Catchy, upbeat tunes infused with a 60s pop style and ragtime piano makes Craig Chesler’s latest CD the perfect addition to your summer music collection. A great blend of simple but poignant lyrics and smooth vocals resonate with listeners who will eagerly tap their toes to fun songs like “At First Sight” and “All In All,” and be treated to the light sound of the ukulele, banjo, and various other instruments on the 12-track album. Chesler’s music is a step back in time to an era where easy living and easy loving was part of the day-to-day, and music was simply made to be pleasing to the ears. Craig can also be found playing with Tom Clark and the High Action Boys throughout New York City, as well as solo at Brooklyn haunts like Bar 4. The album features the talent of local artists like Len Monachello, Tom Clark, Jeff Jacobson, Sal Maida, Marni Rice, Casey Shea, and more. –CM

We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel and DJs).

New York quartet, The Shake, have been quaking the city’s music scene in recent months, landing a top spot on The Deli’s “Best of NYC” poll. Their December record release, “The Shake Go Crazy,” is nothing short of pure rock ‘n roll with catching riffs, singable choruses, and spirited guitar solos that embody the youthful rebelliousness that is missing from many acts today. Distinguishing themselves from the typical rock outfit with Jon Merkin’s unmistakable vocals and Eliad Shapiro’s gripping choices in guitar progressions, The Shake also adopt a heavy blues swagger and metal attitude on highlighted tracks, “Got No Soul,” “Merry Musket” and “Galleries,” open “Your Idols” with a cappella flair, and demonstrate great musicianship by collaborating with Matt Butler (Reckless Sons) on “Time Bomb,” Ezra Huleatt (Black Taxi) on “Pop Goes the…,” and Tash Neal (The London Souls) on “Merry Musket (Reprise).” Invigorating on record and on stage, The Shake are ones to watch on the rock ‘n roll Richter scale. www.wearetheshake.com – Meijin Bruttomesso

Make Music New York  is a unique festival of free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City, all on Monday, June 21st, the first day of summer. MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in more than 327 cities around the world — a global celebration of music making.

There will be a bunch of outdoors concerts in Williamsburg with local artists who deserved to be checked out. In the middle of Bedford Avenue, Spike Hill will host an outdoors show The Deli helped book with The Courtesy Tier @ 9pm, The Twees @ 10pm, Black Taxi @ 11pm, and The Binary Marketing Show (in the picture above) @ midnight. On North 6 Street, Cameo will host an all day similar event involving a very interesting lineup of NYC artists including Turkuaz, The Yellow Dogs, Hank and Cupcakes, Hollis Brown, Daddy Long Legs, Shilpa Ray, Fredericks Brown, The London Souls, and Fall on your Sword (in the picture below).

Thursday night at The Cake Shop, while listening to Ava Luna‘s song "Won’t You Be Mine", we experienced an inner time travel that took us back to a 1950s soda shop – were a jukebox was playing… that song. This was probably triggered by the band’s three female vocalists, who reeled the audience in with their velvety doo wop style vocals, feet stomping and hand clapping. That trip was shattered about a minute into the song when frontman Carlos Hernandez’s Prince-esque falsettos combined with some heavy synth and bass impacteded our confused eardrums. This unlikely melding of synth rock/pop and doo wop is a little like those chocolate and bacon bars you see around these days: sweet and funky, but pretty damn yummy. The band has a series of shows scheduled in the NYC area in June and July, make sure to check them out. – Abigail Devora

The EP from Brooklyn’s own ARMS is another FTW from the "nu-gaze" wave. It is an album as sophisticated as Sufjan Stevenes and as spirited as Sonic Youth. Lead vocalist and guitarist, Todd Goldstein began writing music under the name ARMS in 2004. After releasing a solo album "Kids Aflame" in 2008, Todd recruited Tlacael Esparza to play drums and Matty Fasano to play bass and sing along under the same name. The trio’s new EP is made up of five refreshing, romantic tracks filled with droning rifts, introspective lyrics and echoy vocals that will be a part of their upcoming full-length album tentatively called "Summer Skills." The lovely lo-fi songs are non-confrontational but holistically downbeat. The kind of complex and inspiring tunes you’d want to play in your room on a rainy day when you’re tired of listening to the Donnie Darko soundtrack. Download their EP for free, here (http://www.armsarms.com/songs/arms_ep.zip) and turn the volume up on Heat & Hot Water. – CBM

We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel and DJs).

Maybe it’s the southern twang of Heather Christian’s soprano that absolutely sucks you in. Or maybe it’s the beautifully arranged balance of edgy guitars and strategic piano. Either way, Cavalier Rose is a masterpiece to add to your collection. Be impressed with the rowdy, “Lie to Me” or fall in love with “Lamplight,” a stunning almost romantic track that transports you to a secluded cabin in the country. Intimate and seductive, Christian’s killer voice tugs at your heart strings. Cavalier Rose’s own charming signature sound adds to its bone-chilling live performance that mirrors a Janis Joplin, “rock with me” intensity. Absolutely addicting. – Melissa Wong

The Pains have been very productive as of late – didn’t they release a new video like a month ago? Anyway, this one comes with some fresh news: the band will be making their next live NYC appearance at the 10th Annual Siren Festival in Coney Island precisely on the hottest day of the year (which always conicides with the Siren Fest, did you notice?). They’ll be sharing the stage with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Matt & Kim and recent tour buddies, Surfer Blood. Immediately after their performance the Pains travel to the UK and Europe to complete a mini tour.

Oh You Devil is Yuri Velez (drums/vocals), Marc Berger (guitar), Ari Brand (keyboard), and Reinhardt Schuhmann (bass). A relatively new band, the group seems poised for a bright future. After just a few short months of gigging, they’ve already gained a reputation for their live shows and have played to packed crowds at Pianos, Bar Matchless, Fontanas, and Sycamore. Reminiscent of Radiohead and Blonde Redhead, their music is expansive, moody, and deeply expressive. Rich, textured harmonies and gripping arrangements fused with lead singer Velez’s emotive vocals create a truly mesmerizing sound. Check out a recording of Receive Me with guest vocalist Leah Hayes from Scary Mansion/La Laque on their Myspace page. They are playing a Rooftop Films show on Friday, June 18th on the roof of New Design High School (350 Grand Street @ Essex). – Danielle Kourtesis

We just received this message from The Pierces: "The new tv show "Pretty Little Liars" is using The Pierces song, "Secret" as their theme song, so Allie and I made a video for it! We directed it ourselves and it turned out purty good for a last minute, shoestring budget kinda thing. Also, we just finished a new record and signed a record deal with Polydor Records in London! So hopefully our next video will be a big budget extravaganza, directed by Michael Bay with airplanes and desert scenes and explosions and shit…but until then…we leave you with this…"

It’s always a cause for celebration when two bands noted for their creativity and energy grace the stage on the same night. Such is the case this Sunday when Brooklyn’s own Dinowalrus and the young upstarts Telenovelas (their guitar in the picture) appear at Cameo Gallery ( 93 N6th Street between Berry and Wythe, in the back of the Lovin’ Cup Cafe). Word has it that Dinowalrus will be doing an extra special show as long-time multiple instrumentalist Kyle departs afterwards to pursue other musical projects. The Dino’s wish him well, however, as they continue on with a series of east coast shows. Telenovelas, meanwhile, have been making a name for themselves after playing a number of shows over the last few months. With a sound that combines psychedelia, jangly pop and fuzzed out noisy reverberated chaos, their appeal is obvious. In addition to this show at Cameo, Telenovelas will be also appearing the following night at Bruar Falls ( 245 Grand Street between Driggs Av and Roebling St , Williamsburg , Brooklyn ) with not one, but two Beach Fossils side projects -Red Romans and Heavenly Beat. Two great opportunities to catch this band and see what all the buzz is about. – Dave Cromwell

“It’s interesting – being a new artist is a blessing, because you have the element of surprise,” says Darwin Deez (née Smith), the lanky, mustachioed guitarist in Brooklyn’s Creaky Boards. “No one’s expecting anything, so you just get to make your statement. People get it or they don’t. The next statement that you make has to be well received by the people who liked your first statement as well as other people, because you never get anywhere if you just make one statement to one group of people.”
Fresh off a whirlwind United Kingdom tour curated by NME, Deez appears to already be plagued with thoughts of a follow-up to his debut self-titled solo album. London-based indie label Lucky Number just released his record this past spring, and it’s already getting rave reviews across the pond. – Read Nancy Chow’s feature on Darwin Deez here.

Harper Blynn is a combination of childhood friends, college buds and bonds through music that make them who they are today. Previously playing as a duo under the name Pete and J, the Pete Harper and J.Blynn realized they needed a band and called upon J’s friend since middle school Sarab Singh. The three then met Whynot (that is in fact his name) and became the now four-piece Harper Blynn, whose album “Loneliest Generation” was released in December. Their music is emotional and melodic, with throwbacks to The Beatles and Neil Young, but stepping in and out of newer sounds and genres. With lots of “man-singing” as they say and plucky piano or guitar parts, Harper Blynn seems to be aiming to pull at the heartstrings of their listener. – Read Lauren Piper’s interview with the band here.