Personal relationships are the endgame for most people. The search to connect your innermost feelings with another person is what Elika‘s new album “Snuggle Bunnies” often hints at. At the core of the lyrics are emotional ties that revolve around the struggle of the human being’s fight for happiness on earth, and the band’s wide palette of sounds complements these lyrics. Released on Peruvian label Automatic, classic Elika resounds on the 1st single “Summer”. Shoegazer-style soundscapes are scattered throughout the album, but it’s a simple plaintive side that finally emerges in the highlight song “Death and Avalanches”. Pure talent and a bare acoustic guitar set in motion resounding, deep feelings when singer Eva relies on just her voice and her metaphors. “The Darkside” musically reflects its lyrical counterparts, revealing 2 songs in one and releasing its somber verses instantly into an uplifting arpeggiated chorus. The closer “Tidal Wave” is a complete musical movement based on a simple progression, with drums that wash around each other in synch. When it all comes crashing down, you are left to roll in the emotional feedback they create: a symbiotic tie making you wonder what is there left when you’ve relied everything on someone else. – Simon Heggie

Premiered on Pitchfork the other day, simple but pretty cool I say… Les Savy Fav is currently touring Europe, heading to Australia in the winter of 2011.

What happens when a Cellist, a Frenchman, and a Chilean walk into a Bar? Frenchman Gaetan Bonhomme, friend and fan of Erin and her Cello, took Animator, Andrea Lira, (from Chile), to one of Erin’s shows back in 2009. Andrea loved Erin’s playfulness and charm, and Erin loved Andrea’s adorable animations. The result of this fateful encounter? This sweet video. Erin and her Cello, along with her 5 piece band, will be performing at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 on Saturday, November 20th, 8pm, opening for Caleb Hawley’s CD Release show. You can also catch their Holiday Spectacular at Rockwood, Stage 2, on Monday, December 6th at 8pm. No Monkeys Allowed. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Make Out is Junior Senior‘s Jesper Mortensen’s new band. After the Danish, London based duo broke up, Mortensen left England for New York to find someone who shared his musical vision. From what we can tell from the only track available online (streaming here) the newly formed band plays energetic guitar rock reminiscent in equal doses of Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins, with maybe a slightly punkier edge – teenagers will probably love this! Debut EP release scheduled for the early spring of 2011.
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Home Video can now be considered a mainstay of the NYC electro-rock scene – they have been active since the late 90s and released 2 EPs under Warp Records, a label any electronic act dreams to be signed to. Fans of moody avant-pop a la` Radiohead will find a lot to chew on here, as the band has a ton of quality material evenly spread through their many releases. They are about to celebrate the launch of their 2nd full length album on November 16 with a show at the Mercury Lounge.

NYC Psych Pop quartet Automatic Children will celebrate the release of their first official video with a show at the Mercury Lounge on 11.23. The band is also set to perform new material. Check out the new video here.

Awesome avant-folk Portland outfit Pigeons is about to release their debut CD – entitled "Liasons". This is a talented and fun band, keep an ear out for them in 2011.

Portland based musical people,

We are currently looking for talented, outgoing, prolific, and brilliant writers who are passionately involved with the local scene and possibly interested in running our Portland branch.

If you want more details go here – you’ll find more details and contact info.

The Deli
www.thedelimagazine.com

We like ArpLine a lot – that’s why we invited them to play our CMJ party at Spike Lee a few weeks ago. There are traces of early MGMT, but mixed with Kraut Rock and Post Punk influences, creating a feeling of club basement badass mixed with synthesizers, distorted guitars and dance jam goodies. ArpLine’s set to release their debut full-length “Travel Book” in early 2011. For a taste, listen to the upcoming record’s first single, "Fold Up Like a Piece of Paper", one of the most tense and cathartic tunesyou may find yourself dancing to. Please do that at Glasslands on 11.17, as the band will be playing with other Deli favorites like The Big Sleep, Chappo and Red Wire Black Wire. – read Vann Alex’s interview with the band here.

This new Chromeo video really got my attention for some reason, but then at the end I didn’t really understand it. Why are all the police women mad at the guys? Because they went in the female section of the police-sauna? I mean they weren’t that outraged when they saw them there… Does the police have private spas? Dudes, i have no time to watch it again, this video is just a "Hot Mess". Anyway, the band hit it pretty big this year, with their dancey tunes inspired to the ex-uncool decade that’s cool again (the Eighties). The band is currently touring Europe and Australia – they’ll be back in North America with an extensive set of dates in early 2011.