A shiver runs down our spines every time we read the words "self-directed video," in particular when applied to artists that play musical genres that require top notch production values (like soul music). But in the case of NYC’s soul-pop artist Raveena (previously known as Raveena Aurora) our premonitions were proved wrong. With the help of director James Ronkko, the artist of Indian and American descent created a simple, but truly beautiful video that matches the breezy, lightheartedly intimate vibes of her single "Sweet Time." A woman of many talents, Raveena not only looks incredibly comfortable in front of the camera, but also supports her art with commitment to social causes rarely found in soul pop acts. A debut EP is scheduled to be released at some point soon.

There’s a certain overarching sweetness that consumes the Denver/New York-based group, Strawberry Runners, but a close listen will reveal a far more complicated sound. The pop-driven arrangements and saccharine melodies support lyrics filled with darkness -a juxtaposition that’s at once uplifting and upsetting. The band is about to release a new EP entitled "In the Garden, In the Night," with a show at Trans Pecos on October 21st. Emi Night, the singing-songwriting force behind this project, is very much into stompboxes and our friends at Delicious Audio asked her some questions about it.

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

If you’re a fan of Florist’s ambient folk melodies and subtle production, you’re probably pretty excited about the group’s latest album and October 27^th headlining show at The Park Church Co-op. You’ll probably also fall for opener Lizard Kisses. The Brooklyn collective’s music has a similar melancholic minimalism, though veering in its own directions. Light on percussion, heavy on dual low-high vocals, and full of charming instrumentation like synth and glockenspiel, Lizard Kisses’ sound is somber and heartwarming at the same time. Get to the show early and see if you can resist falling for them. – Cameron Carr

NYC transplant (by the way of Toronto), Jill Peacock, may not have the ostentatious fervor of the bird who shares her name, but her music might give you a reason to strut like one. Her self-titled EP is 5-tracks worth of engaging soul-pop that prominently displays her effortless vocals against minimalist R&B instrumentals. It’s a release that will tempt even the most rigid listeners to head-bob along to the velvety beats. Stream her single "Sunshine," streaming below, and see her live at Pianos on October 22nd. -Olivia Sisinni

New York college student Emily Yacina has been quietly uploading music to Bandcamp since 2011, making her part of what’s becoming – for better or for worse– a somewhat ubiquitous subgenre of bedroom pop: DIY dream-writers. But unlike a lot of those artists, Yacina actually leaves her bedroom. And she gets pretty far, like all the way to Alaska far. That’s where she lived this summer, working at an environmental nonprofit. Her most recent release “Heart Sky” reflects that; it’s expansive but intimate, vast but quaint, like the state that inspired it. It’s wandering melodies most likely mirror her exploration of the state, and most definitely mirror our exploration of the album. She’ll be performing live at a very interesting event inside a New York church on October 27th with like-minded artists Florist and Lizard Kisses. It seems like the ideal setting for music that’s this quiet and intimate. – Rachel Kerr

National Sawdust is dropping yet another eclectic showcase with their latest Revolution show. On Saturday, October 21st, Revolution #20 will play host yet again to Brooklyn and Harlem based artists that are pushing the evolution of their genres. This weekend features Chandanie, Looms and Shareef Keyes and The Groove, who has a new a single coming out on 10/21 that features Ghostface Killah. According to the National Sawdust, the "series supports revolutionary artistry and how important music is to healing, in all aspects of life." Check it out for yourself here, and in the meantime, stream these video by the three local artists, below. – Olivia Sisinni

Fresh off of an appearance on WFMU’s The Goddamn Dave Hill Show, Benjamin Cartel returns to Rockwood on October 21st to release his newest album, Flickering Light. The record contains more of the indie sound which propelled Cartel’s songwriting and musical abilities to the eyes and ears of New York audiences as a solo artist and as a member of his duo, Kaiser Cartel. Cartel will play Stage 3 with his band; Violet Skies, soul artist Arthur Lewis, and the Andre Carvalho Group will open. Watch the video for "Down Now", a single from Flickering Light, below. – Will Sisskind

The Nuclears might sound like a some unearthed garage-y gold from your latest crate digging escapades, but the five-piece have only been tearing up the NYC-scene for not even a decade. The band plays raw rock ‘n’ roll the way your daddy used to like, with all the electricity of old-school punk acts, and they even dabble in dirty rock-a-billy for the discerning rock purist. Check them out live at Sunnyvale 10/21 and be sure to check out their music below. – Olivia Sisinni

Brooklyn-based Plates of Cake serves up sweet, creamy psych pop that manages to be trippy without ever being jarring. With a sound that’s reminiscent of a more Beach Boys-y Syd Barrett, the easy listening aspects of Plates of Cake’s songs are matched by their layers of sonic experimentation. Their new release, "Let’s Not Deprive Each Other" is no exception; the album is surprisingly moody, somewhat cynical, and most interestingly, seems to defy simple time-period classification. Strong melody writing, undeniable hooks, and great instrumentation are all on display here, so make sure you catch them live at Berlin 10/19. – Olivia Sisinni

The pulsing, free-flowing rhythms on “Kindness, Calmness” parallel the song’s buoyant vocals in mood if not in genre. In fact, the melding of electronic beats with lounge-y vocals leads to an overall effect that’s mildly jarring.

But lovely.

“Kindness, Calmness” is the second single from Novelty Daughter’s forthcoming LP Inertia (out November 3). There’s an almost strangeness to the work of the Brooklyn based artist that resists categorization (NPR labeled her a “jazz-electronic-pop” musician). 

“Kindness, Calmness,” as well as Inertia’s first single, “U Want What I Want” feel a bit out of step with the times, a bit outside, a bit otherworldly. And that’s a great thing. –juan leon

Pill’s fourth release to date, entitled ‘Aggressive Advertising,’ seconds the axiom according to which crazy sounding bands that manage to stick together only get better with time. The Brooklyn quartet’s earth shattering, saxophone-armed brand of noise/math rock finds a new musicality and maturity, both in devilishly aggressive tracks like "Empathizer (Rat in the Box)" (streaming), and more spacious numbers like "Side Eye" (streaming), which manages to blend a variety of disparate influences, including Morricone’s cinematic guitars, Naked City’s unexcpeted sonic assaults and Fugazi’s stilish, bass driven post-hardcore. The band, led by screamer in chief Veronica Torres, is a force to be reckoned with when on stage, so don’t miss their upcoming shot at Baby’s All Right on October 19th.

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

Darkwing’s music exists in the weird crossroads of lo-fi indie rock and garage-fueled punk, an intersection featuring catchy hooks and the dankest of memes for street signs. This is the self-aware punk of the Cyber Age, the soundtrack for stoned conversations after a night of longboarding. The Deli is excited to premiere their newest single, “Big Red Heart.” It offers a more subdued and intimate experience than previous work (a result of a Tascam 388 and a living room recording) while still preserving the same attitude. Celebrate with the band at Baby’s All Right on 10.18, a benefit show for fellow scene member Chelsey Pickthorn also featuring Fruit & Flowers, Grim Streaker and Hot Curl. —Amanda Ogea, photo by Thomas Ignatius