Current Deli Artist of the Month Miniboone has just released this fun video of their single Cool Kids Cut Out of the Heart Itself – which perfectly channels the post punk energy of the Brooklyn band. Miniboone is one of the many awesome local bands that will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in mid May (see blog entry underneath in thsi same page). Don’t miss their live show at Cake Shop on April 6.

Ah, the reverie of spring. In lieu of fields to loll about in go get cozy for free with Alexa Wilkinson (in the picture), Julie Peel, and Mercy Bell (in the picture) at The Living Room, Thursday, April 1, from 8pm-11pm. Julie Peel unleashed her debut full-length album on American Laundromat Records (ALR) September 22nd 2008, and has been enjoying rave reviews and charting at college & specialty radio ever since. Previously featured on ALR compilations, this is Julie’s first solo full-length release. She counts Aimee Mann, Kim Deal, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell among her influences, and their impact is not hard to discern on Near the Sun. Julie’s lo-fi, guitar-driven pop recalls the likes of Ida, Anna Ternheim, Caithlin de Marrais, and Mirah, but bears her own distinctive indie sensibility and style. Alexa Wilkinson plays a unique blend of music a unique of blend of music with jazz, rock and folk influences. She has toured and shared the stage with Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Kelley, Natasha Beddingfield, Mieka Pauly, Bess Rogers, Joshua Radin, Vanessa Carlton, Dar Williams, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, and many more. She has had various songs from her both albums featured on MTV’s "The Hills", CBS’s "NCIS: NY" & "Make It or Break It", and many others. Mercy Bell has been playing her crunchy folk-pop around New York for almost two years and is working on her first album. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Today we start some sort of "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list here (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 Williamsbur on May (6 shows in 3 different venues between the 13 and the 15).

Callers earned the accolade of The Deli’s CD of the month back in December of 2008 with its spellbinding “Fortune.” In a brief yet memorable 30-some minutes, vocalist Sara Lucas and guitarist Ryan Seaton guide listeners through an intimate, contemplative journey conveyed by blues, jazz and folk tones. The arrangements are sparse but they only make the songs more evocative and highlight the strength of Lucas and Seaton’s potent, volatile voices with their respective instruments. It’s difficult to pull away from the songs without being affected; Callers crafts moods that reach beyond its songs and proactively engrosses its listeners.

Brooklyn’s Quiet Lights is A new project from ex-members of Gods&Queens/Argentine/Desert Fathers. Inspired by small batch bourbon, conspiracy theories, dream-pop, haruki murakami, zombie massacre preparedness, pulled-pork bbq, raw milk, the smell of dew on fresh mowed grass, boutique guitar pedals, over-analyzing, cupcakes, rush-hour subway rage, reverb. Check out Quiet Truth, Weapons Thrown one of 3 tracks on our pre-release with a proper album being recorded soon. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Geezer on Diesel is a band featuring two NYC scenemakers who work in the shadow – i.e. Producer Paul Mahajan (here on guitar) known for recording TV on the Radio and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Sam Tayolr (here on baritone guitar) who’s been providing guitar gear to the Williamsburg’s community of musicians through his store Southside Guitars. The band plays a grainy brand of snare-less dark and droney (but not necessarily psych) indie rock reminiscent of a less dreamy Jesus and Mary Chain and a more controlled Dead Meadow. Stay tuned for upcoming live shows in the Billyburg neighborhood.

The Notorious MSG is Chinatown’s one and only Chinese hip hop band. Besides hopping on stage and on record, the guys also make "educational" videos like this one (from the series "Schoolhousin’ ", focusing on the many interesting and "different" habits of our Manhattan based neighbors – hey, you can’t say these boys don’t come from the ghetto! I highly recommend to watch at least the first 30 seconds of this video.

Insatiable NYC Ears,

The Deli was founded as a magazine whose sole purposes were to give exposure to emerging NYC artists and make us millionaires. Although we are obviously failing our second objective, against all odds, The Deli has reached its 5th year anniversary! Isn’t that a good excuse to party like there’s no tomorrow?

WHY "BEST OF NYC"?

The Best of NYC 2010 Fest is the live transposition of our year-end Best of NYC 2009 list. This is the Fest’s second year and it’s going to be an exciting experience with 7 shows in 5 different venues spread over 3 nights in the heart of Williamsburg.

Here is the calendar:

– THURSDAY MAY 13 –

Brooklyn Bowl:
Midnight Masses + Beach Fossils + TBA

Public Assembly:
Alt Rock Night with The Shake, Click Clack Boom, Midnight Spin, Cavalier Rose

– FRIDAY MAY 14 –

Brooklyn Bowl:
Motel Motel + April Smith + TBA

Glasslands
7-12: Noise Rock Night with Talk Normal, Asa Ransom, Buke and Gass, Miniboone
12-4 am: Electronic party with Gordon Voidwell, Glass Ghost, Stereolab+ TBA

– SATURDAY MAY 15 –

Brooklyn Bowl:
London Souls + Locksley

Cameo
Afternoon: Folky Night with Julie Peel, Pearl & The Beard, Miracles of Modern Science, The Woes, Sticklips, Shanya Zayd + more
Night: Indie Rock Night with The Vandelles, Monogold + more.

Enjoy!

Me You Us Them is the name of the latest addition to the NYC shoegazer scene. This band’s impressive wall of guitars rivals in "My-Bloody-Valentine-ness" that of Asobi Seksu’s first album – I’d recommend any follower of the toe staring sonic cult to check out these guys’ tunes. (By the way, why they call it shoegazer and not toestarer is beyond me). The record release show is April 25th at The Studio @ Webster Hall in NYC.

Fans and Deli readers alike will know Milagres by their former name, Secret Life of Sofia, who took home the bronze in the Deli Magazine’s Reader Poll Best of 2008.  More recently, their “Empty Sleeve” album earned them a top-ten ranking in the Best EPs of 2009 list on Pop Tarts Suck Toasted.  Milagres say they’re happier now with the name change, presumably because it is representative of a deeper and more meaningful transformation for the band.  Currently at work on a new album, the only track released thus far is “Lost in the Dark” (Demo). Though the title may represent a necessary step in any major change, the band continues to come across as fearless.  One song may be too small of a sample size to go on, but based on the beautifully ghost-like vocal melodies backed by dreamy and swelling instrumentation, one gets the sense that the band is in fact further developing an already great sound. – PJD

Thursday night at The Studio at Webster Hall showcased artists selected by Rich Russo from 101.9 WRXP’s “Anything Anything” show for a live “NY Rock Experience.” A lengthy line-up began with Flight from LA whose energy charged The Studio three hours earlier than most New York gigs. Second on the billwere Wyldlife (in the picture), who were guaranteed a radio play after an error in the band’s name during their introduction. The quintet blasted through a punky, power pop set, and finished with a Bruce Springsteen cover in response to encore demands. Third up and the charm were Reckless Sons. Displaying impressive stage dynamics, catching songs, and a new arrangement in duties (Lead vocalist Matt Butler handed off guitar to Ben Rice of Blackbells), Reckless Sons got the audience VERY involved. Shooting Gallery continued the evening’s stripped down rock trend, and added a bit more Blues to the mix. Closing the event and harder hitting with a Southern rock twang, The Auctioneers celebrated their album release with feverish crowd feedback. –Meijin Bruttomesso

My final night at the Bushwick Music Festival began at the Opera House, where Fuck Yeah Yankee Bang Bang (picture below) played fun, poppy rock, featuring Sita Asar and Glenn Baughman harmonizing on vocals and Sean Spada on keys.

Bartholomew (picture below) performed next, a moody blend of folk, country, and rock.  Bill Bartholomew’s soulful vocals intertwined with Dave Klym’s melodic guitar solos created a catchy, distinct sound.  The band’s often simple but dynamic melodies, strong energy and solid rhythm made for a personal, engaging set, especially captivating toward the end with songs “Walk On By” and “One Big Wheel.”

The Louisiana Sun Kings played at 9:30, a metal band with a petite female singer, Noelle Tannen. They had quick tempos and flashy riffs, but it was Tannen’s energy – dancing, twirling, rolling on the floor, singing into the audience – that charmed the crowd.

I then went to Eastern District and caught the end of Food Will Win the War (in the picture).  Despite a seven-member strong lineup of two guitars, two keyboards, violin, bass and drums, they had a sparse, acoustic sound we truly enjoyed.  The Last Nights played next, a trio comprised of a two-octave Korg controller and laptop, cello and guitar.  Several of their songs had danceable electronic drum beats, and others were more minimal. The cello’s bass line sometimes provided the beat, often underneath haunting minor-key melodies.

I arrived House of Yes around midnight, during a flashy drum solo by Justin Ahiyon of Consider the Source (picture below).  A progressive instrumental jam band consisting of a double-neck fretless guitar, drums and bass, they had unusual time signatures, complex riffs and tight chemistry.

I hustled to Bushwick Music Studios to catch a theatrical set by Not Blood, Paint. With skin covered in black handprints and all four band members wearing fur coats and shorts, they gave a cinematic, captivating performance that had the packed audience dancing, singing and howling wildly along to their dynamic, catchy songs.

The night ended around 4 a.m., with sets by U Say USA (picture above), a Dylan-inspired pop-rock band, and finally The Nuclears, a high-energy, Zeppelin-esque rock band.-Vivian Doskow