The Deli is intimately familiar with the musical inclinations of electronic musician and composer Dan Friel, having featured his previous band Parts & Labor on the cover of its 11th NYC issue back in 2006. The noise rock group called it quits in 2012, after which Friel mostly focused on running his label Cardboard Records in conjunction with former P&L bassist J.Warshaw. We are thrilled to find out that Dan has a new project, and that it’s as noisy as his previous one. Named Upper Wilds, the band plays what could be described as a noisy brand of drone-rock with industrial and (rather buried) pop influences. Distorted guitars, synths, drums, and vocals overlap and blend, in some kind of well orchestrated orgy of fuzz. Dan’s earnest sounding vocal melodies, at times reminiscent of early R.E.M. and seminal hardcore band Hüsker Dü, emerge from this sea of distortion, somehow giving it an organized shape. Like the aforementioned bands’ records, this album has a monolithic, recognizable sound, but what it loses in variety, it gains in power and impact – we can’t find a weak song in it. The group will be celebrating the release of their debut album "Guitar Module 2017" at Alphaville on October 7th.
Bermuda Angels Premiere Self-Titled Debut 09.29
Bermuda Angels offers half entrancing, half disturbing synth-driven art-pop that is dark and seductive, bewildering in its own way. Sophie Kadow’s chilling and dizzying vocals are tempered by the warmer, more grounded lyrical style of her artistic partner, Bermuda Jones.
Fromthe band’s self-titled LP comes the single “On The Run,” a love-song to toxicity and a loss of self, further cemented by the surrealistic Spaghetti Western backdrop of the single’s music video. Catch the disorienting Bermuda Angels LP on September 29th and succumb to the delirium. – Amanda Ogea
THIS SATURDAY! Deli sponsored LPR’s Mini-Fest “Rubblebucket Dream Picnic” at the Knockdown Center
(Le) Poisson Rouge is known for bringing eclectic NYC artists together, and their upcoming, Deli sponsored, mini-festival “Rubblebucket Dream Picnic" keeps faith to this trend. The show gets its name from its headliner and curator of this event, Rubblebucket, a funkadelic, uber-fun pop band led by an ensemble of experienced multi-instrumentalists originally from "Jam Band State" (Vermont). Joining the group are other NYC acts with a similar flair for the fun and groovy: Delicate Steve, Alexander F., and Kalbells (check them all out in the event’s playlist, streaming below). More than just this exciting lineup, the Rubblebucket Dream Picnic is an all-ages event starting at 3pm that promises a variety of games and food as well as yoga, special guest DJs and… DELI MAGAZINES!!! It’s a great way to escape the city without traveling too far on one of the last warm weekends of the year, on 09.30 at Richmond’s Knockdown Center – there will be a shuttle taking you there from the Cobra Club Bar every 15 minutes, see you there! – Amanda Ogea
Dances release new single “R U With It?” + play fall residency at Alphaville
Bands, like people, can change a lot in two years. And if one song may be enough be enough evidence to make final statements about the sound of Brooklyn indie band Dances, it’s fair to say that their new single "R U With It?" (streaming below), is quite a bit mellower than their previous material, in partcular in the electric guitar department. What we all tend to forget, though, is that people always change for a reason: ‘R U With It?’ was written by songwriter Trevor Vaz after being diagnosed with purely obsessional OCD, and tackles the contradictory feelings triggered by such discovery. Bushwick venue Alphaville gave the band a three date live residency this fall; the first one will be on September 27 with local Ghost King and Mons Vi and Los Angeles’ Boyo.
Big Bliss back in Brooklyn at The Footlight on 10.05
Since releasing the angular “Fortune” single this past spring, Brooklyn trio Big Bliss have been spreading their post-punk influenced indie rock around with a steady stream of gigs in the city and a run of shows down the coast and into the Midwest over the summer. The band’s knack for power pop style hooks and shimmering guitar tones sets Big Bliss apart from contemporaries in the genre. Check out their recent video for single "High Ideal" and catch them live at The Footlight on October 5th. – Cameron Carr
Mons Vi delivers bedroom electro-pop sound to Mercury on 09.28
New single “Divina,” released in August by bedroom pop project Mons Vi, sounds like a(nother) sonic departure for Matthew Hershoff’s brainchild, but one that sounds very promising. The Columbia grad got us hooked early on this year with his tasteful lo-fi track “Away”, and following album Relic 1, a record that blended the songwriter’s melancholic and atmospheric pop with occasional edgier tunes reminiscent of the early Strokes. "Divina," on the other hand, seems to represent a successful transition towards crisper and livelier electro-pop instrumentation, with an added multi-cultural flavor represented by Adrianne Gonzalez’s voice, sharing lead vocals duties with Hershoff – in Spanish. While waiting for new material, you can catch Mons Vi live at Mercury Lounge on September 28th, alongside other NYC bands Late Guest at the Party and Glass Gang. – Pearse Devlin
High Waisted share new music, tour US and play Rough Trade on 11/4
With the release of two new singles while embarked on an extensive U.S. tour, Brooklyn’s High Waisted look to expand their reach. Moving beyond the garage and surf rock beginnings, this newer material appears to take on a broader scope. “Free Throw” is an anxious chugger that expresses internal self-doubt. “Wish I couldn’t remember – the mistake I made. I’ll be better on my own.” Although recorded in NY, the Nashville touch on mixing and mastering adds a subtle level of country-pop sheen. “Firebomb” stomps harder with more prominent drums, crunchy rock guitars and Jessica’s sassy snarl lead vocals matched against dreamier background voices. Both tracks come paired with two others from current tour mates The Coax, available now on vinyl and digital from Little Dickman Records. Their current US tour has them playing nearly every night until early November before the band returns home on November 4th at Rough Trade. – Dave Cromwell
Eric Copeland releases “Goofballs” on DFA Records
Eric Copeland (also a member of Black Dice) just dropped his latest record, “Goofballs,” today. Copeland’s exploration of the dance genre is dazzling on “Goofballs.” “Neckbone” is a standout deconstruction and homage to the techno genre. “Close Encounters” cycles through tones, moods, genres, and rhythms but never falters. The names may be silly but the tracks bang. The same rebellious, curious spirit that characterizes Black Dice’s noise-influenced take on experimental rock shines through on “Goofballs.” And even more remarkable is how the record remains imminently melodic and danceable. –juan leon
No Regular Play perform (LIVE) at Baby’s All Right 09.30
What immediately comes through in a cursory survey of No Regular Play’s catalogue is a love for the jazz and hip-hop influences the DJ/production duo proudly claim. A Tribe Called Quest and Miles Davis can clearly be heard as influences, in deconstructed form, throughout the group’s single “Hear You Sing.” In fact, Rudists’ remix of “Hear You Sing” brings the connection to the forefront of the track. The results are undeniable. No Regular Play’s melding of nu-disco, house, R&B, and jazz creates something soulful and fresh. No Regular Play will be performing a live set at Baby’s All Right on September 30. -juan leon
Love Nothing’s “Waiting for Godot” Featured in Good Vibes 2nd Volume Compilation, House Show with New Bassist Tonight
Mallgoth revival group Love Nothing recently featured their single "Waiting for Godot" in Common Ground Records’ second massive compilation "Good Vibes." September proceeds to the 91-song comp go to fund the Keep A Breast Foundation.
Additionally, Cindy Sukrattanawong (Littlest Sister, Batwings Catwings, ex-Dustin and the Explosions) joins as Love Nothing’s new bassist following the amicable departure of Cesar Alas (The Unending Thread); see her debut performance with them tonight at a Los Angeles DIY house show.
Ian Chang Releases Debut Album at Baby’s All Right, 09.27
Ian Chang redefines what it means to be a drummer. Embarking on a solo-project aside from his work with Son Lux and Landlady, Chang focuses on bridging the gap between man and machine. He uses his drum-kit to manipulate music samples in order to weave music more dense and sensuous than perhaps otherwise possible, relying on crystalline polyrhythms to build and release tension. Experience Ian Chang at work when he releases his debut album “Spiritual Leader” at Baby’s All Right on 09.27. –Amanda Ogea
Yucca King drops new single “Know It All”
Looking to get your dreamy, alt fix? Brooklyn’s Yucca King produces heavy 90’s indie vibes, where laid back instrumentals meet wretching, bare-all vocals and angst-ridden lyricism. They just dropped their latest single, "Know It All," a track that would almost qualify for a ballad, if not for it’s bursting hook. Check out the band’s latest single streaming below. – Olivia Sisinni
