Ladies and non-Ladies,

The 22nd issue of The Deli Magazine (NYC Version) is now at large on the streets and venues and record shops and rehearsal studios of NYC and Brooklyn (with the exception of Bushwick, which will be served later in the week). It’s our "Best of NYC" issue, do not dare missing it. AND if you can’t find the real thing you can still download the pdf version here!

Twin Sister are yet another semi-electronic Brooklyn based home recording project. Unlike most other artists embracing the "lo-fi" aesthetics though, this band has a definite, noteworthy talent for sophisticated pop production values. Finding inspiration in the Beta Band’s crooked melodies and rhythms and in Stereolab’s looped melodic patterns, Twin Sister could be also described as a lo-fi, mellower version of Chairlift, with whom they share a relaxed and atmospheric approach to electro pop – and rather laid back female vocals. Speaking of which, singer Andrea Estella’s fragile, whispered tone – which for a change is not autotuned – is quite unique, contributing enormously to make this band sound like no other. Their best song is "All Around and Away We Go" – which is first of all an absolute pop gem, and then also a tune with a very intriguing arrangement, definitely owing something to Eno/Byrne’s "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" electro-exotic experiments. The band is getting a lot of attention from the blogosphere – their EP "Color Your Life" got a 7.5 from Pitchfork a few weeks ago – you may want to check out their show at Mercury on 04.28.

Hell yeah, we need some music with some Middle Eastern influences every now and then! Here’s Electro Morocco‘s new video with Yula Beeri featuring as guest singer (I believe her and EM’s bassist Roy Gurel used to be the driving force of now defunkt Nanuchka).

From MAGNET MAGAZINE: "Paleface was a fixture on the downtown-NYC anti-folk scene in the early ’90s and put out two major-label records before his alcohol abuse almost killed him on tour with the Breeders in 1997. After cleaning up and meeting the likes of the Moldy Peaches and Regina Spektor, Paleface resumed his recording career via a number of new releases on small record companies and his own label. Last year, Paleface (now the name of the duo featuring him and his drummer girlfriend Monica Samalot) issued the excellent The Show Is On The Road on Ramseur Records (the onetime home to the Avett Brothers). MAGNET is proud to premiere the brand new video for “New York, New York.” Check out Paleface @ Southpaw May 21, Co-Headlining w/ Hoots And Hellmouth. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

The Art of Shooting – besides having a friggin’ awesome name – are a trio from Brooklyn that plays a mixture of noise rock, alt folk and psych rock. Tense, moody, often dimly lit, these guys’ songs reserve surprisingly noisy turns, alternated with moments full of tenderness and emotion, making it a consistent source of catharsis from the struggles of life – which are the core of lead singer Kelly Irene Corson’s lyrics. Don’t miss their CD release party at Pianos on April 27.

Three of Brooklyn’s most inventive experimental ensembles — Little Women (in the picture), Abacus and the Suite Unraveling — will celebrate the emergence of new music with a triple album release party at Bruar Falls. Suffused with over driven electric guitars, squonking horns, pounding drums, and a ferocious and provocative live show, the three groups are bound not so much by their unity of sound as they are by the ferocity with which they strive to transcend the boundaries of genre and style. On April 29 at Bruar Falls, these bands come together not just as a gesture of mutual support, but as a statement of community in the face of a continually fragmenting sonic world. In order of appearance, the night will feature Abacus, the Suite Unraveling, and Little Women. Each group will perform a 50-minute set of original music. Special guest artists Strong Look will open the evening with a 30-minute set at 8pm. Bruar Falls is located at 245 Grand St. Williamsburg Brooklyn. The show is 21+ and free. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

La Strada, recently winners of the Deli’s “Band of the Month” poll, will be celebrating the release of their album, “New Home,” at the stunning new Knitting Factory in Williamsburg on April 30. These six Brooklynites have come together to produce the richness of a small orchestra with a bounty of instrumental variety. Highlight tracks, such as delicate and melodious “My New Home,” lively and shuffling “Wash on By,” and tender and peaceful “Julia,” intermingle airy strings, beaming horns, dizzying accordion lines, and chiming glockenspiel and triangle embellishments, with high-flying vocals and tricky rhythms. “New Home” was released on April 20, the first date of La Strada’s two week Spring tour. It would be a wise decision to take the band up on what they propose: “La Strada wants to marry you! Please say, "I do.’" – Meijin Bruttomesso

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 sotre personnel and DJs). Many of the bands in this list will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in Williamsburg in May (6 shows in 3 different venues between the 13 and the 15).

Not all power trios are fast paced and noisy: many El Jezel‘s songs take their time to build, through atmospheric instrumental intros, sparse sonic brushes of effected guitars and whispered vocals. The result is some kind of Post Rock that’s ready to explode into memorable melodic and/or noisy, shoegazy openings . The project sparked when George and Dan randomly met at house parties in Massachusetts years back and discovered that they actually only lived a town away from each other. Both eventually linked up with Jessica about ten years ago, which led to playing open mic sessions in downtown Manhattan and ultimately the three formed a band. Recently performing along the East Coast, El Jezel brews bigger plans for its new EP, due to be released in the next few months. – Gina Alioto

The problem in coming to grips with success often involves the backlash to critical reaction, and Keepaway – exploding onto the Brooklyn scene this year after a 9/10 review from recurrent tastemaker Pitchfork – are no strangers to listener skepticism. But with songs comprising a central guitar, a hard-synth edge, and whirligig percussion, something lies beneath the surface of Keepaway that sets them apart: maybe it’s the narrative quality to their songs, or the darker aspect of their tunes that only gets hinted at, or it could have to do with the sheer exuberance the three possess. Whatever it is, the attention is deserved. – Read Dale W. Eisinger’s interview with the band here.

A rag-tag witches brew of rowdy ramblers, five-time offenders, and filthy fiddlers, The Defibulators don’t shy from putting it all on the line. While greased-up pop sensations and corporate crooners spill out of Nashville by the dozens, this Brooklyn band mines the classics—Scruggs, Cash, Williams, Acuff and Wynette—and irresponsibly mixes them with jet fuel from the future. The resulting cocktail should be banned in fifty states because it’s high in proof that the thunderclap of rebellion and righteousness is alive and well. This isn’t weird science—this is true country music. And it goes by the name of The Defibulators. – Read Chris Nelson’s interview with the band here.

Jersey-based Like Trains & Taxis have just released their debut album “Tales From A Revolving Door” and are in the middle of a full US tour. Preferring to play unconventional venues like art galleries and living rooms, Like Trains & Taxis focuses on quality songwriting through a sound that here at the Deli we call Alt-Soul (see our NYC Alt Soul chart here – these guys will be in it soon). Lead singer Chris Harris guides the band with his sultry vocal and piano lines, through songs that evoke both the soul of Stevie Wonder and the offbeat nuanced approach of bands like Ben Folds Five.

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 sotre personnel and DJs). Many of the bands in this list will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in Williamsburg in May (6 shows in 3 different venues between the 13 and the 15).

Savoir Adore ‘s 14-track LP, “Into The Wooded Forest” comes out of the gate strong, with a wide array of musical styles from exquisite harmonies set to a smooth march to electric percussion with a beat that instantly makes you want to move. The duo who comprise Savoir Faire, Deidre and Paul, have made an outstanding collaborative effort, weaving synthpop, indie rock, and organic lyrics that show they are not naïve to the music scene or the fans who follow them. Their songs are authentic in nature, humble in deliverance, and strong in performance, making their first full-length album a solid jumping off point for this imaginative, Brooklyn-based group.– CM