The release of duo Nalani & Sarina’s third full-length LP The Circle (May 2018) has brought these NJ-bred twins to the forefront of the DIY indie pop scene. As young songwriters, their masterful fusion of soul, rock, and mainstream pop combined with their familial ties has given their music a reputation for being both impressive as well as deeply personal. Their hit single “Young and Inexperienced” off their latest record has gained huge popularity due to its catchy folk rock influence, and has grown to be considered a representation of the millennial voice for its enlightened lyrics on post-college employment. Many of their songs have a witty storytelling charm that reflects on coming-of-age contents, supplementing their multi-faceted genre blend with meaningful and relatable lyrics. Their collaboration has fused their unique individual tastes to create music that has both traditional and contemporary roots, while gripping audiences with their appealing and accessible young flair. Check out Nalani & Sarina’s newest album The Circle on Spotify and stream their earlier recordings on Soundcloud. – Rebecca Carroll

Legendary, Brooklyn-born, mystery schizo-prog-rock musician Von LMO – née Frank Cavallo – was supposed to perform tonight at Market Hotel in Bushwick, but he was hit by a car making an illegal turn, and his pelvis was shattered – now he faces multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation to walk again. Von LMO is on Medicare and his expenses are only covered to a fraction of the astronomical medical expenses he faces

To help the artist offset his expenses, the show organizers have turned the event intpo a benefit to raise funds towards Von LMO’s substantial medical expenses, and a celebration of his music. A gofund me campaign is also underway.

Another NYC legend, Martin Rev from seminal ’70s electro-punk band Suicide, will now headline the show, featuring also James Chance & the Contortions. More info and tickets here.

NYC’s Water From Your Eyes fuse post punk and dancey grooves in All A Dance, their latest release and first for DIY imprint Exploding In Sounds records. Made up of Nate Amos (This Is Lorelei) and Rachel Brown (thanks for coming), the duo has been making music under the WFYE moniker for just around two years but in that time they’ve put out an impressive amount of music–two full-lengths and several EPs–and carved out their own sonic space. Amos’ dense mixes layer ‘80s-inspired bass lines and jumpy hooks over Brown’s wandering vocals, finding fresh retro-futuristic sounds that are just as uplifting as they are introspective. Water From Your Eyes seamlessly blend elliptical rhythms with twee-like melodies–resulting in a new-wave sound that’s equal parts entrancing and charming. Their songs can clock in at over or around 6 minutes; they’re easy to get lost in. But no matter how hypnotizing the tracks may be, they never fail to keep a steady grasp on the listener’s attention. Keep an ear on them, and don’t miss the opportunity to see them live on 12/2 at Baby’s All Right, where Water From Your Eyes are performing alongside Patio for Poppies’ tour return. – Sara Nuta

Brooklyn’s Taja Cheek is an experimental singer/instrumentalist whose classical music education inspires her solo project L’Rain‘s rich, ambient sound. While creating her debut, self-titled record in 2017, Taja’s burgeoning music career was intersected by the passing of her mother Lorraine, which affected L’Rain’s lyrical content with themes centered on the subject of grief – as heard in tracks like “Stay, Go (Go, Stay)” and “Heavy (But Not in Wait)”. Her tracks, however, wander through mystifying and dreamy territories in the aim to blend morbidity with cheery effervescence. Listening to L’Rain’s is the aural equivalent of gazing into a sonic kaleidoscope composed by a multitude of synths, samples, and effects, concocting a wistful carpet blanketed with her lush, whispery vocals. You can experience the L’Rain’s poignant and dreamy music live, at Sunnyvale on October 19. -Rebecca Carroll

Fitting to its name “New Constellation” is a floaty, spacious new track by Atlas Engine—it’s also a notable step away from the more energized and guitar heavy work that Nick LaFalce has previously released under this name. Synthesizers lead the way with an echoing drum beat providing the pulse of the track. The voice and guitars of LaFalce remain, but heavier in reverb with the vocals tending toward falsetto and the guitar leaning toward subtle and spacious melodies. The bright echo of guitar picking is perhaps the only contrast to the dreamy, nighttime mood Atlas Engine invokes here. Listen to “New Constellation” below. – Cameron Carr

Sean Henry, formally known as Boy Crush, disappeared into the ether for a few years. After this 2015 release, there was nothing new from the New York-based artist for a while. The silence came to an end this past summer, with the release of 10-track album Fink, which may make you regret those three years without new music even further. Fink has a shaggy sound to match the floppy hair of the man behind it, and it fits right in with other artists on the Double Double Whammy’s roster. It’s loose, at times sloppy, but in that endearing way that sucks you in. You can check out Henry’s vibe in person this November, as he is performing a few shots. That includes a stop at the Park Church Co-op in Brooklyn on November 5. – Chris Morgan

The folk songs of The Brother Brothers feel like restored photograph full of subtle emotions and forgotten stories. A lush romanticism has been stitched into every note, and the warm instrumentation feels like part of a long lineage of Americana songwriting that’s been passed down from generation to generation. On the latest single "Red and Gold," from their new album Some People I Know, the duo strips down the sound to the bare minimum without losing the sentimental impact generated by the song. The record drops Oct. 19 on Compass Records and the band is scheduled to play an album release show at Union Pool on that same date. -Tucker Pennington

It’s odd that no bands have successfully attempted to replicate the sound of the Grateful Dead in the 2010s yet. You’d think a band with that devout a following would have more imitators, especially since Dead & Company are still touring to this day. Garcia Peoples are here to fill the void of psychedelic jam bands in the 21st century; through combining extended songs with dynamic production flourishes and vivid songwriting, the group finds that forward-thinking sweet spot of freewheeling spirituality and unbridled rock personality. It’s a welcome return to Deadhead ideals without desecrating the grave by way of relying on nostalgia. You can check out the group’s trippy rock at Alphaville on Nov. 2. –Tucker Pennington

New York City band Deaf Poets recently released a new addition to their discography with new EP Change and Bloom. The new collection may contain less material than their previous full-length records, but it certainly does not make less of an impact. Building on their core sound of heavy, distorted guitars, the tracks hit with a wall of dialed-up noise that blends classic rock and 60s psych influences with a modern, hard hitting twist. Their sound leans on their raucous drums and vocals, forging a style that is carefully produced but executed with grungy, carefree aggression. Do not, however, mistake this group’s recklessness with thoughtlessness. After their relocation from Miami back to their NYC roots, their need to produce a new path for themselves carried enlightened ideas of progression and self-discovery into their latest work.  Tracks like “Change and Bloom” and “Cigarette” give a look into this band’s continual development, and a listen into the inner torment of feeling displaced and confined – but for these guys, there’s no better therapy than getting on stage and causing a sonic riot.  If that’s up your alley, check out Deaf Poets’ release show at Brooklyn’s Alphaville on 10.27. –Rebecca Carroll 

After twelve years on tour with folk-rock outfit Lake Street Dive, former bassist Bridget Kearney made a rapid transition into a self-made singer/songwriter, initiated by the speedy release of her debut single, “Won’t Let You Down.” This title also serves as the name of her first full-length LP, released in March 2017. Though slower tracks such as “Love Doctor” and "Nothing Does It” give glimpses of her previous group’s rootsy leanings, Bridget’s new sound primarily adheres to the glimmering and catchy traits of indie pop. Songs like “So Long” and “Who Are We Kidding” provide a nonchalant atmosphere to this record and pull her bright energy down to a more relaxed level. The echoey effect she applies to her gorgeous melodies combined with the tracks’ pleasant instrumental landscape gives this collection an enticing, almost seductive feel. You can catch Bridget Kearney playing Union Pool on October 19, and stream her debut album Won’t Let You Down on Bandcamp. – Rebecca Carroll

In 2016, New York band Mustardmind released the six-song EP Peep; they are back today with a double single featuring singles "Saving Face" and "Bad Juju" – we are premiering the latter here right now, while the former premiered on The Wild Honey Pie yesterday. The quartet calls themselves alternative rock, and their music does hearken back to the early ’90s, when the term became prominent through the grunge explosion. However, six-minute sprawling track "Bad Juju," with its use of synthesizers and ethereal vocals, showcases a more complex sound betraying several other influences from the ’80s to today. These two songs will be on a new EP released early in 2019, so if you like what you hear keep Mustardmind filed away for the new year. – Chris Morgan

In their new EP Before You Go (set for release October 5), bi-coastal duo EXES have expanded their exploratory indie-pop collection. The physical distance between these artists is certainly not palpable in this collection of cohesive, neatly produced tracks. Integrating snapshots of recent thoughts and experiences into their new work, EXES has merged their characteristic mellow pop with a noticeably more candid lyrical approach, showcasing the growth of this duo both musically as well as personally.  The duo’s sound is driven by the soft, melodic vocals of Brooklyn-based singer Allie McDonald and the edgy electronic beats of LA-based producer Mike Derenzo, resulting in a soulful interpretation of clean electronica. Single “Before you Break” explores a playful staccato vocal style that, combined with a slow-burning drum track and layers of subtle ambiance, reveals the meticulous production elements of their recent work. Many of their new songs contain very visual and often experience-based lyrics. “Peckham” vividly evaluates abstract subjects such as romance, hopes and fears, showcasing this band’s equal consideration of both sound and substance. You can stream EXES’ Before You Go in full right now via Live Nation’s Ones To Watch, and be sure to keep an eye out for the official release this Friday. -Rebecca Carroll