Brenna Ehrlich and Morgan Enos are the driving force behind Brooklyn-based spooky garage-pop project Medium Mystic. Their debut 2016 demo progresses from energetic power pop (“This Is A Head”) to slower (and eerier) tracks like “Halloween,” whose lyrics reveal a more emotional side (“Hey, you can say goodbye in summer / then you can fall asleep. / Would I take care of you? Would you take care of me?”). The band is building up to the release of their debut LP and recently unveiled a new track on their Soundcloud profile entitled "When The Shutter Snaps" (streaming). Medium Mystic will be performing within the Northside Fest at Pete’s Candy Store on June 8th. – Lilly Milman, photo by Katie Chow

With new single “Easy To Lose,” electro-pop artist Ryan Egan has further sculpted his personal and sophisticated fusion of mellow and dancey tunes. The song follows his self-produced single “Finest Hour” and debut EP "Postures," which introduced us to his signature harmonizing vocal lines on top of entrancing electronic arrangements. The track captures the dark-pop and layered synth elements of his previous releases, while also crystallizing Egan’s melancholic voice and its ability to sustain emotional lyrics. The New York based artist will be playing Berlin NYC on June 19 along with Quiet Luke. – Tafari Lemma

Born and raised on the South Shore of Massachusetts, folksy songwriter Terence Ryan strives to capture the beauty in the melancholy of his daily life in his lyrics and his videos. His job at an industrial warehouse is a sharp contrast to his drive home along the ethereal beachy coastline where he grew up, informing his songwriting in a way that may resonate to many of those who experienced life in small town. While his older videos (“Stranger than Fiction”) strive to showcase the latter, his newest creation "Mean it" (which Ryan wrote, recorded, produced, and directed) is set in his workplace. In the video, streaming below, he marries his creativity with his position in working class America using his soulful voice and a production that blends rock and R’n’B. 

New York based artist and drummer Jon Epcar has crafted a memorable project in his record Morning Drone, which was released this January as his solo debut. The album exemplifes Epcar’s wide variety of drumming styles and the melodic and atmospheric compositions of his band, as heard in the jazz-driven track, “Northern Exposure”. Including guest appearences by other prominent local artists such as fellow Broadway guitarist Zane Carney, and jazz pianist Isamu McGregor, the instrumental album also marks his first production effort. With his vast history of drumming with artists like Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and numerous shows on Broadway, Epcar emerges in this record as a multi-faceted talent. – Tafari Lemma

In their newest LP, ‘Bethel, ME,’ Connecticut-based four-piece Young Lincoln capture the essence of a New England upbringing (sweet, with a bit of obligatory angst)—their lyrics aren’t overly sentimental, maintaining a roughness around the edges in songs like “three years” (“Ten beers in I always think I’ve had enough / to have one more… / I miss the way my parents sang at night.”) Lead singer Andy King’s vocals also add a grungey tone that fits them more comfortably in pop punk than anything else, giving an edge to even the most vulnerable lines (“I still watch you sleep sometimes.”) – Lilly Milman

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Brooklyn rockers Rips made a name for themselves in the local scene with the sheer number of shows they’ve played since forming in 2013, and a sound that blends rawness and melody. Their debut, self-titled LP took a while to take shape but is finally being released this summer. In their preview single “Malibu Entropy” (streaming below,) they maintain the fuzzy, punhcy sound and casual attitude of garage rock, while adopting dreamy melodies and guitar progressions reminiscent of fellow Brooklynites Real Estate. The record release party will be hosted at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on July 1st at 8 pm. – Lilly Milman

Amherst-based Humble Digs describe themselves as “a non-stop feel-good machine.” This is definitely true for their EP A Love Song, where they marry folk rock with psychedelic undertones. The band is unapologetically easy-listening, crafting songs with soft vocals and often jazzy instrumentals (especially in songs like “Better Game,” which has a substantial intro before any vocals come in). After a brief stay at Disc Jam Music Festival in Stephentown, NY, they will be returning to New England to play at the Radio Bean in VT on July 22nd.-Lily Milman

Local funk-rock band Cosmonaut Radio along with the up and coming Clinton Hill venue, C’mon Everybody, has organized the first annual M.I.N.I (Music in Nine Installments) Festival, set for 6/24. The festival will feature a diverse lineup of nine New-York based indie artists including the hip-hop band Track Seven Band and the acid punk artist The U.S. Americans. The festival is intended to become a yearly appointment with local emerging artists – and, as such, it has The Deli’s blessings! Check out all the bands involved in the playlist crafted for the event, streaming below. – Tafari Lemma

In their debut EP, "Room City," (released in January), five-piece Brooklyn band London Plane manages to mix a variety of styles, blending ’80s alt-pop with the dreamy, synth driven atmospheres popular in today’s indie-pop. The ghost of Blondie and Grace Jones can almost be heard in single "Parting Days", where the slightly dark arrangement complements the sophisticated and warm vocals of lead singer, CiCi James. London Plane will be performing on June 17th, at Berlin NYC, alongside fellow local artists Controller and Tyger. – Tafari Lemma

In their debut LP ‘Never Enough,’ NYC’s Public Access TV showcases the ability to re-elaborate several decades of rock’n’roll and pop music into something new and exciting. John Eatherly’s vocals perfectly adapt to each different atmosphere alternating between raucous (in garagey ‘Patty Peru – streaming) and bouncy (in ’80s influenced ‘End of an Era‘). This summer, they are heading back to London to play The Lexington and Hyde Park, stopping by Philly’s Made in America, and finally landing at The Meadows Festival at Citi Field. – Lilly Milman, photo by Jonah Freud

Almost everyone not into mainstream country is guilty of saying that "all country music sounds the same," and the Nashville scene would be certainly found guilty in feeding that prejudice. However, Teddy and the Rough Riders are living proof that there are noble exceptions. We are premiering here their single “Goldmine,” a track that swims in twang, but also features an inventiveness in its composition and production that makes it almost Beatlesque. Drawing from a wide range of influences that include elements of psychedelic pop, Dixieland rock, and classic country crooning, Teddy and The Rough Riders have developed a sound that’s at once soothing and intriguing, rootsy but forward looking. Whatch out for their debut LP, coming out later in 2017.

Born in Stockholm and based in New York, recording artist, dancer and model KISSEY is no stranger to change. During her career, she has gone from electro-soul incarnations (“Caos”) to borderline industrial ones (“I Don’t Need Anything” and “DISTORTION”). Now, she’s back with another song that doesn’t fit into a genre as neatly, confirming a laudable inclination to think outside the box. In the video for “Unplug,” (streaming below) she appears like a modern-day Beloved (she is even pictured dragging an ax in one scene) — an ethereal apparition dancing around a rural, snowy landscape. (In case you haven’t noticed, she’s got the moves!) The song itself combines the dreamy drone of earlier works with a plodding beat reminiscent of the early trip hop days. Her upcoming EP, ‘Unplug the Delusional Monkey’, will be out on June 30th with Fool’s Gold Records. – Lilly Milman