THE DELI

"I can’t be everything you need / but maybe I could be a piece / if you just try with me," sings Katie Buchanan on her newest single "Stand with Me." The singer-songwriter is confident in her words and in her self-produced indie-pop arrangement. A reflective, yet upholding piano line accompanies the track and the percussive elements, dark bass and synths create a gorgeous, soothing alternative reality where the losing and the fighting and the picking-yourself-up is accepted and encouraged. "It’s the record’s thesis statement," says Buchanan, "and, in some ways, it’s mine." Buchanan’s new record Who We Are When We’re Standing is out June 9th, with a release show at Mercury Lounge on June 11th. – Geena Kloeppel

Austin’s garage-rock four-piece Leather Girls has dropped single "Arabian Daze," ahead of the June 2nd release of its self-titled album on on Yippee Ki Yay Records. "Arabian Daze" is awash in the influence of ’60s and ’70s rock ‘n roll. Hints of The Kinks and The Goo Goo Dolls emanate from its uptempo standard blues structure, reverb-drenched harmonies and a wah-wah-driven guitar solo. Leather Girls will embark on a U.S. tour June 2nd through the 17th. See poster for details/dates, and check out the new single below! – Ethan Ames

New York based artist and drummer Jon Epcar has crafted a memorable project in his record Morning Drone, which was released this January as his solo debut. The album exemplifes Epcar’s wide variety of drumming styles and the melodic and atmospheric compositions of his band, as heard in the jazz-driven track, “Northern Exposure”. Including guest appearences by other prominent local artists such as fellow Broadway guitarist Zane Carney, and jazz pianist Isamu McGregor, the instrumental album also marks his first production effort. With his vast history of drumming with artists like Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and numerous shows on Broadway, Epcar emerges in this record as a multi-faceted talent. – Tafari Lemma

In their newest LP, ‘Bethel, ME,’ Connecticut-based four-piece Young Lincoln capture the essence of a New England upbringing (sweet, with a bit of obligatory angst)—their lyrics aren’t overly sentimental, maintaining a roughness around the edges in songs like “three years” (“Ten beers in I always think I’ve had enough / to have one more… / I miss the way my parents sang at night.”) Lead singer Andy King’s vocals also add a grungey tone that fits them more comfortably in pop punk than anything else, giving an edge to even the most vulnerable lines (“I still watch you sleep sometimes.”) – Lilly Milman

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

Being the first to blog about a talented emerging artist is the single most fulfilling thing for any music critic (only second to seeing that artist become huge!), and that’s what The Deli is all about. Buzzbands.la does a lot of breaking new bands too, and we are more than happy to point you in their direction for what is, in all likelihood, the first review for bicostal synth-pop band Drinker, the recording project of singer / songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer/composer Ariel Loh. The fact that reputable NYC show organizers Pop Gun booked them for a show at Cape House in Brooklyn on June 30th comes as a further proof that this act has potential. Check out below the only single currently available for streaming, the melancholic synthetic ballad ‘Which Way Is South.’

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Brooklyn’s avant-pop band Friend Roulette has released a lead single, "Joan," ahead of its forthcoming EP, The Matt Sheffer Songbook, Vol. 1. In a departure from the band’s previous releases, Songbook is a series of covers originally written a decade ago by a friend of the band, songwriter Matt Sheffer. "Joan" is a strong indication of the band’s ability to create something that’s greater than the sum of its parts – Friend Roulette’s proclivity toward lush textures perfectly compliments Sheffer’s Brian Wilson-esque compositional prowess. Listen to the single below, and keep an eye out for The Matt Sheffer Songbook Vol. 1, out June 16th. – Ethan Ames

Brooklyn rockers Rips made a name for themselves in the local scene with the sheer number of shows they’ve played since forming in 2013, and a sound that blends rawness and melody. Their debut, self-titled LP took a while to take shape but is finally being released this summer. In their preview single “Malibu Entropy” (streaming below,) they maintain the fuzzy, punhcy sound and casual attitude of garage rock, while adopting dreamy melodies and guitar progressions reminiscent of fellow Brooklynites Real Estate. The record release party will be hosted at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on July 1st at 8 pm. – Lilly Milman

The Oddbodies are an alternative punk band from Connecticut that makes dirty, distorted, guitar-heavy punk songs with an indie rock twist. At their highest intensity, they sound similar to ’90s grunge classics like Soundgarden, while their more relaxed numbers prove reminiscent of alternative rock staples like Wavves. Hailing from New Haven, the outfit has found a way to stay inspired and active in relatively quiet surroundings. The Deli sat down with this underdog group to chat and get their full scoop. Read the Q&A here!