This Saturday, March 8th Brooklyn based rockers with Michigan ties Not Blood, Paint will take the stage at Radio Buswhick with full creative control. If you’re one of the initiated, then you know this means something special. If not get ready to make the trek just-off the Jefferson L stop to drink the Kool-Aid and join the party. Part spectacle, quasi-vaudeville, semi-spirtual and chock full of talent, these guys have become masters of harnessing their own breed of magic in their music and live shows.

There’s plenty of videos and tracks online to familiarize yourself with NBP’s genre hopping, avant-art rock epics. Since ‘Time to Deliver’ has been available, we’ve been invited ever deeper into this creative vastness. From the start, "Heartbeat" carries you through an operatic roller-coaster ride of a song with a swinging pendulum rhythm that eventually reaches the throat. The final (and title) track "Time to Deliver", carries the same pivot and roll stylistic techniques those familiar with the group have almost begun to expect. The payoffs come in an angelic-like ascension ever higher into a dreamy infinite world that seems like it may never end… that is, until the final lyric "Time to Deliver" ends the 5 track release, bringing you quickly back to reality.

If you’re into their brand of a-typical neo-prog-beyond classification style of music, then the live show is where you’ll see Not Blood Paint be truly omnipresent. The "New Suit Methodology" they bring with them to every show is truly something to behold, and is often talked about after the final curtain call. And since this is their first "90 minute to 2 hours set," who knows what they have in store. Not to mention: Monogold and Miniboone are the opening acts and worth the ten dollar admission on their own. See you there! – Joey Fish @Squidterm

Lucius is a band we’ve been cuddling with coverage since the very beginning – they landed on the cover of our Best NYC issue back in 2012. Their long awaited debut album ‘Wildewoman’ came out in 2013, and it’s going to be released internationally in March, right after the band’s multiple appearance at SXSW. The band just unveiled this stunning video for single "Turn It Around."

After the recent international events, Russia’s image would definitely benefit from anything hipper than invading a neighboring country (while pretending it didn’t happen). In this context, a new song by Russia-born, NYC based avant-indie composer/producer Olga Bell is just what the doctor ordered. The musician announced her sophomore album ‘Krai’ scheduled for an April release, inspired by the lesser-known corners of her homeland and written entirely in her native Russian.
Now… we are not very familiar with Russian music, but if it’s anything like this song… maybe it’s time to delve into it!
Check out single ‘PERM KRAI / ПЕРМСКИЙ КРАЙ’ – (‘Once upon a time, on the river’), streaming below. Translated lyrics here.

As far as new wave rappers go, most of the MCs who attempt to push the envelope end up getting lost in the mail bag. Musician / Designer / Developer After The Smoke (who recently relocated to NYC from FL, and made it at #43 in our 2013 poll for Emerging NYC Artists) might as well be FedEx. From the hoppin, bouncin, jumpin electro smooth beats to his characteristic buttery croon, ATS’ music is magnetic and visionary. Somewhere between Andre 3000 and Frank Ocean with a little Shabazz Palaces for flavor you’ll find ATS ironing out the wrinkles in his niche. His album Microwaves is a free download on afterthesmoke.com right now. It will go great with that bowl you just packed. And when the smoke clears, you can listen again. – BrokeMc

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

The Actress Not The Character is an electronic instrumental project from San Francisco, which released a new 7-track album on Bandcamp a few days ago. Their music is textured, with a ambient and rather "delicate" industrial influences – i.e. think about noises made by small machines rather than by Ministry or NIN. These guys aren’t afraid to tense sounding atmospheres, but always in a textural, not too loud fashion. Listen to album opener Monster/Not a Monster below

This Saturday, The Montauk Project is having one last local hurrah at the Mid-Week Beach Party at LI’s The Stephen Talkhouse, before heading down to SXSW, where many more hurrahs are waiting. The NYC psych rock group is having a big month with their debut album, ‘Belly of the Beast’ set to release on March 25th. Preview single ‘Lady in White’ (streaming) showcases a strenghtening of the blues rock component. The official release party will be on March 29th at 10 p.m. at Pianos. – Christine Cuathen

NYC’s self described "Street Metal" thrashers IKILLYA are getting set to release their sophomore album ‘Vae Victis’ in April, a record that explodes from your speakers with relentless fury – considering it was produced by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God/Hatebreed) this comes as no surprise. For the past 8 years, the band has been honing their craft in some of our favorite local haunts like Trash Bar and St. Vitus. Having recently been signed to Megaforce records indicates that Brooklyn’s metal scene is getting some worldwide respect once again.

‘Vae Victis’ is slated for global release on April 29th, check out the video for the title track ‘Vae Victis’ below. – Joey Fish @squidterm 

NYC’s electro-pop duo Ghost Beach has been gathering new fans at an enviable rate in the last couple of years – that can happen when you play well craftet, super-catchy, 80s inspired dance pop with epic overtones. Tonight the band celebrates the release of their debut album "BLONDE" at Williamsburg hipsters’ favorite new venue Baby’s All Right, after which they’ll be busy with a SXSW appearance and a following April US tour . Check out also wildly psychedelic opening act Fascinator, also from NYC.

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

Brooklyn’s semi-lunatic, cheese defier, art rock band Workout is playing Manhattan gay travern Stonewall Inn this Thursday March 6, and to make sure nobody has any excuses to miss this show they are organizing a party bus that picks up ANYBODY who will show up at Williamsburg’s Bar BIA 67 between 7 and 9 pm (multiple rides, folks!). During the trip, passengers will be offered complimentary beer (and music), which will surely help put them in the proper mood to make the Stonewall show one to remember. Check out the band’s recent video for single "Life is a Nightmare," featuring Cher – or something that looks a lot like her.

The Brooklyn-based art punk duo Cinema Cinema brings you the quirky punk rock that you so desperately crave – or do you? These proudly D.I.Y. musicians just finished recording their latest full length with producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans, John Zorn) to be released this summer after extensive touring to start in May. Check out their track below titled "UFO” from their 2012 album ‘Manic Children And The Slow Aggression.’ The band is collaborating with different special guests each Tuesday in March, in Williamsburg Brooklyn at Passenger Bar. CC (& guests) will be live-scoring films by Sergei Eisenstein and other classics as part of the residency. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

Carrying a torch for the impossibly forward-thinking Kate Bush, Brooklyn/Berlin duo Take Berlin have recorded a cover of ‘The Fog’ – a song filled with mystery and romance – for their latest video. The group’s breezy, acoustic guitar based arrangement has a slow-moving, wistful Bossanova feel to it that’ll propel you to some far-off destination…. perhaps not Germany.

Along with their latest EP ‘Lionize,’ they’ve been charting new territory recently, which is saying a lot considering how well-traveled they already are. Watch ‘The Fog’ below and join them when they play Tue, March 4th at Rock Shop. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Coming up with a fun, original and memorable band name is – in a word – torture (been there, failed at that many times). 1-800-BAND is not just all of the above, it’s… a genius idea for a band name! Also because it perfectly fits the Brooklyn quartet’s slightly synthetic retro-pop, reminiscent of the Cars and other bands that were in vogue at a time when the good old land line phone was still inspiring hit songs (think Blondie). The band will be releasing their debut EP in April on Almost Ready Records (home to Liquor Store, Nobunny, Atlantic Thrills, etc), check out the title track ‘Diver Blue,’ streaming below.