Here at The Deli we like to reward unconventinal artists – although unconventionality must be matched by talent – and New Zealand composer/musician/producer Leila Adu definitely belongs to this category. Her new EP "Scary Love Monsters" presents us with six unpredictable tracks (that’s a trendy adjective in these Trumpish days, isn’t it?), fluctuating between pop, weird jazz, dark lyrics and brainy experimentation at times reminiscent of Brian Eno’s early records. Not a music scene novice, Leila has been making records for over ten years now, and showed displayed a remarkably original sound since her 2003 debut full length ‘Dig A Hole.’ She’ll be celebrating the release of the EP tonight (03.25) at Cake Shop.

Kevin Garrett – who will be performing at Mercury Lounge tomorrow (03.25) – has emerged in 2015 as one of NYC’s most prominent young songwriters. Unapologetically moody, soulful at heart, incurably ballad-prone, Kevin’s songs have the aura of old time classics, but their production process is as modern as it gets, centered – as often the case these days – around the artists’ home studio. Our sister blog Delicious Audio asked Garrett a few questions about it and the creative process it triggers – see link below.

Delicious Audio: Interview with Kevin Garrett about Inspiration and Gear

If pop punk with math influences is your thing, you may want to check out Brooklyn’s Manic Pixi at Rough Trade on April 5th. The band just unveiled single "Iron Heart" (streaming below), titletrack of their soon to be released sophomore album. Drummer Emmett Ceglia kinda steals the scene here, with precision and speed that are nothing short of mind blowing, supporting with explosive energy lead singer Kat Hamilton’s in your face vocals and the guitar and bass often intricate arrangements.

Bringing a technical touch to grunge-tinged garage rock, Brooklyn via Boston trio Slothrust offers a lot that a listener can latch onto. Lead singer, Leah Wellbaum, delivers her lyrics with angst, passion, and subtle sarcasm that permeates each song distinctly. Humor and dark themes coalesce seamlessly as the band’s personality is put on full display in front of spot-on musicianship. While the band has been a slow burn in terms of popularity, their 2013 album ‘Of Course You Do‘ reached many hearts, displaying the talent, charm, and uniqueness of this group. After three years, they are due for a new record. –  Lee Ackerley

Greg Gonzales relocated to Brooklyn at the end of 2015, and the move seems to have proved beneficial. Since then, his uber-mellow, twangy, dreamy band Cigarettes After Sex has developed noteworthy buzz, thanks to their beautiful new record ‘Affection,’ and to powerfully intimate live performances. Greg’s voice, magnetic and androgynous, conveys an aura of ambiguity and mystery to his ghostly material, although his thick mustache/beird combo definitely fights the bi-gender appeal. The band can be experienced live at Rough Trade on June 1st.

Just a few weeks ago we spent some positive words about Indian influenced psychedelic NYC band Humeysha, and it’s great to see them gain some traction – the quartet will play Baby’s All Right twice this week: tomorrow (03.23) at 9pm opening for Monika and on Friday 03.25 supporting HEEMS. It also unveiled a new video for single "For Love, from the Law," streaming below, from their self titled debut LP.

Chris Hess and Adam Winn of the psych-pop duo Swimm, have brought their unique beach breeziness and pensive lyrics from Florida to LA. The recently released, Beverly Hells, is a sun-drenched relaxing ride through a genre-bending soundscape. Lo-fi, surf-infused, indie has never been more emotive. Fluidity and weightlessness pervade their sound but their live performances are also as visceral as it can get, and their SXSW 2016 shows confirmed that.

Two guitar electric rock with underground panache is always welcome in NYC. Bushwick-based rockers The Britanys present a quirky mix of those attributes via current single “Basketholder" (streaming). By securing producer Gordon Raphael for this track, the band was obviously looking for a similar sonic clarity found in his work with The Strokes nearly 16 years ago. Defined riffs morph from tandem structured second guitar chord progressions to chugging counter polyrhythms. Vocals are delivered in feel that appear to echo Lou Reed’s street lingo sensibility with Julian Casablancas’ early sonic effects. While lyrics lack cohesive storytelling and are seemingly unrelated ideas strung together, perhaps that’s the intended point. “Well I’ll be your basketholder – if you’ll be my girl” speaks to something more universally relatable than a simple literal statement. Incorporated within the three minute length are a number of catchy hooks that establish urgency through staccato drum patterns and double-time emphasis. The lyric “but I can’t take it much longer, this running around the city all day” leads up to the tracks ultimate structural peak, where music and words come together with emotional force. The band play a headline show at Baby’s All Right on April 20. – Dave Cromwell

One of most strikingly intense artists to come out of the Brooklyn scene in 2015, Okay Kaya has been releasing a series of mellow singles accompanied by simple but profoundly touching videos. The latest, entitled ‘I’m Stupid (but I Love You)," is streaming below. Okay Kaya is playing the SXSW House of Vans show at Austin’s Mohawk on Friday March 18. 

Eschewing mediocrity for a full-on queer punk motif, PWR BTTM is a punk duo sodomizing the status quo. Energetic and positive, the message of their music is uplifting, which pairs well with the group’s DIY showmanship that grips its live showcases. Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce plan on shocking at SXSW 2106; while their dynamic may be a bit off the beaten path, they don’t seem to care about what other people think, and there is nothing more punk rock than that. After the Austin festival, the band will embark on a tour in support of Ra Ra Riot. Check out their break out single "1994." – Lee Ackerley

The New York-based trio Sons of an Illustrious Father – comprised of Lilah Larson, Ezra Miller and Josh Aubin – are making their SXSW debut this year on the heels of their new album "Revol," released on March 9 – check out their video for single "Post-Future" below, and if you are going to be in Austin next week, you can see them at Maggie Mae’s on 03.16 and at Cheer Up Charlie’s on 03.19 – more info here.