THE DELI

In a world where the lines between genres keep blurring it’s no surprise when bands or artists create works the defy fitting into any one of them. What is refreshing, though, is when they do it well. Enter Nothing, Nowhere. With self deprecatingly analytical lyrics glazed over with a layer of anger, dreamy reverb guitars, rapping, and samplings from movies and readings Nothing, Nowhere. builds tracks that take cues from emo, indie dream pop, and hip hop. Thus forging an LP (streaming below) that explores love, frustration, religion and loss of faith with an unique style. Keep an eye out on their facebook page for any future concerts.

Residencies are a great way for venues to launch a clear message to music press and fans, the message being: "we dig this band and they have a great live show!" We’ve got to trust Rockwood then about Brooklyn’s The YeahTones, since they offered them a three date quarterly residency starting in February and ending on April 28th. From what we can tell from their only recorded track, entitled ‘What Could I Do’ and streaming below, the group masters the blues rock genre to a t, managing to instill in this old music a healthy dose of freshness, power and character, without ever losing its signature viscerality. Looking forward to hearing more.

Those familiar with the funk-pop of ’80s British band Simply Red may find a welcome reference in the celan, staccato funk guitar permeating ‘QLC,’ by Brooklyn quartet Ludwig (streaming below). The group doesn’t quite play the mainstream card the way Simply Red did, but in their debut album ‘To Be Continued‘ they do offer well crafted songs through a formula that has the potential to intrigue many. You can see them live at the Knitting Factory on April 18th.

After rewarding singer songwriter Cindy Lou Gooden’s lo-fi project Very Fresh with our Record of the Month back in 2010, we kinda lost touch with them. We are glad to see them they are still at it, with a bunch of releases under their belt. Now a quartet, the group put out a two song single in November 2015 featuring Cindy Lou’s signature quirky lyrics and ’90s influenced melodies. Check them out live at Palisades on April 21st and check out single ‘Clean Touch’ below.

Few people in our life are as controversial as our own parents. Often judged hastily by us as soon as we are old enough to have an opinion, they have time on their side to prove us that – at least – there was more to them (a lot more) than what we originally thought. The end of their time is always a non-welcome opportunity to try and make sense of conflicts, memories and mistakes that shaped our life in often overwhelming ways. These issues are tackled in the new single ‘Dad’ by Brooklyn electric folk quintet Bird of Youth. The song was written after the passing of frontwoman Beth Wawerna’s father. Their five-years-in-the making sophomore album, entitled ‘Get Off,’ will be released on May 17th with a party at Union Pool. The band has also announced a tour in support of Nada Surf.