Check out the artists that made our "Fresh Buzz section in the 48th issue of The Deli NYC!
Ready to embrace punk’s nihilism? Surfbort plays Bowery tomorrow (11.11)
In this new version of America we’ve all woken up to, you don’t need a genius to predict a punk resurgence in the upcoming years, in its most nihilistic forms and shapes. Brooklyn’s Surfbort, then, don’t need to go anywhere sound-wise, since that’s exactly what they’ve been playing since their 2015 debut single ‘Trash.’ The notes from their following, self titled EP (released in January) prophetically read: "this is a record that laughs in the face of the end of the world." Since their appearance on the scene, the young rebels have been filling up most of the small to medium size venues in NYC, while never missing the opportunity to roll over their filthy stages – an essential trait of any true punk musician. Tomorrow (November 11) they’ll have a lot of room for that trick, since they’ll playing at the Bowery Ballrom for the second time this year, opening for Thee Oh Sees. For those frustrated by the election results, it may be a good opportunity to let out some steam…
Fruit & Flowers brings their psych post punk to Shea Stadium on 11.13
Fruit & Flowers is a female fronted Brooklyn band that’s been playing a gazillion shows lately (and seem to have as many scheduled), which is always a good sign. Oh, and, for the record, when we say "female fronted" we mean to say that whoever is not on the front of the stage (the drummer) is the dude out of four band members. At this stage they only have one song out for streaming, a slow burning track called "Turquoise," featuring a melody that is tele-porting us back to the days of Rain Parade and those other spacey American psych bands of the late ’80s. If you are curious about the rest of their repertoire, you can check hear it live at Shea Stadium on 11.13.
Very Fresh releases ‘Hey, It’s Me!’ EP at Shea Stadium on 11.13
Cindy Lou Gooden, aka Very Fresh, is a quirky and multi-faceted talent. She spent the last year recording on Ava Luna’s last album, touring with Kino Kimino (Sonic Youth) and Leapling on bass, and prior to that, forming the all-female Pavement cover band, Babement, with Speedy Ortiz’s Sadie Dupuis. She also worked on her third EP to date, ‘Hey, it’s Me!,’ which reveals a songwriter drawn in many directions. Opening track ‘California Low,’ with its whispered beginning, soon exploding into a ’90s influenced guitar-pop chorus, only to settle again into a mellow bridge, sums up well what comes next – although this track is pretty darn out there. Our favorite song here is ‘Schedule IV’ (streaming), which develops in more linear ways, revealing Cindy’s melodic talent and her remarkable voice. Don’t miss her EP release show at Shea Stadium on 11.13.
NYC Record of the Month: Show Me The Body – ‘Body War’
After – quite literally – storming the local DIY scene with their super tense live shows and a borderline insane debut EP, this past summer the trio of NYC natives Show Me the Body released their debut album ‘Body War,’ a ten track, electric banjo driven sonic assault that manages to successfully blend post-hardcore, industrial, math rock and hip hop. The album inserts itself in the lineage of hybrid punk releases that includes seminal records by Fugazi and Rage Against the Machine, but maintains a level of rawness and desperation neither of those bands ever managed to convey. (This makes us wonder if that’s what a few decades spent in NYC’s "less trendy" neighborhoods does to kids…). Intriguingly, unlike most post-hardcore acts, Show Me The Body isn’t afraid to slow down the tempo (‘Death Sounds 2’), or even give up the drums entirely every now and then (‘Honesty Hour’), which opens up sonic space for sound experimentation and even textural moments, like in ‘Chrome Exposed.’ The quieter sections also allow for a greater contrast when the instrumental explosion eventually arrives, taking the ’90s rock loud/quit/loud idea to its extreme. But the most effective tracks are the ones where the band’s signature tension finds an (explosive) release, like title-track.
This is the record most NYC kids involved in the vital, seminal, local DIY scene – and in all likelihood, most rock critics too – will remember years from now. It’s a record we think is destined to inspire many young, offbeat musicians – from underground, where so many NYC scene gems are buried.
Noisy trio Baby Acid unveils video for ‘Baby Guts’ + releases LP at Footlight on 12.09
The reckless abandon of Brooklyn rockers partying hard is on full display in Baby Acid’s debut music video and song “Baby Guts.” The recently premiered track previews their full-length Moon Sounds Records release on December 9. Recorded and produced by band visionary Lindsey and Jasno from Vandelles/Hellbirds notoriety at his Secret Loft Studios, while mastering was handled by A Place To Bury Strangers Oliver Ackermann. The track itself emerges via full-on fuzzed out guitar chords while initial vocals proclaim that “my baby comes from France, my baby don’t wear no pants.” While the lyrical output may playfully favor words that rhyme over actual storytelling, ferocious riffs and rhythms are executed with serious intent. Video imagery depicts the black-clad band against a white backdrop interspersed with footage from a raging house party. As walls become increasingly covered in handwritten graffiti, impromptu crowd-surfing and bathroom shenanigans mirror the track’s explosive conclusion. Baby Acid play their album release show on 12/9 at The Footlight w/ Parlor Walls, Ex Girlfriends and Thick. – Dave Cromwell
The Deli NYC’s issue #48 is online! Brooklyn Synth Expo / Electronic Music issue!
Ladies and Gents,
We are proud to unveil (for now just digitally) issue #48 of The Deli Magazine NYC. It’s an issue entirely focused on Electronic music, featuring a gear section focused on our upcoming Brooklyn Synth Expo, and many Q&As with the most promising emerging electronic bands about their favorite synths. On the cover, EDM-World duo SOFI TUKKER; inside, a feature about NYC’s LGBT Hip Hop scene and a two page article about nu-soul up and coming diva Cruel Youth.
The print version of it will hit the streets of NYC on Friday November 4th.
Hope you enjoy it!
The Folks at The Deli
P.S. Check out Sofi Tukker’s new video for ‘Awoo,’ streaming below.
A Deli NYC Premiere: Julian Cubillos’ video for ‘Scared’
LA-born Julian Cubillos graced the world last Friday (just in time for Halloween weekend!) with two-track single Scared, his newest release on Tiny Montgomery Records since his 2015 full-length album Evil. Scared – which includes the A-side of the same name and the B-side “Can I Win” – offers the same mind-warping lo-fi and colorful gravitas as Julian’s past output.
The brand-new psychedelic video – from which the single’s cover takes its image – comes from the mind of Brooklyn visual and recording artist Christina Schneider. In it, she blends clips of old horror films (Psycho, to name one) with CGI images of rotating knives, vintage commercials for toys and toiletries, and images of bugs that crawl uncomfortably close. Check it out below. – Will Sisskind
Buscabulla unveils video for “Tártaro,” tours with Helado Negro
We are glad to see Buscabulla back in action – the stylish, Brooklyn based Puerto Rican band graced the cover of our magazine back in 2015 (issue #43 of The Deli NYC). The duo recently released a new single entitled “Tártaro,” which came with this elegant video. After an exciting summer during which they toured Chile (!) they are now back in the US on a mini-east-coast-tour with Helado Negro, which included a gig at Bowery Ballroom last night. Looking forward to a new release!
Frances Cone soars in The Deli’s Charts, plays Baby’s All Right on 11.07
We go a long way with Brooklyn songwriter Frances Cone – she played one of our SXSW shows back in 2013 – and it’s great to see her climb our ‘NYC New Bands With Buzz" top ten chart on this same page. After her 2013 debut album ‘Come Back,’ her releases have been somewhat sporadic, but high in quality. Earlier in 2016, her intimately atmospheric, slow burning single ‘Arizona,’ caused a stir on Spotify, approaching 4 million plays, and opening up a series of show opportunities in reputable venues all along the east coast, including a show at Music Hall of Williasburg on September 30th. Frances and her band’s next show will be at Baby’s All Right on 11.07.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Glass Gang releases “1 for non EP” + tour the UK
Brooklyn’s Glass Gang launches into November with a UK tour in support of their new EP, 1 For None. The new release features five tracks filled with echoing guitar fills a la The Edge and buzzing dark synth riffs which evoke visions of Crystal Castles.
Back in July, we posted about the video for the band’s single “Outside Your Love”, which appears on 1 For None. But it’s Glass Gang’s newest track “Ballet” that shines in this collection; with a driving 80s-nostalgic synth bass line and passionate vocals smacking of Robert Smith or Win Butler, it’s a winner. Despite the despair in the lyrics (“When the sun is burning up/Tell me everything’s all right”), “Ballet” encourages dancing.
The band starts their UK tour at Oporto in Leeds on 11/6. They play The Waiting Room in London on 11/8 and Green Door Store in Brighton on 11/9. If you happen to be across the pond, check them out. Otherwise, listen to “Ballet,” below. – Will Sisskind
Brooklyn’s RIPS plays Trans Pecos on 11/05, readies release of debut album
To some extent, it’s very reassuring to see how many emerging bands in this city are still inspired by the sound of post-punk, a musical wave that developed the DIY attitude of the punk musical revolution in a more creative direction. Brooklyn’s RIPS, whose debut, upcoming album was produced by Austin Brown of NYC post punk masters Parquet Court, has two singles available for streaming, and they showcase a band with solid potential. Speedy track "Delay,’ in particular, with its intriguing blend of guitars and a bass line that’s a pop gem by itself, boasts both attitude and good songwriting chops, while ‘Losing II‘ is a simpler track that sounds like a homage to seminal NYC legends like the Velvet Underground and Television, artists that in many ways anticipated the post punk movement. RIPS is scheduled to play Trans-Pecos on November 5th.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!