The words "Brooklyn" and "DIY" bring to mind images of young, intoxicated hipsters partying late in a Bushwick basement, to the notes of punky live music, while – a few floors upstairs – musicians record grating lo-fi music in their bedrooms. But the DIY modus operandi is by no means a prerogative of that scene. Self-defined "urban geek" multi-instrumentalist Michael Hearst (also in South Brooklyn’s own One Ring Zero) has also been recording his own unique orchestral music since the early aughts with admirable prolificacy. Definitely not part of "that" DIY scene, Hearst has slowly but surely fostered his career in DIY ways, networking with other musicians through collaborations which helped promote his talent as a composer and performer. This brought him as far as touring with The Magnetic Fields and performing one of his songs with Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall this past February.

After releasing the hugely acclaimed lit-rock gem "As Smart As We Are" with One Ring Zero, the man has developed a knack for concept albums, and he’s about to release his latest – entitled "Songs for Unusual Creatures" – as a solo effort. Inspired by such beastly oddities as the aye-aye, the magnapinna squid, the blobfish, the elephant shrew, and the blue-footed booby, this instrumental record celebrates some of the most bizarre animals on the planet, as well as some of the most bizarre musical instruments. Check out the very DIY video for Chinese Giant Salamander here.

Quite appropriately, the record release party will be held at the Brooklyn Zoo in Prospect Park on Saturday May 12 at 2 pm.

I don’t know why, it’s surely just some kind of preconception, but when we heard the phased out, psychedelic blues of Heliotropes we almost immediately imagined a bunch of bearded, long haired dudes behind the instruments. Well, it turns out this is an all girl, non-bearded band, whose music would work perfectly on a bill between Widowspeak and Naam. The quartet released their debut 7" in November 2011 and will celebrate the release of the new 12" entitled "Moonlite" (streaming below) on May 22 at The Knitting Factory.

Lovers of unconventional rock music will be delighted to hear that the high fivers of indie-prog-rock par excelence – Brooklyn’s Fang Island – will be soon back with a new album, entitled "Major," and scheduled for a July release. Although there isn’t much to listen to yet (just the soundtrack of this teaser video) the band has released a 1k bullet point explanation of the album title, which will surely get their biggest fans to imagine the entire record track by track, chord by chord, guitar solo by guitar solo – lack of lyrics makes this task much easier, actually…

Composed entirely by classically trained musicians (6 of them), and based in Brooklyn and Philly, Cuddle Magic (#77 in our latest Best of NYC Poll for emerging artists) has been spreading their fascinating music through the world since 2008. Their latest release, "Info Nymph," is a piece of art full of stories, literature and artwork, wrapped into an (very) unusual take on traditional songwriting. The band is both intense and soft, wrapping you snuggly with their mellow vocals while keeping you interested and connected through their quirky orchestrations. – CM

Brooklyn based New York Rivals are relatively new in the NY scene but have gathered a fair amount of attention already. Becoming a band just last year, the quartet hit the ground running, releasing their self-titled debut album in October 2011, and touring the East coast to promote it. The 10-track record, which parallels the band’s live shows’ energetic reputation, features a series of noteworthy tunes, including the freewheeling and uplifting, “I’m Not Ready Yet,” “Black and Blue” – which showcases NYR’s pop edge – and rhythmically catching “Follower.” “Come On Now” channels greater intensity and aggression, and the staccato bass riffs drive the final track, “Change” toward a climactic close. The young but seasoned group does not waste a moment, and their work has certainly paid off, as they have three impressive local shows coming up on May 8 at Brooklyn Bowl, May 16 at Bowery Ballroom, and May 17 at Asbury Lanes, NJ. – Meijin Bruttomesso

At Brooklyn Bowl, on April 24, the man of the hour was Bryan Scary, who celebrated the release of his newest, “Daffy’s Elixir.” Two years in the making, the 15 tunes are a spellbinding potion of glam, pop, theatricality, flamboyance, quirky characters, and rock. Mr. Scary conducted the dances with flawless showmanship and let his falsetto vocals and frantic keyboards lead him through the carousel of influences that is his repertopire (check out the Eno-esque song "Misery Loves Company," streaming below). His 11-part group is an impressive bunch of musicians who can transfix crowds with their precision and dynamics, so much so that the Brooklyn Bowl’s audience wished upon the band for more and were granted a dynamite encore. If you are into fun times, keep checking Bryan Scary’s website for upcoming gigs.– Meijin Bruttomesso

On Tuesday, April 24, NYC’s Brooklyn Bowl was filled to the brim with the sounds of new music, humor, showmanship, and the victorious shouts for bowling scores. TAB the Band attacked the Williamsburg venue with solid rock tunes, both “oldies but goodies” from their album “Zoo Noises” and newbies from their upcoming record (release date TBA), causing moments of headbanging delight, accompanied by droll inter-song patter. Look out for TAB on May 24 at Irving Plaza, opening for the one and only Slash. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Reaching instant intensity with the dual night and day vocals of Darrin Bradbury and Emma McLaughlin, Big Wilson River have charged up thrash-folk streaming out from under them. The band released “Octopus” in 2011, showcasing their 90’s alternative influences and blues sensibilities in a major way. Songs like “Hemingway Had a Cat” and “Dandelion” highlight the band’s ability to engage listeners with screams and punches, both literal and sonic, especially with lyrics claiming to “drunk dial God.” – See Big Wilson Riverlive at the upcoming Deli NYC B.E.A.F. on 05.24 at Spike Hill – Read Devon Antonetti’s interview with the band here.

Emotionally engaging, carefully crafted dream pop songs are the appealing sonic domain of Brooklyn’s Field Mouse. The formidable songwriting and recording team of Andrew Futral and Rachel Browne create aural landscapes that can melt the hardest of hearts. Having expanded to a four piece with bassist Danielle DePalma and drummer Geoff Lewit, the group has been playing numerous live shows around the city, slowly building a loyal fan base, as it prepares to release its next record. – Read Dave Cromwell‘s interview with the band here.

As you know, here at The Deli we aim our focus mostly on emerging, promising local artists rather than "established" ones, but today I’d like to spend a few words for a band signed to a major, which was featured on the cover of The Deli back in 2008, and whose second full length, notwithstanding the departure of a band member, successfully developed in new exciting directions. We finally found some time to listen to Chairlift‘s the new album "Something" and we were very impressed with it, but mostly with the band’s loyalty to their signature sensual quirkiness. I don’t think many people in the industry would have bet their money on the duo after Aaron Pfenning left, and I won’t deny that – as much as I loved the debut "Does You Inspire You" – I was amongst the sceptics too. It is indeed easy for a pop band to buy into the temptation of getting even poppier after signing a deal with Columbia Records. But Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly obviously stood up to the challenge.
A video like this one for the single "Amanaemonesia" perfectly exemplifies how the duo not only put themselves out there, but doubled the stakes, with Caroline showcasing that in these 3 years not only she’s become a better singer, but she’s obviously improved her performing skills in the dancing department. Our favorite single from the album, "Sidewalk Safari" (streaming below) it’s just a great pop song that works on all levels. Emerging bands out there, there’s lots to learn from these guys.

Superheroes are consistently more awesome when they team up. When super-villians team up, there is a guarantee of bigger explosions and mass hysteria. When Brooklyn’s Ryan-O’Neil and 100dBs join forces, DJs’ fingers start to twitch in anticipation, MCs tighten their headphones, and fans invest in sound systems with greater bass response. In the four years that these cats have been working together, they have remained consistently dope. Ryan’s flow is effortless and insightful, and 100dBs’ production infuses the booms and baps with a soul reminiscent of DJ Premier. Together they strike a careful balance between fidelity to hip hop’s roots and an investment in the evolution of the art form. This is the type of album people ask the bartender about when it’s playing; the type of album friends won’t leave your apartment until you burn it for them. Don’t sleep on this one. – BrokeMC