We are a little late in highlighting ‘Deities,’ the new LP from the slightly nerdy rock-pop collective Chamber Band (released back in June), an album to be enjoyed in the warm weather. So dig your t-shirts out of the dresser, turn up the thermostat and close your eyes – it’s summer again (in your brain)! This the kind of indie rock made for those of us who like our music homespun, and as large as acoustic instruments can handle. From grand pianos to six-string guitars to loud choruses of very eager musicians, Chamber Band is non-stop fun, and all while Chris Littler confidently keeps his shirt tucked in.

The Brooklyn band has released the LP for free, so download it from their site and see them in February when they play at a Benefit Concert for Oxfam America at Knitting Factory. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Jarina De Marco’s sound might be hard to categorize, spanning from Brazilian and Dominican folk to modern jazz and hip hop, but one thing is for certain: her talent is unequivocal – check out the video below if you have any doubts in this regard. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Jarina got her big break at the age of 12 opening for the Fugees. Now, 16 years later, she’s based in Williamsburg, working hard to foster her music career.

Workout is that epic rock band that was bound to take the world back to where Queen and Meat Loaf left off – what you didn’t know is that that band was going to be a Brooklyn one! With vocals by hyperactive wildman Jack Killen, and a band that acts like the bastard lovechild of Mick Jagger and David Bowie, the quartet may have indeed brought their brawling rock n’ roll here to save us all. Join them for the release of their sophomore record ‘Rockit Science’ this evening at Rubber Tracks Studio (more info here), and get ready for the show by checking out their amazing, spaghetti western-themed rocker ‘If You Touch Me You Might As Well Kill Me’ below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

It’s always a good sign when a band sounds better live than on record, and it is undeniable that this rare circumstance happens more often with folky bands than with rocking ones. Jus Post Bellum (from Latin, "Justice after war") is a Folk band based in Brooklyn, influenced by artists such as Bon Iver and Bob Dylan. I’ve had their new album “Oh July” on repeat on Spotify for a while, and was bummed to miss their record release show at Rockwood last month, so I made sure to be at the following one last Tuesday on stage 2. Groomed in a very “Brooklyn folkster” style, Hannah (vocals) and Geoffrey (vocals and guitar) created beautifully intimate and sparse songs, enriched by precise and tasteful harmonies, while Daniel at the double bass added a subtle groove to the set with his parts and movements. This is an unpretentious band focused on moving its audience with good songs – if that’s your thing, check them out when you get a chance. – Anna Chalon

The female-fronted indie pop-punk quartet and Brooklyn’s own Chumped are another reminder that punk rock is witnessing a resurgence in NYC. The band released a self-titled debut EP in October that’s at once well-rounded, in-your-face, raw and catchy. The band takes heavy influence from punk rock legends Superchunk and riot grrrl bands from the 90s, but make that sound their own. As an added bonus, they don’t take themselves too seriously in a good, unpretentious way, and are very keen on supporting and promoting their friends active in other local Brooklyn bands, which is something we think all bands should do – believe it or not, it’s a key to succes! Check out their song “Union Square” from the new EP below via Bandcamp! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

Just in time for Friday the 13th (yes, we got this last Friday) comes the savage onslaught of Tiny Hazard, with some great advice: if you were ever dumb enough to believe a hot pixie chick couldn’t terrorize you… think again. For the band’s debut video ‘In A Little House,’ (taken from their debut self-titled record) singer Alena Spanger proceeds to ensure a drunken wandering fool doesn’t randomly find himself lost in the woods again. The track is at turns: either an intimate display of singer/songwriter showmanship, a full chorus chant on cultish display, or an ear-piercing noise fest. Watch the video below for yourself and see how it comes together in entirely unexpected ways. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

P.S. We don’t have a "Video of the Month" thing going on in this blog, but we liked this one so much we created it just for this circumstance.

Finally… something has come out of Brooklyn that isn’t drenched in miles of reverb. With Sursum Verbo, there’s no need to throw in all that extra fluff. Songs like ‘Let it Go’ and ‘Photo’ from their self-titled EP take a cue from The Pixies and Hole and delivery a straightforward power punk-pop that injects their poison exactly where it needs to go. Especially powerhouse singer Lisa Hahn, who leads the Brooklyn group with all the ferocity and mania you’d ever want from a post-punk trio. It’s a nice sonic excursion for anyone a bit over dream pop. Listen below, see them at legendary dive bar Otto’s Shrunken Head on December 21st. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Music and drugs have always gone hand-in-hand. Take marijuana, a substance that helped inspire everything from the reefer songs of 1930s and 1940s jazz, to the blunts ‘n’ beats of modern day hip hop. Cocaine birthed David Bowie’s mid-seventies Thin White Duke alter ego, and was a cornerstone of disco culture, while heroin gripped the lives, careers and creative output of artists right across the board, from Miles Davis and Jim Morrison to Kurt Cobain and Julian Casablancas. But few musical genres have been so interlinked with drug use than the vivid explosion of psychedelic rock that occurred in the late sixties and early seventies. Needless to say, dozens of bands loiter the dives of New York City, dedicated to keeping the spirit of ‘67 alive. Read Dean Van Nguyen’s feature about Psych Rock in the NYC scene.

This article appeared on The Deli NYC"s issue #36 (Fall 2013). Listen to a playlist of emerging Psych Rock and Dream Pop NYC bands here.

It’s time to get down with some “Bhangra Funk Dhol ‘n’ Brass!” This band of Brooklyn maestros is quickly shaking and rattling their way into everyone’s party playlists. From the Great Googa Mooga to NPR’s World Cafe, Red Baraat are being celebrated far and wide for churning out unstoppable maelstroms of rhythm and melody. This eight-piece leans heavily on Indian Bhangra flavor but adds elements of go-go, brass funk, and other eclectic world elements. Their three records are expertly produced and capture the many lush layers of instrumentation with fantastic energy and clarity. Check out redbaraat.com or, if you’re craving a funk fix, head out to Highline Ballroom on Friday night or Joe’s Pub on Saturday night!

Take some heavy guitar riffs and lace it with upbeat, raspy vocals that take you on a journey back to grunge rock’s early roots. That’s what the Brooklyn power trio Slonk Donkerson sounds like to us. These up-and-comers go hardcore without destroying the integrity of their catchy song composition. See them live at The Mercury Lounge on January 4th with other like minded NYC guitar rock bands. – LINK: Michael Haskoor’s interview with Slonk Donkerson.

Recording their upcoming debut album in a barn in Easton, CT, progressive bluegrass quintet Cricket Tell the Weather strives for an authentic whirlwind of strings and harmony that sounds like they’ve all been playing together for years already. Check them out when they light up Rockwood Music Hall this Sunday December 15 at 11 pm (but come early to see Avidya & The Kleshas at 9), check out instrumental track "Off Island Shuffle below, and watch their live video for ‘Rocky Mountain Skies’ here. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

We’ve been following Brooklyn trio Shy Hunters with interest for a couple of years, and it’s great to hear they are ready to release their debut album, scheduled for February 2014. The band plays an intense, edgy, and not overly sugary brand of dream pop, as you can hear from the preview single (link below), entitled "Echoes." You can see the band live at Matchless in Greenpoint on December 18.

LINKS: Shy Hunters: "Echoes"