We covered Brooklyn indie rock collective Landlady twice back in 2012, and after a rather uneventful 2013 (at least as far news or releases are concerned) the band announced in February to have joined Hometapes Records, home of Bear in Heaven and Megafaun among others. Led by busy man Adam Schatz (of Man Man and mastermind of Winter JazzFest), the group will be playing Glasslands tonight March 3rd with Zula, Friend Roulette and Star Rover, and then leave for a tour heading SXSW.

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

We’ll be honest: we’ve always had mixed feelings about classic rock revival bands. The genre though is being redeemed by the fact that almost every new band we hear these days is heavily referencing music of the past: psych rock, folk, soul, grunge and 80s disco revivals are all pretty hot right now, while the surf one seems to to have gone out of flavor. Because of this, bands playing classic rock feel more honest – and almost forward looking – than the ones chasing the latest trends, in particular when, like The Bushwick Hotel, they are good at what they do and can play in uncompromisingly ripping fashion. If on top of that you also get a well produced, super-sexy black and white video (for single ‘Graffiti of the Young Man’s Mind,’ streamiing), all reservations are wiped out: may the head banging begin! Check out the band’s newly released seven track album here, which will awaken the David Bowie fan in you.

If Brian Jones had spent some time kicking it with Fela Kuti, he might have come up with something like Honey Wild. Named after Beach Boys’ thirteenth studio album ‘Wild Honey,’ the group carves out a path between noodle-y West Coast hippy jams and Ivory Coast afro-pop. And their new ‘AA-side’ single "Garden/Magnifique Innocent" (what they used to call a double-side hit back in the ’60s) covers this ground perfectly. The quartet is playing Rough Trade on March 26 opening for In The Valley Below. Be there and check out some of the catchiest summer jams you’ll hear all winter. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

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

When bands come out of nowhere and drop a doozy for their first single, all eyes instantly turn in their direction (the 86k+ plays on Soundloud in ten days speak for themselves). We’re no exception. Mother has released one of the catchiest songs of this short year yet for their debut synth jam, ‘Easy.’ It’s a fog-fueled, intricately percussive, and harmonically-spiraling package of goodness. Industrial at times, beachy at others… it’s impossible not to want to hear more from these guys, but unfortunately there are no other tracks available, nor info about the band. Check it out below and we’ll keep you posted on there whereabouts of their live shows (if any). – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Psychedelia is often associated with big guitar parts, lots of reverb, and a sound that’s at once surreal and epic – I guess that’s the heritage left by bands like The Doors and Pink Floyd. But there’s a less grandiose, more playful and varied current of psychedelia, more interested in the bizarrely kaleidoscopic side of dreaming. Forged and explored in depth by The Beatles, it was rehashed most famously by Olivia Tremor Control at the turn of the millennium, and less famously (but brilliantly) by XTC with their side project The Dukes of Stratosphear in the mid 80s. This is the sonic ground were Brooklyn’s Cloud Becomes Your Hand draws inspiration, adding to the mix their penchant for crooked, almost jazzy melodies, which place them on similar songwriting terrain as other heavily experimental but gentle sounding NYC bands like Dirty Projectors and Celestial Shore (both past Deli Records of the Month). These elements make of "Rock of Cakes" a psych-pop album without pop melodies (therefore not really pop music) but nonetheless extremely imaginative and enjoyable. Stream the full album here and see the band live at Roulette on Sunday 03.02.

LINKS: John McGovern Interview with Cloud Becomes your Hand. 

NYC’s local quartet and hazy noise rockers Honduras have really been stepping it up lately, especially with their latest single “Borders” (streaming below). The 2012-founded band can be compared to a faster punk version of the Arctic Monkeys or a Deerhunter/Sex Pistols fusion. The Brit-sounding muffled vocals of Pat Phillips combined with the band’s knack for clean, well-tempered guitar work and percussion makes for a wild listen that will keep you looping their tracks. The band will be celebrating the release of EP ‘Morality Cuts’ tomorrow (03.01) with a show at Radio Bushwick, and then will travel south for a few SXSW showcases. – LINKS: Michael Haskoor’s interview with Honduras.

Read it digitally here.

P.S. 10k free copies of this issue hit the street of Austin during SXSW Music week!

Holden Jaffe began writing poetry in 2009, and soon after started using the moniker Del Water Gap for the musical interpretation of his words. His debut EP – created in a gentrified storage closet somewhere in upstate New York – was brought to life in 2012. Shortly after, Jaffe packed up and relocated to the East Village when he joined with bassist Will Evans and drummer Charlie Schlinkert to form the project’s live incarnation.

The band’s songs move patiently along with a combination of heartfelt lyrics, softly strum guitar, beautiful harmonies and a voice that sits somewhere between those of Kurt Vile, Alexander Ebert and Kristian Matsson (The Tallest Man on Earth). This beautiful compilation of songs tells moody stories of dimly lit rooms and various romantic encounters.

See Del Water Gap when they play Muchmore’s in Brooklyn on March 7th – Brescia Mascheretti

‘Stuck in New York City’ is the perfect title for the debut release by The Vansaders. A y’alternative sound that brings the stomp and holler attitude south of the mason-dixon up to the northeast. Indeed, these sounds seem lost in this city, but this provides an open road for an aural escape. With rock n’ roll and songwriting sensibility comparable to Deer Tick, The Vansaders are able to vary style enough to keep the party going. The title track ‘Stuck in New York City’ is poised to be an anthem for any good ole’ boy transplants, or even passers through; who end up getting stuck.

The Vandsaders are playing an acoustic show at Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ on March 6th and then an electric show in full formation at The Gutter in Brooklyn on March 22. – Joe Fish

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

If you’re looking for a powerful – and somewhat insane – Japanese/American contemporary rock and roll blend, you’ve come to the right place. Tokyo’s Ken Minami and Brooklyn’s Adam Amram make up the duo Ken South Rock (hard emphasis on the "rock" part). Their most popular song ‘Hold On,’ (video below), is an optimistic track that takes the loud/quiet/loud antics to the extreme. It’s about overcoming the challenges faced during their time witnessing the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The band’s energetic performances are something to be witnessed in person. They are currently on a massive national tour and will be playing a few showcases at SXSW this year from March 12th-14th. – Michael Haskoor

From the diminutive stature of lead singer Erica Lane, comes a huge voice leading an alt-country five-piece band. The Hunting Party’s new record ‘North’ reveals a penchant for the kind of intimate country-fried charm you might find in woodside bars out west, but transplanted to our parts to suit street-side tastes.

Turn up the EP and you’ll hear a constant tug and pull between the heartland in tracks like ‘North,’ and the urban jungle in heavy rockers like ‘Man of the Night.’ From the rustic sound of ‘Bobby’ to the epic rockness of closer ‘Poor Proud Fool,’ it’s a trip across America where I’m sure you’ll meet some interesting people. Check out ‘Bobby’ below, and keep an eye on their Facebook as they announce upcoming dates soon. – Mike Levine (Goldnuggets)