Currently split between NYC, Portland and Tucson, Akron/Family emerged from the Brooklyn experimental folk scene of the mid 2000s. Over the past six years they have been noisily doing their own thing, including flirtations with free jazz, art pranks and some seriously out-there mysticism. Their latest album, released earlier this year, is called "S/T II:The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT", the meaning of which remains obscure even to the band. Though the three core members are now flung across the country, their approach to music remains as cohesively fresh as ever. The Deli caught up with founding Akron Miles Seaton, shortly before a rousing set at the Festival de Musique Émergente (FME) in northwestern Quebec. – Read Jeremy Simon interview with the band here.

The High Highs don’t attempt to make a grand entrance. They’re more subtle than that. But don’t mistake that for a lack of passion or talent, because their hooks are solid and their melodies are sweeping. These guys began as a studio project, and they don’t mess around. Their single “Open Season” features a video that perfectly compliments their sound, sun-washed and through a vintage lens. The song itself paints vivid pictures, then revokes them by saying "it’s all in your mind." The piano part is a bright accompaniment to an otherwise faded sound, a delicate contrast to the breakdowns. Their overall presentation channels a mellow demeanor, with strumming guitars and some lovely harmonizing, lyrics bittersweet and haunting. – Read Allison Levin’s interview with the band here.

Gavin Rhodes claims his band Lighouts is, “like Smashing pumpkins, when they were good.” There is a resemblance in Lightouts thick layered guitar and bass lines, playing in perfect precision, but Lightouts vocalist Greg Nelson’s disciplined tenor is a far cry from the nasal madness of Billy Corgan’s haunts and howls. Lightouts latest single “Eloise Suite” is like an  angsty and fresh walk through a 90s scrapbook, with fuzzy guitars supporting Nelson’s new wave vocal inflections. Catch Lightouts performing on September 22, at Union Hall in Brooklyn. – Ed Guardaro

Sleepy and quirkily unpredictable, Emil & Friends apply the Beck lesson to dream-pop. Emil Hewitt’s brainchild group is about to release its debut album "Lo & Behold" in October, and Rolling Stone today is premiering the first single entitled "Prescriptions" here. Emil & Friends will be playing their last date of a month long residency at Pianos on 09.15 (tonight).

Hot off nearly a month long stay in Europe working on a new album, Brooklyn sexy-pop duo Hank & Cupcakes are back in the States and eager to hit the ground running. Kicking off the band’s Fall tour with two dates at the Utica Music Fest in Utica, NY on September 15 and September 16, the two and a half week tour includes a number of dates supporting Jenny Owen Youngs, as well as a handful of one off shows, wrapping with a hometown show at Mercury Lounge on October 8.

NYC’s own The Majorleans sound a little like a mix of The Strokes and Cake (see embedded song "Kill You"), which is actually an interesting hybrid. Or maybe in the previous sentence you could replace "The Strokes" with "Lou Reed" – but either way, the idea is that their vocals are full of "NYC flavor". Most importantly though this is a band with good songs and nice album art, which is always a good thing (I had a friend who used to buy albums by random band simply because he liked the cover). Girls may also wonder if they are also good looking, which also helps in this darn business. Well… I’m a guy so you’ll have to judge for yourself. Perfect opportuinty: they’ll be celebrating the release of their second album "Damager and The Main Vin" on September 16 at Rockwood Music Hall’s Stage 2.

"Chesapeake", Rachel Yamagata‘s first studio album in three years is set for an October 11th release date through her own Frakenfish Records. The album features an eclectic collection of songs projecting Yamagata’s optimism and hopefulness, showcasing her sultry and smoky voice.

Brooklyn alt rockers Blackbells have been confirmed to play the DeLuna Music Festival in Pensacola, FL on October 14th, 2011 along with Weezer, Jane’s Addiction, The Shins, Cold War Kids, Girl Talk, Cut Copy and more. The band also has a new video of the song "This is Home"

Lost Boy will be releasing an 8-song EP on Old Flame Records on September 20 – the whole E.P. can be streamed here. We really enjoyed these guys live at our Christmas show last year, they successfully mix elements of some of the awesomest bands of the 90s – from the Pixies to Dinosaur Jr. to early Flaming Lips. Definitely catch them at Pianos on September 24 if you can.

Sure, their name is Grave Babies, they sing songs about death and decay, and they sound like they’ve been recorded through a mold covered basement wall.  Deep down, though, these guys are pop stars.  The music is hook-heavy and rife with pretty melodies and harmonies.  The Seattle group was started by singer/guitarist Danny Wahlfeldt who brought in Tyler Robinson on keys/drum machine, Keith Whiteman on drums, and bassist Mitch Saulsberry to round things out. The guys put out a single on Danish label Skrot Up, who then re-released the band’s first full-length, DEATHFACE, as well as a follow up, Blood Skull.  Two tracks from that record have since been released as a single, Pleasures, on Sup Pop imprint Hardly Art, who has been snatching up tons of quality Seattle bands as of late.  Don’t let the death motif fool you; this is pretty music.  Grave Babies is currently on a national tour that will finish October 1^st at the Funhouse with Unnatural Helpers and Stickers.  Check out the video for "Pleasures" below. 

Shenandoa Davis is very talented.  Her vocals are reminiscent of the quavering, fragile, about-to-break delivery of Joanna Newsom, and the compositions of her pieces are no less complex.  This is orchestral pop at its finest.  When Shenandoah allows her music to breathe a bit, when she’s not taking the direct path of pop and instead flirting with beautiful fills, arpeggiated piano and violin trills, she is perfect.  "Sewn up Tight" is an absolute gem.  If it sounds like I’m raving, it’s because I am.  Her music is full of cheese-free longing and a precious sort of nostalgia, and these are the moments I am in awe of- her ability to inject these genuine floating/hanging moments often and without a tinge of artifice, demonstrates her deft skills.  I’ll let you know when she’s in Seattle again, because damn, I really want to see her live!

    •    Sep 18
 Mad Planet – 
Milwaukee, WI

    •    Sep 21 
Whistler – 
Chicago, IL

    •    Sep 27 
Spoonful – Records
 Columbus, OH

    •    Oct 05 
Kungfu – Necktie
 Philadelphia, PA