"Black House" leads off Brooklyn band Eraas‘ self-titled album with an under two-minute instrumental of sustained textures. The track starts out mysteriously pensive, but ultimately transforms to a more dark and foreboding mood. This unsettling feeling is a theme that runs throughout Eraas’ entire repertoire. Vocals are delivered in hushed cadences. The rise and ebb of percussive pulses and sustained sound washes create tension and anticipation. The band just left Brooklyn for an extensive North American tour with French like-minded electro-goth veterans Trust. Dave Cromwell asked them a few questions before their departure here. Check out also their suspenseful video for Ghost, treaming below.

New York’s Generator Ohm have been generating quite the buzz with their 2012 debut album, Upon the Me Om I. Not as relaxed as "ohm" might indicate (wait… that’s NOT a reference to meditation you say?), the band melts grunge heaviness and progressive intricacies and drives the energy to a punky, frenzied state. In twelve tracks, Generator Ohm, made up of Willie Chen (guitar, bass, vocals), Ernest D’Amaso (guitar, bass and vocals), Mike Morales (drums), Stephen A. Woodzell (guitar, keys) showcase their adrenalized style. – Read Meijin Bruttomesso’s interview with the band here.

Having uprooted from Maine and made their way west to San Francisco (a city the band call “a place full of creativity”), Guy Fox have been unveiling their own brand of vivid indie pop to a new audience of receptive Californians. Powered by tidy guitar lines and pretty piano chords, the band’s lush and joyous arrangements are punctuated by trumpets, trombones plus other assorted treats. See them at Rickshaw Shop with Ash Reiter, tonight (02.22) – Dean Van Nguyen

We had the opportunity to enjoy Celestial Shore‘s geeky pop madness live when they opened for Ava Luna during the launch party of our Winter 2012 issue about one year ago. The band operates along disorientating lines, juxtaposing gorgeous harmonies reminiscent of The Beach Boys’ "Pet Sounds" to inconceivable bursts of baroque math-prog madness. The streaming single "Valerie" – from the band upcoming album, to be released in April – is yet another example of this band’s quirky talent, and almost matches their masterpiece track, "Pals" – hopefully also to be included in the upcoming release. Celestial Shores’ quirky pop – as long as the crazyness doesn’t get out of hand – is one of the best new expression of a fun avant-pop genre that has been flourishing among nonconfirmist college students since the late 80s, and that has in Ween, They Might Be Giants and Beck its most illustrious predecessors. Don’t miss their show at 285 Kent on February 24.

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

Picking up where Elton John left off, Loren Benjamin is re-tooling the piano as the melodic lead is was meant to be. From covering ‘Human’ (The Killers) to a huge reception at this year’s CMJ Fest, the 23 year old is set to take off. And you have to respect any man trying to write our generation’s ‘Tiny Dancer.’

Currently recording his debut album under the direction of Grammy award-winning producer Steve Jordan, expect the piano man to come out swinging when he releases his full-length this Spring, and check out his performance last month from Highline Ballroom here. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Ah… defenestration. There’s nothing like it! Actually, I had to look this one up. It seems it’s the act of throwing someone out the window – it often applies to kings or other people in power. For Modern Rivals‘ latest, ‘Sea Legs EP,’ this is exactly what seems to be on ultra-literate singer Erick Lee’s mind these days. The record mixes these intrigues with groove-backed confetti and lots of charm. See the sun-soaked quintet when they play Pianos on March 6. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

You might remember Brooklyn-based Kendall Meade from Sparklehorse and Mascott, and Anders Parker from Varnaline as well as the Woody Guthrie project New Multitudes. The two are now band mates in Anders & Kendall, a new, rather mellow, and tastefully produced rootsy pop effort. The band just released their debut album "Wild Chorus" with a free show at Rockwood Music Hall on February 24.  Check out the video of single "We’re on Fire."

DC/NYC based powerpop band Alex Vans has just put out their official video for their new single "Chase the Night." The song, which powerpopaholic calls "a mixing of old influences skillfully into something fresh" is a three minute whirlwind narrating a night of debauchery and music in a Bushwick loft. It debuted live at Pianos on the lower east side a few weeks ago to a packed house and can now be found on youtube and alexvansmusic.com. See Alex Vans live at Spike Hill on February 22. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.

Marial Maher (aka Seasick Mama) wants you to abandon your tedious nine to five. You know you’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and the parading progression of gorgeous (possibly unemployed) women doing dangerous and fun things in various non-office settings should probably seal the deal.

Taken from the brand new debut EP "Dead Like Money," in the video for "Quit Your Job" the trio picks up from where Florence and the Machine’s powerful torrents left off, and beats the hell out of complacency in a churning vision that gets you to know these ladies a lot more intimately (oh, there are some boys too in the mix by the way, we just noticed). From smoke-filled backrooms to Bourbon Street, Seasick Mama crashes parties across America. I guess that’s what you get to do when you quit your job. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This song is included in The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Blogosphere sweethearts Caveman have seen quite the buzz since the 2011 release of debut Coco Beware – the band was featured on the cover of our Summer 2011 NYC issue. After that, the indie psych popsters toured with The War on Drugs, won The Deli’s 2011 “Best of Emerging Artists” poll, and in 2012, Fat Possum re-released the celebrated album. 2013 means big things as well; Caveman is preparing to release self-titled album on 4/2. The quintet will kick off a headlining tour including dates at SXSW and Webster Hall later this month. Don’t miss the gorgeous, expansive harmonies and synth-induced heights of first single “In the City.” – Corinne Bagish

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

When I listen to Junior Prom’s ecstatic dance pop, I can’t help but think of some of DFA’s legion of floor-stomping, synth-backed artists last decade. Channeling sounds familiar to fans of !!! and Juan MacLean, fans will recognize the stomp behind tracks like ‘Sheila Put The Knife Down.’ This is violent imagery suitable for killing idols of all sorts. And you’ll have the perfect opportunity to do so when the Brooklyn duo plays Mercury Lounge tonight (02.19). – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC electronic artists here.

Shoegazing NYC art collective Dead Leaf Echo has just finished recording their debut LP "Thought & Language," which is obviously inspired to the sound and visuals of legendary British label 4AD – since it was mixed by John Fryer (Cocteau Twins, Lush) and the artwork is by Vaughan Oliver (Pixies, Bauhaus). The album is scheduled for release on March 5th of 2013 via Neon Sigh. A 7" single will precede in February. Don’t miss the stunning new video of the song "Kingmak" (below), and the CD release party at Mercury Lounge on February 27.