Connecticut pop-punkers Chousand are dedicated to bringing you catchy, self-depricating songs about chasing girls, getting drunk, and growing up.  Too bad they’re Ten Years Too Late, or at least that’s what the title of their latest EP suggests.  Reminiscent of bands like old-school Blink 182 and The Vandals, Chousand will bring you back to the glory days of pop-punk with infectious guitar riffs, headbanging breakdowns, and endearing humor.  Check out their high-energy live show at The Shamrock in Waterbury, CT on 12/30, with Sex Bomb, Bearstronaut, and Andy Shea. –Brian Varneke

Brainchild of Matt Bowker, The Smallest Town Ensemble is not an easy band to track down, but if you’re lucky enough to come across their EP, Out East, you’ll be telling all of your friends about the gem you found.  A love letter of sorts to the Somerville, MA community, Out East paints a portrait of urban life that anyone inhabiting a cramped city apartment can relate to.  From country/folk twang to brass choir harmonies and gospel musings, Bowker weaves through a multitude of genres, creating a beautiful and poignant tapestry.  Each track features a unique instrumentation, masterfully tailored to the needs of the song.  Spend some time with this album and keep your eyes open for more from Matt Bowker and friends. –Brian Varneke

Stumped on what to get that special someone this holiday season?  Stuff their stocking with some power metal from Thunderforge.  The western Mass heavy metal quintet released their EP, Call of the Conqueror, earlier this year, bringing into the world five tracks of face-melting guitar work and soaring vocals from frontman Adam Morini.  The album is an excellent showcase of the bands talents, ranging from driving, double-bass riddled mayhem to softer, dynamic sections that illustrate the band’s diverse capabilities.  Check these guys out at Koto in Salem, MA on 12/23 for a "Killer Robot Xmas" toy and canned food drive, also featuring Frostbite, Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band, and Green Bastard. -Brian Varneke

Listening to The FORZ’s sophomore album Running From The Past, it’s hard not to see the irony in the title.  The brain child of songwriting duo Cole Tyler and Anthony Graziano, the Boston power pop quartet has embraced a wonderfully Beatles-esque/surf rock dynamic, bringing a modern energy to a tried and true formula of quality songwriting and simple, catchy melodies.  All four members share the title of lead singer, adding an extra layer of variety in their vocal stylings.  If you’re in the mood for some high-energy nostalgia, help Boston’s fab four ring in the New Year at Sally O’Brien’s on 12/31. -Brian Varneke

You’ve undoubtedly heard the musical elements and influences that make up Diablogato‘s distinct sound, but you have never heard them put together quite like this.  Fusing together rockabilly, punk, folk/Americana, and "gothic southern swamp darkness", Diablogato creates a unique potpourri that is all of those things and more (think Josh Homme meets The Stray Cats, with a bari sax thrown in for good measure).  If you’re in the mood for some dirty, squealing, high energy rock n roll, jump in your Cadillac and head down to Firehouse 13 in Providence on 12/16, where they’ll share the stage with Cactus Attack and Tiger Man Whoa! –Brian Varneke

New Hampshire songstress Lina Tullgren‘s Wishlist is a raw, vulnerable exploration of love, growth, and heartbreak.  Utilizing the warmth and character of analog, Tullgren invents a reflective melancholic sound that is both original and inescapably personal, sacrificing technical perfection for emotional connection.  With songs that feel more stream of consciousness than solid in form, Wishlist allows the listener a peek through the looking glass of what it is to be young and what it means to grow up.  Lina is a unique and mezmerizing voice, and we can’t wait to hear what else she has to say. –Brian Varneke

Simple, catchy melodies, surprisingly incongruent lyrical content and the occasional calypso flavor, makes Boston indie pop-trio Twin Chameleon a stand-out act.  As you listen to their self-titled debut EP, it’s difficult not to make comparisons to bands like Bombay Bicycle Club or early-era Vampire Weekend.  However, Twin Chameleon definitely has their own character and is quickly mastering the art of engaging pop anthems.  From the beach-vibe of "Spring Break" to the unique vocal soundscape of "Counting Sheep", each track has something different to offer.   Check them out as they take the stage at McGann’s Irish Pub with Makutu, The Maxims, and Floorcloud on 12/9. –Brian Varneke

A driving, hallucinogenic, rock n roll adventure awaits, courtesy of Boston trio, Violet Intent.  Alternating between atmospheric soundscapes and balls-out rock, their latest release, Our Feature Presentation, is a nostalgic ride back to 60s psychedelic culture with a unique, modern twist.  Violet Intent is the perfect soundtrack to your next night of debauchery.  Check them out as they rock The Plough and Stars on 12/14, with Tall Teenagers. –Brian Varneke

Filled with highly charged emotional content, a fully utilized dynamic range, and engaging, vocal melodies from Julia Maree, Boston-based folk-rockers Boketto the Wolf ensure that their formidable debut EP, Sleepless, lives up to its title.  Leading with its stand-out track, "Float Back to Me", which revitalizes the lost art of the 6/8 power ballad, Sleepless is a neatly packaged, 5-track album that perfectly sums up the reach and character of the band.  This haunting debut ensures that you will be "floating back" to it time and time again.  Catch Boketto the Wolf, joined by Drew Angus, Alternate Weekends, and The Silent Wild at P.A.s Lounge on Saturday, 12/9. –Brian Varneke

July 7th is your chance to catch the self-described "eclectic sonic-punch rock and experimental folk band," Chamelon Culture. The group prides itself on their ability to take the listener through a musical journey, constantly teetering between slow and mellow parts that seamlessly transition into high energy peaks, combined with sophisticated arrangements and intricate lyrics. Since their full-length album was released in January 2016, the band has being playing frequently in they home town of Boston, but recently also performed single dates in New York and Chicago. You can prepare for the upcoming show by taking a listen to their Bandcamp page, featuring catchy and pulsating songs like "Nothing Special," which opens with sparse strumming and is then layered with another guitar, before culminating in a huge punch of all the instruments playing at once. The music has very danceable and high energy moments, which is promising for a fun show. More infoand tickets can be found here. 

Most of the time, The Deli focuses on the immense talent of the performers in the New England region, but what about the people controlling the knobs and microphones, working hard to make sure the performers sound their best? I decided to turn the spotlight behind the mixing-board for once and shine a little light on a (currently) local engineer & producer, Pablo San Martin.

Born in London, growing-up in Chile, and studying sound engineering in France, Boston-based recording engineer and producer Pablo San Martin has been interested in recording music for over a decade. “I started playing drums with a metal band when I was 13 years old”, says San Martin.  “…I was that nerd in the band that thought the best thing to do was to do it on our own. I started recording my band and realizing that the world of recording and production was extremely varied and I enjoyed it more than playing drums. I’ve always liked heavy and deep sounds, that’s when I started to get into electronic music.”

San Martin currently has a studio inside M-Works Mastering in Cambridge, where he does most of his work. He has helped a variety of artists on different projects both locally and through collaborations abroad. “I keep a close relationship with some of my clients from Europe”, says San Martin. “[T]hey actually do come to the USA to work with me–which is amazing!”

For more info on Pablo and his studio, visit his website.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Steep Leans’ latest effort, Grips on Heat, reminds me of a drug-induced dream sequence from the movies–or just that feeling you get when you’re still awake at 4am and questioning what it is exactly that you’re doing with your life. A great combination of lo-fi production, floating vocals and fuzzy guitars, this record certainly deserves to find its way into your weekly listening rotation.

Check out the Steep Leans Facebook page for more info about the band.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)