Her precise pair of vocal chords and one looping machine is all Brooklynite Julia Easterlin needs to surround a stage. During her live shows, she deconstructs the process and builds layers slowly – the performance is part learning experience, part live recording process. Julia brought her brand of vocal-led experimentation to the TEDx Women conference, audiences in Cuba and the Dominican Republic and a few major festivals. She recently released a new EP entitled ‘vestiges’ that cristallizes her unique songwriting process – and talent. – LINK: Bianca Seidman’s interview with Julia Easterlin.

A band’s recordings have a better chance of sounding good when two of the five members are accomplished studio engineers. Such is the case for the Brooklyn based 5 piece Truest. New single “The Machine” sparkles with a sonic shimmer wrapped around cleanly defined instrumental separation. A tour-de-force of (David Bowie-sque) vocal hooks, percussive undercurrents, guitar breaks and unique keyboard textures all fit seamlessly together. “Independence Day” weaves an initially gentle and seductive approach before a passionate vocal performance provides gravitas to song composer Elliott Smith’s thought-provoking lyrics. Previous single "Cities" (released in September) features an inventive and textured arrangement that builds up to a larger than life chorus. Cited influences like Wilco, Here We Go Magic, The Flaming Lips and Radiohead are certainly apparent, underscoring the band’s inclination for a sophisticated pop sound. The band will be celebrating the release of debut album ‘Lush’ at Pianos on December 13. – Dave Cromwell

Formed in Ohio when they were still in college, indie folk band Poor Remy plays songs influenced by Mac Demarco, Angel Olsen and Radiohead. After graduating, founding trio Andrew, Adrian and Kenneth moved to New York where they share an apartment in Queens. I managed to squeeze in to their super packed EP release show at Rockwood a few weeks ago and (barely) see the faces behind the harmonica solos, the violin fiddling, the banjo parts and the voices. In a 45 minutes set they made the crowd go through a variety of emotions, enriched by a sincere and passionate delivery. Extremely comfortable on stage, they nailed harmonies and distributed smiles, which is kind of crucial since their lyrics often describe a feeling of loss and desperation. Check out the video for "Ghost" below, and keep an eye on their live schedule. – Anna Chalon

Brooklyn’s raggedy indie-rockers Haybaby are great for rocking out to, but their songs are also very catchy and tense at once, in a way that’s at times vaguely reminiscent of The Breeders or, depending on the song, Pavement. The lively trio offers a refreshing alternative yet punk/thrash sound, something that molds the techniques we’ve all heard before into something new and exciting. Leslie Hong’s adorable female vocals pair nicely with Zach & Sam’s counterparts. They just released a noteweorthy 4-track EP titled SUPERPRESENT in October, which you can listen to below via Bandcamp, and they’re set to play The Grand Victory on Friday 12.06 as part of a stacked lineup including Low Fat Getting High, Hunktronik & Jangula. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

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

When we heard The Guggenheim Grotto changed their name to Storyman, we wasn’t expecting much more than that, a new set of clothes on a well-worn groove. But the Brooklyn-by-Ireland alt pop group has done far more than updating monikers. The songwriting duo of Kevin May and Mick Lynch has expanded from their coffeehouse roots to include a huge landscape filled with abstract imagery and moving lyrics. It’s quite a stylistic shift, and is captured well by producer Chris Kuffner for the band’s just-released debut ‘This Time Around.’ Check out the video for first single ‘Coming Home’ below to see the duo decorate the city with word bubbles held up by a cast of tourists and oddities you’ll only find in New York. See Storyman Live tomorrow (12.06 at Webster Hall. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Former Deli NYC artist of the month Seasick Mama has been hard at work in 2013, releasing a new EP entitled "Tip Top Shaped" in early November, shooting and unveiling a remarkable video in the Dominican Republic (streaming below), and booking a series of shows and interviews (including this one).

Front lady/model Marial Eve Moon will perform with her band Santos Party House tonight (12.05).

With a band this catchy, it’s fairly remarkable that Antigone Rising aren’t already a household name. After all, no less than Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 co-wrote the leading single (‘Don’t Look Back’) from their 2005 debut ‘From the Ground Up.’ The all-female country-rock quartet seems tailor-made to deliver their simple message of hard living, hot line-dancing, and very catchy crooning – is this really a NYC band?

See the ladies get themselves into a bit of trouble in the video to their latest single ‘That Was the Whiskey’ below, and watch them when they take the stage at Rockwood Music Hall next Thursday, December 12th for the ladies’ unique Christmas Twist Concert – check out their latest Christmas inspired single ‘Santa, You Owe Me’ here. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Here’s a Deli show that should not be missed!

WHAT:
The Deli Presents… an electro night at Brooklyn Bazaar!
WHERE: 
165 Banker St., Brooklyn (Greenpoint)
WHO:
10.15: Small Black
9.30: Twintapes
8.00: Brothertiger
7.00: Lip Talk

Check out Zula‘s new video for the single Twin Loss below.

Baked’s sound is like second hand smoke lingering in the air – the good kind. The 4 track ‘S/T Cassette’ takes us to the days of back seat blazing with a chill stoner vibe that itches to chase Steve Malkmus as much as it teases the manic changes of Foxygen – or Syd Barret’s beautifully disconnected melodies. They give off a very comforting laid back vibe, giving the impression to understand themselves more than they know. Their music is an effortless experience, like that scent coming from your neighbors apartment late at night that you really don’t mind. See them live on 12.05 at Shea Stadium for the second Big Snow Buffalo Lodge farewell party with Porches, Krill, Lost Boy?, Lvlup and Bueno. – Joey Fish

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

Nasimiyu’s latest single ‘Raise Your Arrow (The Hunt)’ comes out swinging at the fences in a tireless groove pointed sharply at its kill. Taken from her upcoming EP ‘dirt’ to be released on January 24, the track shows off the singer’s huge range and bottomless well of whoops and hollers to keep you on your toes.

You may be afraid to find yourself in Nasimiyu’s huntman-like sights, but being in the direction of her voice is electrifying. Listen below to ‘Raise Your Arrow’ and find out why. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Porches‘ lead singer Ronnie Mystery may be pleading for some personal space when he sings "pay no attention while I’m getting spaced out" in ‘The Cosmos‘ (the closing track of the band’s recent LP "Slow Dance in the Cosmos") but we couldn’t disagree with him more. Having just listened one time through to the new record we are only just beginning to crack the beautifully intricate mythology behind this mysterious and multifaceted album. We are hoping the band will treat us with other similar releases for awhile, or we might never fully appreciate the number of sounds and visions they’re working with.

With ragers like ‘Skinny Trees’ packed next to breathless ballads like ‘Franklin the Flirt’ and the prom-ready ‘Intimate,’ this group keeps you guessing even while you find yourself jumping up and down. It’s folk whimsy with a rebel’s frustration and a yacht rocker’s heart. You might listen to the track ‘Xanny Bar’ and be convinced Ronny wanders into railroad boxcars to entertain hobos on his free time, then come back to ‘After Glow’ and be convinced he’s the second coming of Phil Collins. This record is a huge leap ahead for the band, and we are looking forward to hitching a ride up to New Paltz tonight to see them when they play at Oasis Cafe. If that’s too far for you, they have 3 shows scheduled in NYC in the near future (list here on the top right). Listen below to ‘Headsgiving.’ – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)