Since moving to NYC from L.A. in ‘99, the flurry of local bands I’ve fallen for has been dizzying.  But none in recent memory has gripped me quite like new garage soul outfit Clear Plastic Masks, fronted by Detroit-bred Andrew Katz (ex-New York Howl). Powerful sh*t emanates from this man who, at 6’6”, casts an imposing shadow, yet you’ll never meet a warmer guy.  The band’s sound dynamics are what’s most striking. One minute Katz’s everyman poet is casually whispering in your ear like an old friend telling you a joke and putting you at ease.  The next Matt Menold (guitars, keys) is pummeling you with ocean size Hendrix licks and Stax Hammond organ drones. But a deep soulfulness permeates every note, and the Cuban and Dominican roots of rhythm section Eddy DuQuesne (bass) and Charlie Garmendia (drums) ensure asses are kept shakin’ and the funk is kept stankin’. It adds up to a powerful elixir that could only be brewed in this great city of ours, and it’s undeniably rock n’ roll. In the last month the Masks recorded their forthcoming debut LP with producer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes; Jay Reatard) in Nashville, and filmed this video with director Joshua Shoemaker in Alabama. Catch them headlining the Knitting Factory on Friday 05.25 and be left reeling.  – Ryan Henriquez

Brooklyn based boy/girl duo The Henry Millers just released the video for their single "Diamonds," streaming below. The guys played Brooklyn Bowl on May 8 and are definitely one of the new bands to watch in the NYC area.Inspired by the tale of Bonnie and Clyde, the video was produced by Land of Nod Inc.

Be careful about popping on Island Twins’ latest two releases. You may find yourself singing along to lyrics you wouldn’t otherwise feel comfortable belting – the band has a knack for turning stark phrases like ‘Lying in State’ into gleeful chants of bouncy pop fun.

It’s this kind of playfulness that Sebadoh used to infuse into otherwise heavy subjects that comes through in this three piece. The other release up right now is ‘The Wolfs Lair,’ which confirms the bouncing tendencies. Despite the best efforts of the group to surround its ominous sentiment with noisy theatrics, the tunes comes through loud and clear. For Island Twins, there’s is a warm conversation happening between old friends, and thats what makes their strong doses of deprecating humor go down easy. DYI show lovers may see them at Suburbia on 330 Melrose St. this Saturday May 19 with other locals Shapes, Au Revoir and Stamps. The band has an album release scheduled for June. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Tonight Thursday May 17, Delicate Steve and People Get Ready will be taking the stage at Mercury Lounge. Big things have been in the works for headliner Delicate Steve (aka Steve Marion), who’s been covered repeatedly in our blog and magazine, and played our B.E.A.F. 2011 — he’ll drop new album "Positive Force" on July 10th. In support of this new effort, the multi-instrumentalist will be touring the US (plus one stop at UK End of the Road Festival) through August. Included are dates alongside Yeasayer and tUnE-yArDs, plus a 4-day installation across New York.

People Get Ready, a sort of combo dance group and indie act, is a bit of an all-star cast with a fantastic live show and it’s bound to explode soon. Frontman Steve Reker toured as a dancer/guitarist with David Byrne and drummer Luke Fasano is formerly of Yeasayer. Tons of hook and layered melodies mark this indie act, that will be releasing debut later this year, so be on the look out. – Corinne Bagish

Evi Antonio claims he’s having a tough time finding a good woman… but I’m not buying it. His music is so carefree and fun, I can’t imagine he’s having this much trouble attracting the right girl. In his latest EP ‘China, Man,’ Antonio whines and wails his way through two bouncy escapades all about the dangers of finding yourself with either no woman, or worse… the wrong woman.

But if any of this makes you think Evi’s a downer, don’t be alarmed. He is truly a master at the absurd, and builds his songs in a playground too full of pranks and tricks to ever allow any underlying issues of unrequited love to get him down. ‘Blank’ for instance, punctuates Evi’s helium-filled lungs with toy piano lines and rollicking drums, while ‘blank’ situates his sound within an amusement park filled with plenty of blank and blank. See the man live at Big Snow Buffalo Lodge on June 8 or at Glasslands on June 18. – Mike Levine

You do not want to be on the bad side of Christine Hoberg. Her romantic reflections often turn to rage and revenge, and her lyrics rarely miss their mark. While ‘J’Aime’ off its eponymous record brings out an honest yearning to find love, Hoberg more often than not revels in love’s less saintly modes, like the wrenching ‘White Ass’ and ‘Nutcase.’

For her latest record, Hoberg challenges herself not in changing what worked so well over the past couple years, but in finding a space where her feelings can elevate amidst layers of haunting echoes that shimmer from her piano stretches and knife-cutting vocal delivery. ‘Moonlight Never Shined So Bright’ is both haunting and cutting at once, revealing depths to Hoberg that challenge any simple explanation for her wicked streak. Christine’s can be a voice full of pain, but this weight gains a breathtaking outlet when expressed through the elevated tension of her music.- Mike Levine

This record was submitted digitally to The Deli here.

Playful pop with a lo-fi edge by way of two minute songs is the domain of Brooklyn’s The Hairs. “I Remember Alien Gonzales” serves up word play though a song title and chorus that cleverly references a headline grabbing story from a decade ago. “Duh” (streaming below, video here) is happy, foot tappin’ garage-punk, with traces of Robert Smith guitar interplay. “Ghetto Control” continues the lo-fi sonics, with lyrical references to cops and social disobedience. “Houseplant Songgg” is a compact 1:39 in length while still fulfilling the requirements one expects from a song, while the amusing (if redundantly) titled “Feeling a lot of Feelings” keeps the loose good times going. The band plays Glasslands on Friday with Big Troubles and Punks on Mars. – Dave Cromwell

James Levy and the Blood Red Rose (aka the guy from Levy – the band – and Allison from The Pierces) just released this video for the song "Hung to Dry". The duo is splitting their time between NYC and London, and just announced a string of UK shows. James also debuted his new project with a show at Cameo on May 13.

We covered NYC indie-pop outfit Jump Into The Gospel a bunch of times in the past and today we found out that the band has decided to change their name to HITS after the recording of their new EP, which reportedly triggered "major changes and commitments." The band will debut the new name with a show at The Mercury Lounge tonight May 15. Check out the new electronic single "Madness" streaming below.

Hear Kodacrome scream and chill out at the same time. This isn’t a combination that comes naturally to most of us, but in channeling rage through rhythm, singer Elissa Pociask has carved out a unique space that’ll make you wonder why no one has thought of pairing an acoustic guitar with casiotones before (‘Modern Man’).

When there’s a limit to frustration, San Fran and Brooklyn based Kodacrome provides the perfect outlet. Tracks like the winding ‘All the Ama’ off their new EP ‘Perla,’ gives and takes in equal measure, pushing the listener through an unexpected series of events from big beat dancefloor to solo piano interlude. But whether quiet or loud, it’s proportions are always epic. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – Kodacrome submitted their music to The Deli for review digitally here.

With his soul-infused folk, Matt Cranstoun’s music has a possessive mixture of character and earnestness. The Brooklyn-based singer released his sophomore album “The Last Drop of Color” last fall and has spent the past few months on stage set to an energetic “big band” supporting group. Complete with choral-like gospel singers and horn section, the album comes alive with the energetic backing band, showing the vulnerable but spirited singer at his best and charging his up already electric indie rock. Cranstoun and company will be performing their final show in the series at Rockwood Music Hall on May 15. – Devon Antonetti