Singing with nonchalance and slightly out of tune is an art in itself. Curiously, when found together (and in the right dosage), these two qualities work like a double negative and resolve to a positive – often identified as "character". Everything started here in NYC with Lou Reed – I believe – but Syd Barret was probably this particular art’s unsurpassed genius, and bands like Pavement and more recently Crystal Stilts started new similar trends in the past 2 decades. Nonchalance seems to have become a defining trait for the 2010 Brooklyn hipster bands, and new Captured Tracks’ signees Minks try to bring that quality to its extremes within the pop format. Their extremely structured songs, formally reminiscent of The Jesus and Mary Chain with the Cure’s rhythm section, are "nonchalanted" through weird vocal effects a-la’ Ween (de-tuning, flanger, distortion and delay/reverb of course), or drunken, crooked instrument parts like int the song "Drunk Punks" here – again, Ween’s  craziness comes to mind, although Minks is in no way a band of comedians like the PA duo was. Look out for the debut album in January.

Gregory and the Hawk is the project of playful and dreamy singer songwriter Meredith Godreau, who moved to NYC from Massachusetts in the mid 2000 to find a record deal with Fat Cat Records. Intense and sleepy, Godreau’s songs play with simple melodies that aim at the heart, and are the perfect soundtrack to sweeten up the darkest of seasons. The unconventional, sparse arrangements employ instruments as varied as strings, mallets and harp. This video of the song "For The Best" was realized using some of the artist’s own drawings.

Baltimore’s brilliant club rapstress Rye Rye, recently back from a tour with Die Antwoord, released a remix EP of her smash track "Sunshine" featuring guest vocals from M.I.A. The EP features remixes from MSTRKRFT, 12th Planet, LA Riots, and Cataracts, and after her LP Go!Pop!Bang! was unleashed, music mags were hitting the floor.

Some of what they had to say:

"Rye Rye is the sort of vivacious dancer that kinda makes you feel like a klutz just being in the same city with her" — XLR8R

"…the hip-hop album most likely to set the club on fire." — Rolling Stone

"….Baltimore grime at its best" — Bust

Sunshine feat. M.I.A – 12th Planet Remix by z11221133

Besides being based in NYC, Earl Greyhound (in the picture) and Cavalier Rose have in common a sound that references to the roots of rock’n’roll, an inclination to flirt with blue notes, and and a sublime rocking live show. Admittedly Earl Greyhound rock slightly harder, mostly because of the undeniable Led Zeppelin influences, which imply faster BPMs, while Cavalier Rose’s repertoire features more mid tempo tracks. But no matter what, if you are up for a night of pur rock’n’roll bliss, you shouldn’t miss the show at Bowery Ballroom on 11.20 featuring both bands.

Guards is the new project of Richie James Follin, the man who brought us the great NYC Rock’n’Roll band The Willowz. This new effort sounds like crooner music from the 50s, backed by a bunch of Williamsburg hipsters and produced in DIY fashion in a Brooklyn bedroom. As it happens, this is actually true as Richie himself produced, mixed and recorded all the tracks – we can safely assume he’s a hipster. The overall result is very enjoyable. The first Guards release (a multi-colored 7 inch) will se the light on October 22 on Small Plates Records and can be pre-ordered here.

After a period of going dark, the noise-rock guitar stranglers Trumans Water have resurfaced with a ripping new album (O Zeta Zunis), a string of live dates in both the US and Europe, and now the official re-release of much of the band’s sought after back catalog this November through their new label home, the venerable Asthmatic Kitty. The bands first 6 albums are also about to be re-released on Sufjan Steven’s label, which has made a sampler of all the reissues on Bandcamp, appropriately titled Schists and Schisms, which you can nab as a FREE download. You can also browse through the re-issues and stream them there for free.

Oberhofer is rapidly emerging and reaching beyond the boundaries of the vast Brooklyn "bedroom-fi" scene. After playing about 36 shows in 5 days at CMJ in October (including a Deli show at Brooklyn Bowl), the band is announcing an extensive US tour in support of Cloud Nothings, Tapes N’ Tapes and The Vaccines amongst others, and the relase of a new 7" on Inflated records scheduled for January 2011. Their next NYC show will be on 01.20 at Bowery Ballroom.

Portland based and Chop Shop Records/Atlantic Records signee Mackintosh Braun just release the album "Where we Are" and the video for the song "Could It Be". The electro-pop band played a show at Albert Rose Hall in Protland last week – check out their myspace page for upcoming shows.

San Fran’s own The Morning Benders recently relocated to NYC in the effort to "contaminate" the east coast with their infectious quasi-orchestral indie pop. The band reveals their inner "west coastness" through a chilled repertoire filled with friendly melodies, gentle textural percussive elements, and interesting choices in the instrumentation department. Lead singer Christopher’s vocals pen melancholic and slightly thoughtful melodies that allow the band’s music to touch souls. If you are in NYC, you can check these guys out at Webster Hall before they embark on an Australian Winter Tour (which is only a winter tour to us, because in Australia January is the peak of the summer).

Portland, Oregon transplants Paper or Plastic bring their 1970s punk- and soul-influenced piano rock to Lit Lounge on Saturday, Nov 20 (where the band is giving away a large living, carnivorous plant to one audience member). Joining them is Bones Howell, Friend Roulette, and Rocket Stove Workshop. Paper or Plastic’s latest EP, "Ron Save The King," was recorded live to 2" analog tape by the band’s songwriter, keyboardist, and producer David Pollock (Menya, Nyle, Beast Make Bomb, The Woes). Their video "Low Budget Film" was the band’s first and favorite attempt at shooting and directing video, and took place in a meadow in southern Oregon. A pair of winter tours on both the west and east coasts are in the works, as Paper or Plastic continue to share their crushing rock with as many eager pairs of ears as possible. Large (carnivorous) plants will be given away nightly on the tours, as well. “Keep it green, and keep it real,” says Paper or Plastic’s sax player Ian “Sten” Christensen.- (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

 DC’s poetic noise lords the Chance are taking their epic alt. rock wall of sound to the Brooklyn stage this weekend (Bar Matchless on 11/19), further representing our town as one of the loudest scenes in the U.S. Like a rock melting pot, singer/guitarist Joshua Padgett is the Peruvian Thurston Moore, drummer Viraj DeSilva the Sri Lankan Dave Grohl, and bassist Finley Martin the Canadian Jah Wobble. Rock insanity will undoubtedly ensue when this trio plugs in.

After the show, the Chance will remain in NYC to finish mixing their upcoming album Oblivion with the awesome mix master Chuck Brody (who recently toured with Hesta Prynn.) If you’ve made it out to any of the Chance’s shows this year, you’ve probably heard some of what Oblivion will feature, including my personal favorite "Lapdance in Heaven," a dark and depressing ambient journey with enigmatic lyrics about a man trapped in purgatory with only a bare memory of a stripper. Can’t wait to hear this. In the meantime, they’ve leaked a raw and unmixed track "Slipstream" below. -Dawn