The eclectic eight-piece As The Sparrow creates music that is instantly classic, as seen on their newest release Vacation Forever. The album thrives off of ironic twists, often pairing sardonic lyricism with a surprisingly warm sound, bolstered by full harmonies, fun violins, and quirky synths. As The Sparrow will be celebrating the release of this edgy, yet dance-friendly album at Thunder Road in Somerville on June 22. Until then, stream the full LP below. – Lilly Milman, photo by Erin DeFuria Stark

The debut full-length release, Songs of The Saxophones, by — you guessed it — husband-and-wife band The Saxophones is a tender and timeless piece of work. Filled with reflective and vulnerable lyrics (like “I know it’s not supposed to stay; / but still, I want my way.” from “Aloha,” and “I’m starting to lose / I’m falling asleep and I am sorry again” from “Singing Desperately,”) this work flickers like a candle flame. Sonically delicate and endlessly pleasant, this is a debut to remember. The Saxophones will play their next show in Los Angeles on July 14 at The Hotel Cafe. Stream the full album below. – Lilly Milman

The newest album, Vive L’Acadie!, by the Maine-based Americana staple group The Mallett Brothers Band is a simple and effective exploration of the soul. Blending southern influences with a New England state of mind, the group creates refreshing and rugged country rock that interrogates the genre while keeping a good tune — as exemplified but the opening and title track (streaming below). The Mallet Brothers Band is currently on tour and will be playing at The Lakeshore House in Monson, Maine on June 23. – Lilly Milman

Boston singer-songwriter Will Dailey makes the type of introspective, feel-good folk that sticks in your thoughts. The single “It Already Would Have Not Worked Out By Now” (streaming below) off of his most recent album Golden Walker, released June 1, only further proves his ability to stay relevant as a songwriter. The melodic track is reminiscent of Vance Joy in style, but with a baroque build that is undeniably that of Will Dailey. Fresh off a string of local Boston shows, Dailey is now on his way to play the Bath Heritage Festival in Bath, Maine on June 30. After that, he will be hitting Nextival in Crownsville, Maryland on July 14. – Lilly Milman

Perhaps what’s most intriguing about the Boston indie rock quartet Dutch Tulips is how quickly they establish themselves as the Real Thing. Listening to the first few minutes of their debut self-titled EP is enough to catch onto the infectious and fun fuzzy jangle rock. Where others may fall victim to the cringe-filled symptoms of trying too hard with a track named “Love You Bae,” the teflon rockers are somehow able to skirt by with a smile, a great hook and an earnest delivery. Dutch Tulips are preparing to kick off a tour at the Downtown Stage in Willimantic Connecticut on June 21 and will be on the road through July 1. Stream the full EP below. – Lilly Milman




The new single “marbles” (streaming) by the San Jose duo of pop-punkers known as The Mystic Decade packs a fun melody and an earnest delivery into a three minute timespan. The surfy guitar arrangements are a breath of fresh air, especially as they take control in the last twenty seconds of the track. The Mystic Decade recently finished up a four-part YouTube documentary series about their band called Reality_In_Monochrome, showcasing their affinity for filmmaking. – Lilly Milman

Every year, emerging artists flock to Brooklyn for Northside Festival — the annual showcase that also happens to be New York City’s longest-running music and innovation festival. Starting on June 7, the festival will be celebrating its tenth anniversary with events scattered across Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick. With over 300 bands performing (many simultaneously,) creating a schedule of shows can be quite overwhelming. That’s why The Deli NYC is here to help out! Below is a list of some of our critic’s picks, a multi-genre and multi-venue selection of NYC-based artists including everything from the jangly garage rock of El Silver Cabs to the R&B of Gemma. Still can’t decide where to go? Stream a playlist of the artists’ top songs below. – Lilly Milman (Pictured, a photo of El Silver Cabs by Jeanette D. Moses)

Thursday, June 7
Gemma @ Elsewhere Roof, 7 pm
Peaer @ Knitting Factory, 8 pm
The Rizzos @ The Gutter, 10:40 pm
El Silver Cabs @ The Gutter, 11:20 pm

Friday, June 8
Madam West @ Pet Rescue, 8:30 pm
Buck Meek @ Rough Trade, 9:05 pm
Ben Pagano & The Space Machine @ Little Skips, 9:30 pm
Def.GRLS @ Little Skips, 10 pm

Saturday, June 9
Huck @ Trans-Pecos, 1:15 pm
Lola Pistola @ Knitting Factory, 1:45 pm
Anna Altman @ Trans-Pecos, 9 pm
Belle-Skinner @ Gold Sounds Bar Stage, 9:30 pm
Bodega @ Our Wicked Lady, 9:30 pm
Human People @ Trans-Pecos, 9:45 pm

Earlier this year, The Deli SF had the pleasure of premiering the single “Doctor’s Doctor” from San Francisco’s jangly psych outfit Locus Pocus. Now, the five-piece is back — but this time, with a full-length, self-titled LP, which The Deli SF is happy to be premiering once again.

Collectively, the band explained: “Locus Pocus (originally titled Cool Color Happiness) is about finding meaning and wellness amidst feelings of isolation and doom.” Although the same psychedelic side that appears in earlier releases comes out in tracks like “Game To Lose” and “Cool Color Happiness,” others — like opening track “Getting Creepy” or the central “Big White Car” — set a decidedly more punk tone for this apocalyptic record (note: the release date, June 6 at 6 a.m.) This fast-paced, frenzied release is a very welcome surprise from a band that has already managed to create a name for itself in the Bay Area scene. Locus Pocus will be playing an album release show at Cafe du Nord on June 29. – Lilly Milman

Stream the record in its entirety below, before it becomes available on all streaming platforms later today.

On their debut EP Minimum Frowny, the San Francisco-based trio Meant to Bend make the unpredictable accessible. Each track attests to the band’s impeccable musicianship, making heavy use of key changes, frantic guitar licks, and intricate harmonies. From the wonderfully crunchy punk sensibilities of “With the Slope” to the earnest and emotional “Crystal Intent,” Meant to Bend cram in something for everyone in a span of only four tracks. With this project, Nathan Driver (percussion,) Gaku Kelliher (bass/vox,) and Aamir Mauladad (guitar/vox) have beautifully reimagined post-punk, leaving listeners with just one question: When’s the full-length LP coming out? Stream the full EP below in preparation for their show at Milk Bar on June 6. – Lilly Milman

The debut EP entitled Burns From the Rope from Boston-via-Mystic trio Fish House drips the cool and collected confidence of seasoned vets. It’s evident from the first track, “Young People” (streaming below), that there is a certain chemistry pushing this project forward. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that the three members — Jake Benavidez (guitar, bass, vox), Kyle Torr-Brown (drums, vox), and Adam Jacey (guitar, bass, vox) — have known each other for a little over a decade. These tracks are summery without being overbearing; while undeniably upbeat, there’s definitely nothing forced here. The foot-tapping, head-bobbing, soul-infused indie rock of Fish House is not forcing you to feel anything, but rather giving you a gentle push towards the idea of taking a bad situation and making something beautiful out of it. Catch their next show at Bella Luna in Boston on June 7. – Lilly Milman, photo by Carter Howe

Throwin’ Bo’s is shaking it up this month, with an R&B and hip-hop influenced lineup that leans heavily towards the experimental. From the moody and mesmerizing avant-soul of LA-via-Boston-via-UK-via-Hong Kong songstress Cehryl (pronounced Cheryl), to the eerie and unsettling flow of San Francisco’s own Mr. Yote, to the infectious bounce of Oakland’s Just Rese, this may be the best showcase yet. If you’re still unconvinced, the proof is in the playlist, which you can stream below. – Lilly Milman

This event will be on Thursday, June 7 at 9 pm. Throwin’ Bo’s is a monthly 21+ showcase held at The Elbo Room. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. RSVP on Facebook here.

“I’m so dumb / I don’t think before I speak,” proclaim the opening lines of “Cool Me,” the first track off the self-titled debut LP by Stamford, Connecticut’s Chousand. The rest of the 10 track debut follows the same route of self-deprecation so blunt that it inexplicably makes you smile, in true pop punk fashion. From the aggressively careless “Subaru” to the anxiety-ridden “I’m All Gums,” this album is a triumph — a tongue-in-cheek salute to shouting with a beer in your hand and a smile on your face. They will be playing their album release show at The Shamrock in Waterbury, CT on June 16th at 7 pm. Until then, stream all of Chousand below. – Lilly Milman