Brooklyn based, gritty pop duo (sometimes trio) Slam Donahue last night released their new EP "Hemlock Tea" with a show at Bushwick’s new venue Delinquency. The band has a knack for simple, catchy melodies, delivered by front man David Otto’s alto, slightly reminiscent of Billy Corgan’s nasal sneer. – The first single from the EP, "Bug in the Sun," was added to our NYC Indie Rock SoundCloud Channel here.

Talented Brooklyn emerging singer/songwriter Frances Cone (one of our NYC Artists on the Rise a few weeks ago) will join LA based Indie/Folk outfit Milo Greene for a special performance at Bowery Ballroom on August 29th. Frances recently released her first single “Come Back” along with this music video, while Milo Greene has toured with The Civil Wars, after releasing their debut album this past July – if interested you can win VIP tickets to the private event by visiting this site. – Chelsea Eriksen

Pockets feeling a little light? Swagger misplaced? Subwoofer blown? Don’t fret NYC party people, get yourselves some Weekend Money. Take some electro-infused grind-worthy beats, lace them with some gritty street raps and get ready to sweat. Producer Ne$$ and Baghdaddy cite influences from Jimi Hendrix to Mobb Deep and are currently in the lab finishing up their premier ep tentatively titled “Naked City.” If you’re ready to drop it like it’s hot then seek them out, just be prepared for them to run their bass all up in your face. Check out the video for "Insomniac" here. -=brokeMC

MiniBoone‘s latest music video for punchy pop-rock romp "Brand New Thing" embodies every kid’s dream. You know, candy, junk food, soda, and … sasquatch? Well, it must be some kid’s dream: some very awesome, party animal kid’s dream to be precise.The song, off 2011’s On MiniBoone Mountain EP, lends itself extremely well to this… ahem… quirky video. Both are pulsing with energy and emphasize a tongue-in-cheek take on life; the New York-based five-piece didn’t cut any corners when it came to absurdity and a musically good time. Be sure to check it out – this could very well be the most ridiculous just-under-4-minutes you’ve spent in some time. – Corinne Bagish

Fresh from their graduation ceremony at Yale this past spring, the new-to-Brooklyn trio Plume Giant is hitting the road in support of their full-length album “Callithump.” The record comes after an eponymous EP in 2010, and shows off the band’s jovial fusion of folk and fiddle, highlighting playful harmonies with their male-female vocals combination. “Callithump” was recorded over an 11-month stretch around tour and exam schedules, and will be released on August 28, with a US tour to follow. Fellow local folkies Tall Tall Trees will join Plume Giant for their record release show at the Mercury Lounge on August 31. – Devon Antonetti

Equal parts art and music, People Get Ready is one of the most engaging and interesting new Brooklyn based bands. The quality and fun of their dance-ready jam sections in tracks like ‘Uncanny’ and the breathtaking launch of ‘Cathedral’ off their latest self-titled EP should be enough to make anyone want to join in their unique cross-genre, globe-hopping, head-tripping dance party. We asked them a few questions about their recording process – read the interview on Delicious Audio – The Deli’s blog about recording and Guitar Pedals.

Darlings have been entertaining Brooklyn crowds for quite a few years now with their musical philosophy asserting that the best ingredients for fun are uptempo drums, plain distorted guitar chords, and most importantly simple, catchy melodies. The band remains faithful to its credo in the new 7" of "Pet the Ghost" (streaming below) which will be released today (August 10) with a show at Glasslands with like-minded lo-fi local heroes The Sundelles.

A long time ago, the founding members of Motive were shredding through jazzlead sheets and getting carted across the U.S. and Europe to showcase their young talent. Nowadays, Motive populates a different scene. Erupting from a Clinton Hill practice space onto stages and club circuits around the city, the band is taking NYC – and the internet – by storm. In the dawn of a quintessential political election, their song “Nobody Eats Dinner” was synced to clips of Mitt Romney at his worst. This video went viral and with it, Motive. Their music is masterfully layered and meticulously produced. With a new age, larger than life sound that slowly seeps into your brain, it’s hard not to hum the enchanting hook of “What’s So Bad” (streaming below) right before drifting into a rock and roll daydream. See the band at Pianos on August 18. – Read Ed Guardaro interview with the band here.

Avan Lava, as a whole, is a mind-blowing spectacle that takes time to behold. The band is a mix of seasoned pros and otherwise unknown underground talent. Ian Pai and Le Chev of Fischerspooner theorized this upbeat hard hitting disco-rock side project while on tour in Brazil four years ago. Since then the band has grown, but Avan Lava is really a troupe. Their live shows feature fantastic displays of laser lights, dance numbers and costumes unparalleled in an other wise too-cool-for-school indie music scene. They sought to remove themselves from the chilled out ambient norm, and erupt onto the indie music circuit with high-energy tracks that get people off the wall and back onto the dance floor. Avan Lava does not create generic four-on-the-floor dance tracks, their music is intricate and intense, but easy to listen to, and most of all fun. Their ear-tickling EP “Flex Fantasy” is available for free online. – Read Dean Van Nguyen’s interview with the band here.

Listening to The Last Names begs a lot of questions. Not much is known of the band apart from the handful of songs they’ve released so far. Former members of Bishop Allen, Justin Rice and Darbie Nowatka began the group as a side project, and are now devoting some serious time to the folksy ‘Mommas and Poppas’ brand of hippie nostalgia you’ll hear on their soundcloud.

The band’s debut full-length ‘Wilderness’ comes out in early October and contains some of the most relaxed, evocative music I’ve heard in a long time from the Brooklyn pair. Personal fave ‘Dead Reckoning’ comes in on a breath of fresh air, and the rest of the record channels Haight-Ashbury as something new, even while channeling its ghosts throughout.

Stream part of the record on their Bandcamp and pick up a physical copy when its released October 2nd. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)