Stepping out of their roles as supporting musicians, drummer Sam Levin (Sea Sick, R Stevie Moore) and guitarist/vocalist Indigo Street (Jolie Holland, Gregory Sauner of Deer Hoof) have a new project called Shy Hunters. Their tracks which showcase a keen sense of songwriting at work: "Time Bomb" emphasizes tomahawk drum stomps as rhythmic base, while alternating spoken word and sung vocals are further enhanced via multiple guitar textures. "Stained Glass House" (streaming below) sticks with this musical formula of a structured drum pattern providing sole rhythmic foundation, while vocal melodies soar along complimentary guitar lines, creating a more relaxed and "conducive" atmosphere. Don’t miss Shy Hunters at the Bell House on April 7th. – Dave Cromwell

Delicate Steve isn’t your typical band. The beat of their music has the power to force you to sing along, despite the lack of words. The way Steve plays his guitar is melodic in nature, providing a faux-voice track for his feel-good, exotic sounding tracks. “Afria Talks to You” is Delicate Steve’s latest tune (stream it here), from the sophomore album "Positive Force" that’s coming out May 15. His previous CD, "Wondervisions" was acknowledged by the media and the blogs (Deli included) for its unique qualities. After touring lots last year, Steve and his band will head down to perform their new songs at SXSW ’12 – The Deli booked them last year down in Asutin. – Christine Cauthen

Exciting times for Brooykln’s neo-soul act Ava Luna, who are featured in the current winter issue of The Deli and just released their sophomore full length "Ice Level". The band is already on a two week tour which will take them down to Austin (for 3 SXSW performances) and other shows on the way there and back. – Read Bill Dvorak’s interview with the band here. (Photo Emily Raw)

James Levy and the Blood Red Rose (i.e. Allison Pierce of The Pierces) debut release “Pray To Be Free” harkens back to the days when pop was tasteful and genuine. Levy’s booming baritone taunts a meticulously crafted rhythm section, layered and perfected by producer Guy Berryman (Coldplay). A native Vermonter, Levy came up through the anti-folk scene in the East Village with contemporaries Adam Green, Kimya Dawson, and Regina Spector, and then caught the attention of many with the dream-pop band called simply… Levy. His new project’s debut album “Pray To Be Free” is, “An older record with a classic vibe and a contemporary, fresh sound,” says Jeff Barrett, Heavenly’s head honcho. Levy delivers his vocals with the insouciant gusto of Bob Dylan, while his horn arrangements tell us he may very well rock out to Blood Sweat and Tears songs when no one is around. – Read Ed Guardaro’s interview with Levy here.

We gave a lot of attention to avant-rootsy group Yellow Ostrich in 2011 – the band enjoyed a couple of Deli features and headlined one of our CMJ 2011 shows (full disclosure, they would have been on the cover of our fall 2011 issue if they could have played our show at Pianos, but they had other commitments). After a very good reception of the debut album, this prolific band begins 2012 with a new release entitled "Strange Land," which expands their sonic vocabulary in a direction that’s at once more electric and orchestral, with the enlistment of horn player Jon Natchez. If you are going to Austin next week, you’ll probably see them live even if you aren’t trying to, since they are playing 9 shows in 5 days! Otherwise you can catch them in NYC at Mercury on April 12.

Alabama-born songwriter-siblings Pascal and Lauren Balthrop moved to New York City to start a band in 2006. So they did and they are keeping at it, and we are surprised we didn’t hear about them sooner. Their music is based on quality songwriting that walks the line between rootsy and pop, which makes it very palatable for fans of groups like The Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian. They are about to release their sophomore album "We Have Electricity" in April, and they are givingway the mp3 of the single below, entitled "Electricity". Check out the animated video of this same song by clicking on this weird little arrow here.

Mp3: Balthrop – "Electricity"

What do sleazy business men, protestors, Lemon Glub, human guinea pigs, brand new puppies, twitter, belly dancers, gossiping secretaries, and a bottle of booze all have in common? They all make an appearance in the latest music video from Brooklyn’s U SAY USA. The deliciously asymmetric song, "CEO", (which was recorded to analog tape – how cozy!) is the first of a new set of singles to be released every month leading up to the Armageddon. The band will play Glasslands on March 14 with Golden Age of Transit and Clouty. – (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 and APS Mastering.

Having been called "Technicolor Noir", The Vandelles’ tunes are reminiscent of 60’s surf music with a modern psych-rock edge, heavily relying on an insane amount of fuzz and reverb. The band organized a last minute trip to the South West, involving 3 shows in Austin during SXSW on March 16, 17 and 18 – more info about dates and location here. Check out this stunning video of the song "Lovely Weather" they released in 2012. (Photo by Victoria Renard)– (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 and APS Mastering.

NYC’s premium alt rock trio Screaming Females just premiered this video – which is actually grossing us out big time – of the single "It All Means Nothing," included in the new album upcoming album called "Ugly," scheduled for an April release. The band is already on tour with Titus Andronicus and is scheduled to play at SXSW at the Brooklyn Vegan showcase on 03.14 and then at The Bellhouse in Brooklyn on April 6th.

Unlike their name, Those Mockingbirds aren’t mimics of their NY/NJ musical counterparts. Instead, the Montclair-based five-piece produces a refreshing brand of pop-rock, synthesizing heavy guitars, graceful guitar and violin lines, and multi-part vocals. Their record, “Fa Sol La,” released just last month and available for free here, features a mix of songs and musical interludes, including “Mountain Slang I” which begins with gentle waves of sound then segues into crashing guitars on “Coast to Coast,” folksy and balladic “Don’t Stray,” polka-esque “The Bloodiest Gums,” visceral “We’re Animals,” “Fa Sol La” comes full cirlce with serene instrumental track, “Mountain Slang II.” The album is also available in vinyl from various musical outlets for those who prefer the classic packaging. –Meijin Bruttomesso

Sometimes bands bios aren’t boring, so why not use them for a blog entry? All we need to say is that these two girls (Alice and Michi) are talented musicians and you should check out their songs…
"It was early 2011, a jazzy feel-time season. Michi wrote Alice a letter urging her to come to New York and collaborate on a musical project. Alice was driving around Los Angeles, deep in her annual autumnal malaise. She skimmed the message at a stoplight just before stopping at her favorite Subway and read the remainder just before going to bed. Three months later Alice arrived in NYC with two suitcases, a snare and cymbals but it was unclear who would be playing what instrument. […] Nobody knew but Michi welcomed Alice into her home and the musical experiments began."
Alice and Michi’s debut record will be released on May 15 on Kenji Records