This article focused on the parallel stories of the Afrobeat genre and the NYC sound was published in the Summer 2012 issue of The Deli (you can read it in pdf here). You can now enjoy it online here. – Article by Mike Levine, Art by JP Peer.

The members of Florida duo Blonds first set up shop in New York to work on the follow-up to their 2011 EP Dark Roots, putting the finishing touches on their full-length album The Bad Ones earlier this year. The Bad Ones was released in August and highlights the band’s dramatic, lovesick lyrics with Rae’s unforgettable, soulful vocals. Recently their single "Time" was aired on an episode of MTV’s "Underemployed."

Devon Antonetti asked the couple leading the band a few questions here.

Known for their elegantly delicate tunes flirting with contemporary music influences, talented New Yorkers Christy & Emily announced the release a new album entitled "Tic Tac Toe" (out in January) which reveals two new band members, and a few tunes featuring a more "rock" approach to songwriting. We are favoriably impressed with the new songs which can be streamed on their website. Quiet numbers haven’t disappeared from the new record, but the presence of faster tracks makes for a more entertaining listening experience. Check out "Bells" streaming below.

Brooms dabble in and out of musical worlds that flirt with sonic invention while exploring domestic dramas like cleaning a girlfriend’s shower and dealing with messy cats. Indeed, this is the stuff of life, and as singer-songwriters like Randy Newman have done before, the duo of Matt Cascella and Brett Crudgington are sweeping it all into their inviting and lush soundscapes.

The video (streaming below) for first single ‘Barracuda Belly’ (directed by Brett Haley) features young lovers awkwardly exploring the mess of new relationships against Coney Island’s backdrop. Taken from debut record ‘In the Backyard,’ it’s filled with embarrassing reminders of how difficult it is to manage butterflies (or in this case barraacudas) while hanging out with a new lady and attempting to eat ice cream at the same time. See the video below, and check out the band when they play at Sycamore Bar on Dec 15th. Check out also the other single "Balding," below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Brooms (Music Video) – Barracuda Belly from Brett Haley on Vimeo.

Johanna Cranitch doesn’t sacrifice vulnerability for power. Crashing in to a party usually consisting of tumbling drum fills and keyboards that scream out sine waves at every turn, Johanna stands tall. For her new video ‘Lover’s Dream’ (streaming below), she does all this while covered in daubs of running paint. With band in tow, Johanna and the Dusty Floor cleans house in a song sure to haunt your dreams well after Johanna’s gaze leaves your browser window. Check out the new video below, and see her when she plays tonight, Thursday, Dec 13, at Bar Matchless at 8pm.- Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

It’s always interesting to see what great backing musicians and songwriters are able to do once they’ve decided to take the reins to their own project in hand, and start baking their own jams. 23 year old Yale composition graduate Ellis Ludwig-Leone couldn’t come better equipped for the adventure. Coming off work for Nico Muhly, through whom he has assisted on arrangements for musicians like Sufjan Stevens, his group San Fermin includes these symphonic influences and more.

Oh.. and he just happens to have enlisted the ladies from Lucius to help out, who if you don’t know yet, may have the strongest voices of anyone in Brooklyn. Leading new single ‘Sonsick,’ off the upcoming self-titled debut, enlists Jess and Holly to take the song through the roof. Make no mistake. This is some big stuff right here. While the song begins simply enough, once the hook comes in, you should be prepared to get carried away. San Fermin’s about as ambitious as I would hope for such a young songwriter, and I’m excited to see them when they play 92YTribeca next month on Jan 19th with Anais Kane. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC songwriters and roots music bands here.

Starnes&Shah are two ladies who hail from diverse backgrounds but come together to create dual harmonies and guitar and keyboard-driven alt-pop. Guitarist Dania Abu-Shaheen, originally from Lebanon and keyboardist Zilpha Starnes, who was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, settled in New York, releasing their third full-length record, “Red Brick Tide” since their formation in 2005. The duo – who can boast slmody 10k Facebook likes – recently released a video for album half-way point, “Lucinda,”  which serves as a soundtrack to a variety of individuals enduring suburban life. The two front-women will be performing their last show of 2012 on Saturday, December 15 at Arlene’s Grocery but will be venturing on in the new year with new material and shows to follow.  –Meijin Bruttomesso

John Jagos (a/k/a Brothertiger) is a recent Brooklyn transplant from Athens, OH, where he wrought perfectly connived and joyfully-rendered electropop that drifts from yours speakers like a feather in the wind. “Bossa” is the latest Brothertiger offering, a sexy lo-fi synthpop number that evokes the joy of wanderlust whilst recalling the obtuse electro sound of Washed Out. Though not as fun as last year’s “Be Yourself,” hopefully “Bossa” is just a taste of what Jagos will do now that he’s landed in Hipsterville. See him live at Bowery Electric on December 20 with New Jersey electronica masters Teeel. – Brian Chidester

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

Sinkane is the creative force behind many exciting releases by Brooklyn bands who are flirting with Afrobeat. If you listen to Yeasayer at all, chances are you’ve already heard Ahmed Gallab’s distinct vocal and drumming feel. The Sudanese export (now home in New York) nods to many of the high life flavors of his past, while stretching his muse to the future by collaborating with many of our local trendsetters. From Twin Shadow, to James Murphy, Sinkane doesn’t just have his finger on the pulse, he is the man behind much of Brooklyn’s Ivory Coast obsessions. Now he’s set out on his own journey, and has carried his international roots over to his exciting second album, ‘Mars.’ His journey comes together in new single ‘Runnin’ (streaming below) where he brings a consciousness to the Sudanese people that’s desperately needed. See him when he plays – with band – at Music Hall of Williamsburg tomorrow night (12.13) with !!! – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

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

Indie folk-pop seems like too simple a categorization for a band like Landlady, even though that is the core of their sound, which is slightly reminiscent of Luke Temple’s rather obscure but beautiful debut album, before he started Here We Go Magic. Adam Schatz, the Brooklyn based lead singer/songwriter for this six-piece pop collective, pulls the talent he needs from a pool of 11 musicians, all of whom have the chance to sing and have their turn at different instruments. Their newest single “Above my Ground” (streaming below) exemplifies their mid-tempo, lo-fi take on the genre. The song slowly builds on meandering guitars and languid backup vocals, spiraling to a noisy climax that quickly dissolves on the songs consistently steady drum line. This pop is not to be taken lightly. – Lucy Sherman

The Blakes released album "Art of Losses" this summer, which blends dreamy pop, electro-tinged rock, moody post-punk and lo-fi guitars mixed with big harmonies. They are now unveiling the video for “Narwhal, the first clip from their recent album, Art of Losses, check it out here – video-less song streaming below.

There aren’t many front ladies (or gentlemen, for that matter) as convincing and seducing on stage as Stephonik Youth, who sings and looks a little like a reinvention of those intriguingly dark pop stars of the 80s – from Robert Smith to Siouxie. The Deli featured and booked her electro-rock band Living Days several times a couple of years ago, and we are excited to hear they will be back with a new record in early 2013. As an appetizer to the full release, the band just unveiled a video on IFC of their cover of Pete Townshend’s "Let My Love Open the Door" (the song is also streaming below). The sound seems more electro than the previous material, check out other tracks here.

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