Made up of Travis Caine (guitar) and Katherine Kin (synth), Brooklyn duo Von Haze is out to hypnotize. Their brooding, psychedelic songs are doused with dark, trippy beats and whirring, droning vocals. Tracks like the 7-minute trancelike "Sooner or Later" or the echoey "Sad Girls" elicit a strange sense of intimacy — as if our hand rested on their thumping hearts, or our ears were pressed up against their mouthing lips. Much like The xx, Von Haze pull us in real close to tell us something we don’t quite understand, but somehow still find sexy. In the past, Von Haze has opened up for The Big Pink and Crystal Antlers, but you can get up close and personal with them on June 17 at their EP release party at Union Pool. – Michelle Gelsani

We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel and DJs).

The powerful sound and bluesy harmonies that lace each track on The Courtesy Tier’s latest EP, “Map and Marker,” simply attest the to the fact that when it comes to music, less really can be more. The Brooklyn-based duo consisting of Omer on guitar and vocals, and Layton on drums and vocals, channels the raw, magnetic vibe of Jimmy Hendrix capped off with bluesy confidence and an electric energy that feels contagious at first listen. Uncontrived lyrics blend with catchy rhythms, giving listeners just enough rock to stimulate the body and words that will speak to an assortment of ages and tastes. It’s no surprise the satisfying melodies of The Courtesy Tier has them climbing quickly and seamlessly to the top of the Brooklyn music food chain. The Courtesy Tier will play Make Music New York on Bedford Ave (Williamsburg) on Monday June 21. – CM

Since Memory Tapes was born, New Yorkers can’t really say that New Jersey is uncool anymore. The (one man) band will take a break from work the second, as yet untitled, album to play some headline dates and festivals this summer, including Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 25 and a series of dates in Europe. Meanwhile, Jamie Harley has made a video for Seek Magic’s standout track, ‘Bicycle.’

Light and airy, with a soft acoustic guitar giving way to soothing, rich vocals, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Katie Mullins is sure to capture the attention of those who love the simplicity of chick indie rock with her latest album, Pastoral. At first listen the lyrics seem to be basic storytelling, offering anecdotes that remind you of easier, younger days, but Mullins has a way of catching your ear with a line that speaks straight to the heart. Her diverse background, spanning from acting to opera, is apparent in her experimental style, which comes across as strong as it is subtle. With a month-long residency quickly approaching at Pete’s Candy Store this July, Katie Mullins has seamlessly weaved her way through music, lyrics, and the Brooklyn indie scene. Katie’s next show will be at cozy Northeast Kingdom on June 27. – CM

We somehow missed this gorgeous video by North Highlands, an unpretentious Brooklyn band that sounds way more original than many other pretentious ones. In one word, this stuff sounds "FA-RESH"!!! Don’t miss their en plain air show at Rooftop Films on June 19 at the New Design High School (350 Grand St. @ Essex).

David Andrew Sitek, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and producer for NYC’s TV On The Radio (but currently based in LA,) announced his new project Maximum Balloon. Featuring a collective of guest artists Maximum Balloon’s self titled set will be released on August 24th on DGC/Interscope. Guest artists will include Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone from TVOTR, Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yukimi Nagano from Little Dragon, Holly Miranda, Theophilus London, and more. Aku from Dragons of Zynth is featured on “Tiger,” the first track to be released off the album. “Tiger” will be available on iTunes and all digital partners June 15th, but fans can hear the full song a day before it’s available for purchase, June 14th, by logging on to www.MaximumBalloon.com. In addition to “Tiger”, Maximum Balloon will be regularly releasing a series of digital singles in the weeks leading up to the release of the album. Fans can sign up at the band’s website to find out how to receive these songs, along with other extra videos and audio material.

The New York City band, Atlantic, Atlantic is making moves towards "the 90’s for the now." This project sets sail in a new direction for Sikamor Rooney’s front man, Brad York, creatings a sound inspired by bands such as Pavement, The Pixies, Built to Spill, The Replacements, My Morning Jacket, etc.  All music and lyrics are written by Brad York. The single Super Tall Buildings is recorded by producer Jeff Plate. Take a listen here! – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). Photo by Lucia Holm)

Beloved Rogue is 3 friends.  Alex and Sean, who grew up here in Brooklyn, and Mike who moved to town many years ago from Boston. He had started Beloved Rogue a few years back. Previously involved in other projects, they soon bonded over a love of BJM, the Lilys and Serena Maneesh. Getting together at Seaside Lounge Studios near Sunset Park they put together a 3 song EP “Polaurora”. It includes the video and single “Daysleeping” which contains some nice jangly pop moments in its 6 minute run. The other songs on the EP run down the indie road towards the middle of the pavement, we particularly like the mellower Capital Sense. Upcoming shows this summer include the Northside Fest at Bar Matchless on June 26th. Look for some road dates and another single coming soon. – Simon Heggie

NYC quartet Descender makes sure the flames of early post-hardcore are burning strong on their eponymous six-track introduction to the world. Creating music that is well versed in the tradition of NYC underground heaviness, this unit does a solid job in projecting a relentless sense of immediacy with enough lung-ripping refrains that stick in your head for days while implementing the kind of Sick of it All-esque moments of infectious melody that call for immediate pile-ons (“Crooked Teeth”). Fusing the indomitable spirit of DIY hardcore with a jagged blend of modern hardcore punk brutality and indie rock dexterity, Descender has developed a specific strand of blunt heaviness that doles out qualities you can still feel ok about throwing elbows to with rounds of stellar musicianship that transcend the throwback tag. www.descendernyc.com –Mike SOS

We recently mentioned The Strokes in our printed issue, saying that the band seemed to be confined into some sort of self-exile mode. Well, we hear that on Wednesday 06.09.2010 the 5 Manhattanites played their first live show since 2006 in a very intimate setting in London. The show apparently didn’t include any new material. The band will play UK festival gigs over the weekend and Lollapalooza in Chicago in August. No news about new records on the horizon, nor about shows in NYC at this stage.

25-year-old singer songwriter, pianist and, primarily, guitarist Anna Rose has release her debut full album "Nomad" on June 8. Produced by Anna with Billy Sullivan and legendary producer Bruce Botnick’s supervision, Nomad was recorded in New York and California and makes a singular impression of a female singer-songwriter imagining with fresh new verve the great rock and roll tradition of high craft and liberated spirit. Anna Rose will be performing in support of the release at R Bar on June 11 and at The Canal Room on July 9.