We had been wondering for a while when The Drums were going to release their debut full length – now we know: June 8 (digital version), August 10 (vinyl), September (CD). The band hit the NYC scene like a sandstorm in the summer of 2009 soon after moving here from Florida, gaining almost instant buzz in the local music blogs. Their uplifting, minimalistic pop songs, and their melancholic lyrics often recalling memories of Floridian summer and sunny beaches, are a perfect sonic appetizer for anybody’s upcoming summer vacation. The Drums are currently touring Europe, and it looks like the buzz followed them there – their two shows in London on June 8-9 sold out.

Josh Mease belongs to the rather recent school of "adventurous orchestral songwriters", which has a strong presence in NYC. The Houston transplant feels mostly comfortable in what we call "Mellow Core" territory (i.e. ballads that are too sophisticated to be called just "ballads"). His voice alone it’s a monument to mellowness, while his arrangements dabble in psychedelic atmospheres. Josh will be opening for Angus and Julia Stone at TribecaY92 on June 10.

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).

Liturgy are New York’s first black metal band to truly feel like New York—the hypnotic churn of Glenn Branca or Rhys Chatham; the transcendent ecstasy of La Monte Young’s Dream Syndicate; the art-punker cutter sprawl of the Swans or Suicide; the everydude psych of Oneida. Dudes are more likely to wear a Michael Jordan shirt than corpsepaint, more likely to attack metal with a noise-punkers zeal, more likely to make love than war. To wit: Drummer Greg Fox clearly values power and theatrics over speed, watching his BPM increase over the last two years has been nothing short of mesmerizing. – Christopher R. Weingarten

Tyburn Saints will celebrate the release of his debut album “For The Benefit of Strangers” with a show at The Mercury Lounge on Friday 6/11 at  11pm. "For the Benefit of Strangers" was recorded at Dreamland Studios. The setting was fitting, a late 19th century church converted to a studio that has in the past hosted the likes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Weezer, and Dinosaur Jr. and more recently Beach House, Yeasayer, and The Hold Steady. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Consisting of San Francisco transplants, Brooklyn’s Lemonade picks up a world of influences. From dance-rock to house and almost everything in between, there’s a lot going on – a lot of blissful lusciousness. Think Q and Not U with the Christopher Richards-like vocals interspersed with random samples over entrancing beats. The trio’s latest release, “Pure Moods,” is a brilliant celebration of all things dance. The sound is big and consuming with a mash of influences that probably wouldn’t make any sense pulled into its component parts, but when layered on top of each other, the elements all sound like they are fated to be together. – Nancy Chow

Rob Cantrell rocks. Never heard of him? He’s the proud married dude that lives around the corner from your Brooklyn brownstone. At first glance, he’s a funki-fied version of Aiden (John Corbett of Sex & the City) dressed in a bathrobe, crazy white man fro in tact and bumble bee slippers. But once he opens his mouth, you’ll get a Weird Al vibe, mixed with pro-grass declarations that will make you sing along. Awesome tracks like “Coffee and Weed” and “Rub My Feet” are hilarious, snarky, and unapologetic. Cantrell’s even got a relationship blog on High Times.
"Married and Sh*t” is the best song hands down. With lyrics like, “I’m a one vagina man, doin’ the best I can. No more scams or one night stands. Funk you emo bands. I’m Rob man, kickin’ out the jams, with a wedding band,” you’ll laugh. You’ll cry. And you’ll secretly wish you had the talent to pull off those sweet rhymes.
Check out his album, KEEP ON THE GRASS. After listening to Cantrell you will be rollin’. Literally, off your chair. – Melissa Wong

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).

Earl Greyhound’s newest album “Suspicious Package” is bound to please fans both new and old. This physically and creatively multifarious trio, Matt, Kamara, and Ricc, do not disappoint, offering moments of 70s rock, Latin drums, heavy guitar riffs, and sexy vocals, with tracks that hint of influences like Lenny Kravitz and Led Zepplin cleverly strewn throughout the sophomore album. They’ve made classic rock contemporary, constructing an album monumental in sound and full of soul that has you grooving from start to finish. Sit with “Suspicious Package” for a period of time to truly take in the brilliance of Earl Greyhound’s lyrics and metaphors, as they sneak up on you like in a mystery waiting to be solved. -CM

Named by L Magazine as one of the 8 NYC Bands "You Need to Hear" in 2009, The Beets have gained quite a bit of traction in the NYC indie scene, revamping 60s garage rock for a modern age. Their songs are laden with rhythmic guitar strumming and echoing lyrical chants. The Beets are comprised of Juan Wauters, Jose Garcia and Matthew Volz,and the latest addition, drummer Melissa Scaduto. When the kids aren’t busy touring (the band will be in the midwest for most of June), Jose, Matt, Juan and Melissa seem to enjoy staying really local, drinking cheap beer and BBQing with their friends. Be sure to catch up with the Beets in NYC at the end of June. They will be playing South Street Seaport, the Rare Gallery, the Knitting Factory and the Bell House in early July. – Read Courtney Boyd Myers’ interview with the band here.

When corresponding with Garett Bussanick (vocals, guitar), Brian Corcoran (drums), Eric Rizk (bass) from the NYC -based trio Flourishing, we touched upon what took them so long to put out their debut EP, their approach to songwriting, and the pros and cons about being an underground metal band in the Big Apple. – read Mike SOS interview with the band here. See Fluorishing live at Lit on June 7.

I-banker turned singer-songwriter Joe Barney delivers catchy pop rock with thoughtful lyrics, dynamic guitar playing, and sweet melodies that don’t rot your teeth. With songs inspired by his countless breakups with, "supermodels" and a sound reflective of his time working with famed Rolling Stones producer Rob Fraboni, Mr. Barney, along with his band, The Coats, paints a portrait of a talented young artist struggling to find love and meaning in New York City. In an era of emotionally detached, beat-infused electro-pop music so often bereft of musicianship, Joe & The Coats offer a refreshingly honest, fun, and finely crafted classic rock show. (www.joebarney.com)

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).

If you are a regular Brooklyn party goer chances are you’ve probably seen DJ Teenwolf, Bathroomsexxx and Reverend McFly somewhere. This is Ninjasonik; three fun, party-loving gentlemen that embody everything there is about Brooklyn. Best buds with Matt & Kim and Japanther, their influences preeminent on the album (“Daylight” and “Silver Tiles”) are sampled on Art School Girls. Art School Girls is track-after-track of funny rhymes and catchy beats – perfect for creating wacky viral music videos. Find “Somebody Gonna Get Pregnant” on Youtube and prepare to giggle and nod to heavy beats. This year they are playing the River to River Fest at Battery Park on June 26, which promises to be a lot of fun. – Nicholas Palumbo

Well well well, all of a sudden one of our favorite Brooklyn bands (Here We Go Magic) sounds a little bit like our all time favorite NJ band (The Feelies). At least in this video of the song "Collector", out of the upcoming album "Pigeons", premiered on Pitchfork last week. This is very promising. CD release party at Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 8.