Reminiscent of the late Elliot Smith, Big Phony is a New York City/LA based singer-songwriter who cantors with the somber vibrations of an angel in need of a hug. Gentle phrasing and stripped arrangements graced with melancholy lyrics about Jesus, drugs, and bullies paint the picture of his 2010 release of "Kicking Punching Bags." The religious imagery in several songs reflects his strong devotion to the church (he almost became a pastor). Realizing that was not the life for him, he turned back to music and wrote a collection of 15 songs (several which were re-recorded) that became his first release in 2008, "Straight to Bootleg Vol. 1." Although we do not recommend this album to those who get easily depressed, Big Phony’s music is peaceful, contemplative, and rich with fresh words to new ears. – Christina La Rocca

Milagres played a polished, assured set to a packed house this Thursday night at Mercury Lounge. The last time I saw this Brooklyn five-piece (about a year ago at the same venue) their stage demeanor was entirely different. Now, seasoned by months of tour including an overseas stint, the band plays with bolstered confidence. The common factor? Mercury Lounge was pretty darn full up for both shows. Milagres has and clearly has had a devoted following for quite some time – fans sang along, cheered for favs like “Here to Stay,” and vied to claim their stakes towards the front of the stage. Buoyant vocals and a precise but many-chambered sound, along with the occasional Downton Abbey reference, made for some foot-tapping good times. Milagres’ characteristic plinky, carrying keys in repeated measures lent the floaty indie pop a semi-danceable quality at points. A performance of new track, former UK iTunes exclusive “Quiet Street,” (stream it here) kept it interesting for those who have been there for the whole journey. – Corinne Bagish

Last weekend on the Studio at Webster Hall featured a string of "aggro" bands. We were expecting a bit of an edge from a band who changes a Z-word to an X-word… certainly the case for Xombie, who splits their sound between hip hop and metal. High energy and highly aggressive, the quintet features elements of both genres, flying V’s, crotch grabbing, hair flinging, and hand gesturing. Hey, can we call this this "Nu-Luddism wave"? (If you don’t get the reference, Luddism was a movement that preached to rage against technology, or… machines). – Meijin Bruttomesso

Cult of Youth is a post-industrial folk outfit whose grizzly vocals and complex instrumentation sets them apart from a lot of bands right now. The group consists of Sean Ragon, on lead vocals and multi-instruments, drummer Glenn Maryanski, bassist Micki Pellerano, and violinist Christiana Key. The combination of these multi-talented artists is a successful one, their overall sound showing underlying tones of western folk music, with their east-coast roots (the band originates in Brooklyn) still shining through. Because of their unique sound, Cult of Youth was recognized as a ‘Band to Watch’ by Stereogum in 2011. – Christine Cauthen

Brooklyn band Clouder (christened by our own Dave Cromwell as “bad boys of NYC indie rock”) will be performing a show at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn with Il Abanico, y/y and Spanish Prisoners.  Originally from Columbia, five piece band Il Abanico (pictured) recently moved to Brooklyn after residing in LA for the past year. They released first EP “Crossing Colors” in February 2011, a colorful example of multifaceted and unusual indie pop – stream the single "Keep Calling" below". y/y has been playing their brand of ambient psychedelia throughout Brooklyn and will be touring down to Austin during SXSW. Their first album “Peel and Shudder” was released in December. – Amanda Dissinger

After honing their craft with 2 EPs and a number of live shows, Brooklyn’s Farewell Republic are ready to officially release their full length debut LP “Burn the Boats.” Recorded by Michael Coffman, and produced by Farewell Republic members Sivan Jacobovitz and Brian Trahan, the album was mastered by Fred Kevorkian (White Stripes, The National) at Avatar Studios in NYC. Tracks like “Wake” present a blended mixture of fluid drumming and layered guitars which points to My Bloody Valentine as textural guideposts. “Gliss” delivers a punkier feel, with sneered Lydonesque vocal delivery, rough guitars and loose drumming, but this edge is soon lost on the first chorus change. This alternating structure repeats, with the more tense passages sonically enhanced by sharp speedy guitar strumming and sprinkled with piano notes via a 1920-era baby grand. “Just go away,” becomes the dominant repeated vocal phrase as the song is carried out via a simple piano line, ambient long-note guitar work and clattering percussion. The production emphasizes the eternal resolution of tension and release. Sarah Fensom adds dreamy female vocals for both of these tracks. “Burn The Boats” is set for release on itunes, bandcamp and vinyl on 2/21. A Record Release Party at the Mercury Lounge w/ Fantasmas is on 2/22, with an additional record release party presented by Monument Festival at DC9 (Washington, DC) to benefit DC Vote w/ Heads on Sticks the following night 2/23. – Dave Cromwell

Zlam Dunk has been pounding with the beat of the Austin music scene for a while now and with the release of their second album this April, "Balcones," it seems like the blood will keep flowing. Forcing me to relapse into the more aggressive songs of Cursive and the intricate entangled guitar playing of Minus the Bear, these guys reminded me of how well brains and brawn can be blended together when the right people get involved. You can check these guys out before their album release on March 2 at Stubb’s. Enjoy a track from their previous album, "Noble Ancestry", streaming below.  – Michael H

On their debut album "Not Nothing," (out in April 2011) Brooklyn gutter-glam punks Xray Eyeballs emphasize a sound that is rough and brittle. Songs like "Crystal," "Nightwalker" and "Egyptian Magician" feature a slightly off-kilter, almost twisted guitar intonation, mostly evident on rhythm chords. Additionally, when single note lines are called for, they are struck with a heavy (almost) twang to them. These kind of borderline quirky sonic details contribute to giving this band an identity that sets them apart from other artists in the same "nu-garage" scene. Pursuing the evolution of their sound, the band is releasing this month a follow-up titled "Splendor Squalor" (Kanine Records), professing to have a third album written as well. With newest members Sarah Baldwin (drums) and Liz Lohse (guitar/synths) joining founding members O.J. San Felipe (guitar/vocals) and Carly Rabalais (bass) one would expect this evolution to be significant. See tthem live at Glasslands on 02.28. – Read Dave Cromwell’s interview with the Xray Eyeballs here.

Robin Bacior‘s songs fuse intimate and honest lyrics with arrangement ranging from the "girl-with-guitar" to more complex orchestral productions, showcasing a musician who is well beyond her twenty four years. After the release of her 7” “Man Before Me” and her debut EP “Aimed for Night”, Robin released a full length “Rest Our Wings” via Consonants & Vowels Records and graduated from open mics to performing at venues like Spike Hill, Union Hall, and most recently (and again on February 19) Mercury Lounge. Her comforting orchestral folk is perfect for the winter season: a time of nostalgia and self-awareness yet utmost beauty. – Read Amanda Dissinger’s Q&A with Robin here.

Ain’t no party like a Ninjasonik party cause a Ninjasonik party drops bass. Telli and McFly are back again with their signature agro-lethargic cadences splayed over the dirtiest punk-hop beats born in Bushwick. No Swords or Masks may imply that they’ve cast aside their ninja ways, but the lead single “Turned up” doesn’t pull any punches. Chopped samples, strategic flows, and subsonic bass create an energizing mix guaranteed to get any crowd roundhousing and throwing their fists of fury skyward. Are you ready to enter the dojo? Go now, before they pick their swords up again. No Swords or Masks drops from Decon Records March 6. -=brokeMC

A few weeks ago Snowmine asked The Deli to curate one of their Pianos February residency nights (the 02.16 one). We went ahead and booked these bands. We will be there, hope to see you too! – Read Dave Cromwell interview with the band here. RSVP via Facebook here.

8.00 – CLEMENTINE AND THE GALAXY

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9.00 – GRASSFIGHT

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10.00 – PSYCHOBUILDINGS

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11.00 – SNOWMINE

The Deli’s Staff

Seattle natives Us on Roofs, the Cat From Hue, and the Mission Orange will take the stage at The Crocodile on Feb. 29 for an all ages show. The evening should end the month on a high note, promising a danceable combination of shoegaze and psych rock to get fans young and not-quite-as-young moving to some yet to be released tunes. Hey, it’s not every year you get 366 days to party – why not spend the extra night taking in some local favorites?

Doors: 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $5

All Ages; Bar with ID

– Kate Shepherd