There’s a general feeling of creeping unease in Sean Henry’s first single “The Ants,” off his upcoming album Fink. The way his voice worms around your ear as he describes the murder of insects on a mass scale is vivid and unsettling. The rustic production only amplifies this eerie feeling; whereas other lo-fi artists use the aesthetic to communicate intimacy, Henry’s crumpled vocals and the slight effects draped over the single create the feeling of being trapped in the traumatized dreams of a child. The chorus, however, breaks into an assured incantation that repeats the line “Goodbye, all of my problems”, and the guitars pick up to create a quiet catharsis. “The Ants” is self-described as “soft grunge”, and this carries over into the tone and sound in a multitude of ways. The dynamic crescendos are muted without losing their potency. The warbled verses that are anxious and freaky shed their childlike persona for a matured reawakening each time the chorus hits. It makes sense that Henry would take advantage of Friday the 13 to release his debut album; his sound is unnerving and captivating, balancing the lo-fi sounds that border on ugly and vulnerable. You can watch the music video for "The Ants" below and see him live on July 22 at Alphaville. – Tucker Pennington

Just a few weeks ago, King Princess sailed off on her nationwide tour, selling out several dates and getting a torrent of good press before even stepping foot on stage for the first show. Also, she released the music video for the title track from her debut EP, called Make My Bed, which offers viewers an intimate performance from underneath her bed’s sheets. The slow and brief song of heartbreak differs from other tracks on the EP, such as "1950"; as the record goes on, the quiet pain shared in "Make My Bed" blossoms into romance that King Princess is eager to sing about. – Will Sisskind

 Hey Philly bands and artists, 

There aren’t many entities out there fostering emerging bands and artists, so we thought you may find this interesting.

WeWork’s Creator Awards is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in the Philly Area.  You can apply to one of three categories including the Performing Arts award, for entertainers and groups with a unique perspective.  

The Performing arts winner will take home $72,000 and take the stage at the Creator Awards Nashville in September.  

Apply HERE before July 20 for a chance to win funding.   

WeWork’s Creator Awards is a celebration of the performers, makers, do-gooders, and mavericks making a difference.  

The Folks at The Deli

Hey Chicago bands and artists, 

There aren’t many entities out there fostering emerging bands and artists, so we thought you may find this interesting.

WeWork’s Creator Awards is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in the Chicago area.  You can apply to one of three categories including the Performing Arts award, for entertainers and groups with a unique perspective.  

The Performing arts winner will take home $72,000 and take the stage at the Creator Awards Nashville in September.  

Apply HERE before July 20 for a chance to win funding.   

WeWork’s Creator Awards is a celebration of the performers, makers, do-gooders, and mavericks making a difference.  

The Folks at The Deli

Hey New England bands and artists, 

There aren’t many entities out there fostering emerging bands and artists, so we thought you may find this interesting.

WeWork’s Creator Awards is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in New England.  You can apply to one of three categories including the Performing Arts award, for entertainers and groups with a unique perspective.  

The Performing arts winner will take home $72,000 and take the stage at the Creator Awards Nashville in September.  

Apply HERE before July 20 for a chance to win funding.   

WeWork’s Creator Awards is a celebration of the performers, makers, do-gooders, and mavericks making a difference.  

The Folks at The Deli

Hey Nashville bands and artists, 

There aren’t many entities out there fostering emerging bands and artists, so we thought you may find this interesting.

WeWork’s Creator Awards is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in the Nashville area.  You can apply to one of three categories including the Performing Arts award, for entertainers and groups with a unique perspective.  

The Performing arts winner will take home $72,000 and take the stage at the Creator Awards Nashville in September.  

Apply HERE before July 20 for a chance to win funding.   

WeWork’s Creator Awards is a celebration of the performers, makers, do-gooders, and mavericks making a difference.  

The Folks at The Deli

Hey NYC bands and artists, 

There aren’t many entities out there fostering emerging bands and artists, so we thought you may find this interesting.

WeWork’s Creator Awards is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in the NYC Area.  You can apply to one of three categories including the Performing Arts award, for entertainers and groups with a unique perspective.  

The Performing arts winner will take home $72,000 and take the stage at the Creator Awards Nashville in September.  

Apply HERE before July 20 for a chance to win funding.   

WeWork’s Creator Awards is a celebration of the performers, makers, do-gooders, and mavericks making a difference.  

Returning from a lengthy hiatus, nyc noise-surfers The Vandelles are premiering their new single “Techromancer” here on the Deli, from their forthcoming album "Hate Will Bring Us Together."  Working on other projects during the break hasn’t tempered the bands penchant for twangy guitars and California beach vibrations.   The rhythm section comes on even harder this time around with a circular throbbing bass line and aggressive thrashing percussion. The idea of creating a new word for the songs title by combining modern video gameplay (Technomancer) with the groundbreaking sci-fi cyberpunk classic Neuromancer is intriguing on a number of levels.  “I’d rather be dead than you, I’d rather be black and blue, I’ll greet the darkness when it comes” establishes the initial vocal line.  The quieter intro sets up a series of sonic explosions, building to the Nirvanesque chorus that invites us to “…come and get it, come and get it from me – I ‘m always ready,” accompanied by slashing power chords over pounding drums and bass.  The band will play live at The Mercury Lounge on 7/13 with Texas shredders Ume, who have recently released new material of their own. – Dave Cromwell

“On My Mind” is a song best listened to with the lights off. Kamilah’s voice reaches out to touch you in the dark like a lover’s hand grazes a cheek. The song is full of subtle guitar licks and rhythmic anomalies that make it incredibly sensual- at times I wondered if it was right to listen to it on the train. Unexpectedly, however, “On My Mind” builds from a simple kick and clap rhythm into an RnB-featuring-Rock’n’Roll type jam. The outro, a hefty conclusion punctuated by some pretty crazy distorted vocals and a percussive breaking point, might make you want to stop whatever you’re doing to get up and dance. Whatever this song makes you feel, I urge you not to walk but run in that direction. –Geena Kloeppel

It makes perfect sense that three of the four musicians that comprise A Valley Son are Southern transplants: the band has a unique country-meets-the-big-city rock flair. Songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Trey Powell tackles the real stuff in “Sunset Park,” a song he wrote in response to the death of Michael Brown in 2014. He laments on the state of the country: “It’s always been chaos / but we’ve really lost control / these last few years.” It’s a raw, honest reaction to today’s political environment. The group incorporates some soul elements, a bit of the grit of Springsteen’s lyrics, and a lot of heart to make their sound unique, especially coming out of a scene like the indie-sound-leaning Brooklyn one. Check them out live July 12 at Mercury Lounge. – Lily Crandall

Indie electronic band Balún is quickly making their presence known – in their current home base of Brooklyn and globally. Their 2016 single “La Nueva Ciudad” was on Spotify’s US Viral Top 50 playlist as well as in eight Latin American countries. “El Espanto,” their most recent single, is inspired by the dembow and reggae heartbeat of their hometown, San Juan, Puerto Rico, reinterpreted through the lens of the creative local DIY scene. The breadth of the genres they encompass is representative of their transnational experience; of their two homes and how they complement each other. The result is a harmonious, transportive blend of island rhythm and city edge, a style they call “dreambow.” Balún’s unique style is one not to miss, catch them live at Rough Trade on July 12th. – Lily Crandall

Actress and singer-songwriter Lola Kirke dropped a double-whammy of news over the past week; she released the music video for her latest single "Supposed To" on Thursday, and announced that her first full-length album "Heart Head West" will see the light on August 10. Both the single and the album deal with matters personal to Kirke; self-doubt, family matters, and pressures from society bubble to the surface in her lyrics. In the video for "Supposed To", which Kirke directed herself, an older woman allows herself to let loose. Kirke says of the track: "How rebellious would you feel if you had spent your life just doing things that you felt that you were supposed to do? That society told you to do?" Kirke explores that theme and more on the upcoming LP; she’ll support its release with three shows at Union Pool on August 21, 22, and 23. Watch the video for "Supposed To" below. – Will Sisskind