, ‘Kids Know.’ That declaration sets the stage for the Brooklyn based band, because they really do seem to be the band that got away. Hopefully not for long though: their sound exists in a place where the slacker rock of the 90’s meets the blues rock of the 60s, with the added benefit of sophisticated harmonies, catchy jams galore, and a wise use of everybody’s favorite percussion: the cowbell. You can catch these guys at the Glasslands Gallery on July 27th. – Jake Saunders

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Long Island based electro prog-pop duo Sno Moon is Paul Jordan Talbot, on vocals and guitar, and up-and-coming beat-maker Brooke Vetesse. Although the two describe themselves as “curly-haired uglies that watch too much Star Wars,” we can assure you that PJ Talbot is a quite pleasant young fellow (he was a Deli intern), and Brooke looks also alright to us (this being said, curly hair and Star War obsession are inexcusable). Despite their low self-esteem, the duo offers a sound that’s pleasing to the ear thanks to Paul’s soulful vocals and the overall mellow and soft tones. We enjoyed “Heart Shaped Lights,” the most upbeat and bizarre track on the debut self-titled album, but the real gem here is “Shine On” (streaming,) which features a catchy melody immersed in a super chilled vibe with Beach Boys-style vocal harmonies and an ending The Beatles would be proud of. You can see them live when they open for Skyes and Wishes & Thieves next Thursday, June 26th, at Radio Bushwick. – Sammie Spector

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Salt Cathedral, an electronic band with airy world overtones we’ve been following since its inception, just released this new single entitled ‘Tease,’ which will be featured in the band’s upcoming release, scheduled for later in 2014. The band will be playing at the Bowery Ballroom tomorrow supporting Young and Sick. – photo by Sasha Vu

Stylish as only Europeans can be (Nikolaj Hess hails from Denmark), Hess Is More could be described as the Monet of electro. His light touch is almost transparent, the aural balance of colors transcends wisdom, and the simplicity of his music is only apparent. He also doesn’t lack a good amount of irony, as testified by his 2011 breakout single "Yes Boss," where a ridiculously ambiguous conversation between male employer and female employee is given the Hess treatment. Don’t miss the live shows with full orchestra – probably NOT tonight’s one, in tiny but legendary Alphabet city night club Nublu (also home to an electro record label that gave us Brazilian Girls among others), which is turning 12. Streaming below latest single ‘Wheel of Fortune.’

Bloody musicians… you can’t take your ears off them for a minute that they change their band’s name and move to a different city without telling ya! This is the case for now Brooklyn based artist Arum Rae, a project known in its Austin incarnation as White Dress. The debut EP under the new moniker, realeased earlier this year, is titled after the beautiful single ‘Warranted Queen’ (streaming), which sounds a little like a modern version of ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ sung by a lady. Now it doesn’t get more NYC than that, does it? We were rooting for a sax solo at the end of the tune! The other tracks on the record reveal a more electronic and soulful musical attitude, which solidly places Arum Rae in the new wave of quirky caucasian artists experimenting with soul influences. Look out for a full length out later this year, and a show at Brooklyn Bazaar on July 12.

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

Tomorrow Manican Party – a band we booked for our 2013 Best of NYC Fest’s electronic night – will be celebrating the release of their new EP ‘The District’ with a show at Baby’s All Right, which seems to have become the venue where everybody wants to have their release parties (admittedly, that wall of lights behind the stage is awe inspiring). The single from the EP (whose video is streaming below) has already gathered a fair amount of plays on Soundcloud and Youtube, and showcases the band’s melodic and percussive sound, led by Jess Corazza’s bright and present vocals.