Arc Iris was started by Jocie Adams (formerly of The Low Anthem) as a solo project in 2012 before enlisting the help of Zach Tenorio-Miller on keyboards and Ray Belli on drums, and in 2014 they released their genre bending debut that was influenced by everything from folk and country to jazz and cabaret. Their upcoming album Moon Saloon takes on a darker and more mysterious atmosphere, while continuing to use bold classical arrangements that make their sound unique. Their complexly composed songs feature a wide array of instruments and tender vocal harmonies that shape the band’s ethereal sound. The band is about to leave for an over a month long tour in the US and Europe. In anticipation of Moon Saloon’s release on August 19th via Bella Union, our friends at Delicious Audio asked the band’s keyboardist, Zach, about the band’s gear and creative process – see link below.

Delicious Audio interview with Arc Iris.

Regulars of the Bedford L stop in Williamsburg will recognize Royal as the cello-wielding busker whose sweet sound floats wistfully over the cavernous train station. His debut, self titled LP captures the live set’s melange of quarter-note triplets and mellow tenor vocals. Opener “G Major Suite” finds Royal crooning manifesto couplets like, “Let’s just make one thing this clear.” “Say It’s Right” and “Past the Flowers” continue the dulcet pace with aplomb; only “Morning Baby” and “So Glad to See You” depart from the baroque-soul formula, marrying delicate balladry to angst-driven lyrics like “I’m about to lose my mind” and a dropping of the F-bomb. (Brian Chidester)

NYC’s quartet The YeahTones are here to remind us that Blues Rock can still be the coolest (old) kid on the block, if only flawlessly executed and – at once – approached with the creative edge it too often lacks. Listening to ‘What Could I Do’ – whose perfectly gritty video is streaming below – we couldn’t help but being reminded how The Beatles, in tracks like Come Together, I Want You and Helter Skelter, were able to make that genre sound entirely fresh again. With this single, The YeahTones’ accomplish that same goal through subtle variations to the original 12 bar Blues "script," and an arrangement that delivers unexpected turns without lacking in the power department. The guys must be seen live for full approeciation – their next show is at Brooklyn Bowl on September 12th.

Dear Deli Readers,

Issue #47 of The Deli NYC is now available online, you can read it here!

It’s the Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit issue! See section about pedals in the second half of the magazine, in part curated by Gearphoria.com.

Enjoy!

The Folks at The Deli NYC

Deeply spiritual and tortured at once, NYC’s electronic one man band project Varick is back with a new track that combines goth influences with EDM, synth pop and industrial. A song about "surrendering your ego in order to find a deeper meaning within yourself." Surrender (streaming below) well exemplifies Varick’s interpretation of music and creativity as mediums towards the search for a deeper life balance, where catharses – here in the form of occasional explosions of distorted guitars – can be as enlightening as the contemplation expressed in the thoughtful lyrics. The single will be part of Varick debut full length album, entitled Veda I, to be released on September 9th.

After perfecting their nuanced sound via touring and single releases, the shoegaze duo, Shana Falana, impressed critics with a 2015 debut LP titled Set Your Lightning Fire Free. Follow-up album, Here Comes the Wave is scheduled for a fall release later this year. The band’s sound hits all the right sensory marks dealing in positive wonderment and a sense of discovery. Vocals, as sung by singer/guitarist Shana, soar over chiming guitars and tom-tom drums, all of which keep pace with affected, drone-y guitars. 

Read the Delicious Audio Interview with Shana Falana about her creative process.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Psych songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

This Long Island teen brother duo is set for an exciting year, having recently signed with legendary British label 4AD. First single—“These Words” b/w “As Long As We’re Together”—is not merely post-modern mischief. It’s full of seventies cliché, the kind which elegizes funky guitars, prog synths, smooth choruses, and metallic band logos (e.g. Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden). In this case, a hypervigilant sensitivity to the past doesn’t detract, but feels freshly imbued with the spirit of youth. Check out the brand new video for the single, streaming below, and don’t miss their upcoming show with Sunflower Bean at Music Hall of W’Burg on October 7 (part of a three week east coast tour). – Brian Chidester

NYC’s Cloud Becomes Your Hand‘s creative potential is on full display in their sophomore album "Rest In Flea," a multi-colored sonic adventure released by intrepid Queens label Northern Spy, home to an enviable collection of NYC’s best experimental talents of all ages. But the record, a brilliantly quirky but very musical collage of robotic numbers, psychedelia and musical deconstruction, doesn’t tell the whole story. With electronic xylophone, clarinet and electric violin rounding up their drum/bass/guitar sonic backbone, the sextet offers a monstrously tight live show featuring perfectly choreographed movements and sublime moments of absurdity, reminiscent of a DIY blend of Devo, Wire and The Residents.

Read the Delicious Audio Q&A with Cloud Becomes Your Hand about gear and the recording process.

Pavo Pavo is one of those bands that make music lovers happy, without really being a happy band, and notwithstanding those unnecessary mustaches. It’s just the celestial orchestration, the musical bits and pieces flawlessly coming together, we guess. This being sad, we wish they had more recorded songs! Nobody is happy about scarcity of what makes them happy, why do you do this to us, Pavo Pavo? Those of you who share the feeling should see these guys live tomorrow (August 4th) at wonderful new Brooklyn Venue National Sawdust – and yes, they’ll be playing more than the two songs you can find online (also streaming below)!

Those who like to listen to music for "mind-traveling" purposes (a lot cheaper than real vacations!) should check out this new mysterious psychedelic NYC band called Lady James Monroe – they’ll be playing their third show ever at Pianos on August 18th. The band is the project of a dude called Doug Moss, but none of the images on their online profiles feature band members. Their music (although a little shy in the production department) sounds intriguing indeed: vintage sounding lounge-soul floating in a psych-pop sea, with vocals full of character – can’t go wrong with that! Give this song below, entitled ‘Body Control,’ a few minutes, it gets better and better…

Comprised of Ella Zoller, Gabriel Stanley and producer Champagne Dave, Prom is a Brooklyn based band that’s been active since 2012 and call their music "Dreamwave" – just like the famous massage chair! Admittedly, the trio is not entirely foreign to that concept, since it can be said that their slow, uber-melodic male-female vocal lines feel like a massage for the soul – and considering their number of plays, it seems to rub many people… the right way! The band released a debut EP about one year ago entitled ‘Keeping Company,’ featuring their popular single ‘Flickers.’ Since then the’ve been focusing on recording new material and playing live. After a very busy July, when they opened for for High Waisted and Carah Faye (of Shiny Toy Guns), they will be celebrating the release of their debut album with a live show at at Baby’s All Right on August 23rd. Check out their brand new single ‘Let it Out,’ streaming below.