New York-based performer Baby Copperhead shares his namesake with a notably harmless breed of snake; unlike the animal, he’s got some bite. WNYC called him “the banjo visionary,” but he’s also a singer, a songwriter, a guitarist, an experimentalist. His music is both expansive and intimate; his sound like nothing you’ve ever heard a banjo make but also like every melody your mother sang to lull you to sleep. – Rachel Kerr
Mïrändä brings edgy electronic art pop in ‘Empire’ EP
Born and raised in New York City, Miranda Scott—better known as Mïrändä—is a solo electronic artist that’s been catching some attention this summer, playing established small NYC venues like The Knit, Pianos and Bowery Electric. Her carefully crafted electronica is uplifting and unpretentious, with inventive drops and catchy choruses to match. Her lilting soprano in tracks like “Cruel 2 B Kind” (streaming below) is reminiscent of a Heart of Glass-era Debbie Harry, while the production is more electronic and even experimental at times. Her Empire EP shows her range as a producer as well as a singer, while her activity on the live show circuit proves she is not just a "bedroom artist." – Lilly Milman
Yaeji drops “Last Breath” with parody makeup tutorial vid
NYC and Seoul-based Yaeji’s tracks have been percolating on the house scene throughout 2017 (Yaeji’s killer rework of “Passionfruit” is exhibit A). Her latest single, a breathy and breathless deep house banger, sees the DJ/producer threatening a real breakthrough. Released by the LA/NYC music label GODMODE (who’ve been consistently dropping fire Yaeji tracks), “Last Breath” is a sonically fascinating haze-collage of Yaeji’s icy, wispy vocals merged with stylish, soulful synth and percussion touches. It all coheres beautifully. The vaguely tribal percussion really does the trick. Icing on the cake is the make-up tutorial video accompanying “Last Breath,” which reveals a sneakily brilliant media/self-awareness. Yaeji is no joke. -juan leon
Sore Thumb brings sunny, surfy rock to Feral on 9.22
To call the Bay Area’s Sore Thumb surf rock would be a restrictive oversimplification. While the beginning half of their debut LP An Album By… is straight-up, 60s inspired, reverb-drenched rock, the record moves on from that pretty quickly. A few of the middle tracks, like “No Right, No Wrong” and “Meltdown,” explore darker undertones and move deeper into the territory of alternative rock. However, like a rubber band snapping back into shape, the sunny, surfy rock that Southern California has grown to love returns in “That’s Why” (streaming below) and remains throughout the end of the track list. This LP is also accompanied by a visual album that is streaming on the band’s YouTube. Currently, the LP is available for free download for anyone who attends a show or connects with the band on Facebook. Catch their next live show at Feral in Oakland on September 22nd. – Lilly Milman
Overlake opens for The Brian Jonestown Massacre + talks about stompboxes
Overlake specializes in serving up gazey and delicious tracks that showcase strong melody-writing chops. They are playing a high profile show in Philly tomorrow (September 6th), opening for The Brian Jonestown Massacre (New Yorkers will be able to catch them at Gold Sounds on October 4th). Though there’s enough wall-of-sound goodness to sink your teeth into, the band also manages to meld upbeat, indie-inspired choruses that you may find echoing up in the space between your ears all day. Our friends at Delicious Audio asked them to share a little bit about the gear that helps to define their gorgeous noise – check out the Q&A here, and their recent video for ‘Unnamed November,’ streaming below). – Olivia Sisinni, Photo: Naomi Scott
Issue #51 of The Deli is out – Ian Sweet + BK Stompbox Exhibit!
Oy, nu-music lurvers!
The new issue of The Deli NYC is available for online reading here!
On the cover, fabulous math-dream-indie-rockers Ian Sweet (who are headed on tour with Frankie Cosmos!). Check out the video of our favorite single "#23" streaming below.
Oh and hey! It’s a Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit issue! If you love guitar pedals you don’t want to miss it, it’s chock full of them, including an interview with pedal guru Mike Matthews of NYC’s Electro_Harmonix!
The print version of it will hit the streets of NYC on September 1st!
The Folks at The Deli NYC
NYC’s Black Coast to play at Welcome Campers festival (September 8-10)
This upcoming weekend (September 8-10), the Brooklyn-based music blog The Wild Honey Pie will be hosting its fifth annual Welcome Campers festival at Camp Lennox, MA. More than a festival, this is some sort of super-affordable group vacation for hipster into indie pop – a pretty rad idea if you ask us. The organizers always book a lot of great emerging NYC artists, and among those performing this year are electronic pop outfit Black Coast, a one man project that has received a lot of streaming love with recent single “Feel Something” (streaming below). Released earlier this year, this track features a fun and tasteful blend of electronic sounds with a luscious dream pop flavor. You can find the lineup and details for the festival here. – Pearse Devlin
Buzz Alert! Maybird opens for Portugal, the Man + lands September residency at The Knit
2017 has been a good year for NYC’s melodic psych rockers Maybird: after releasing the "Unraveling" EP back in June, including the single “Keep In Line” featured by The Deli a few months back, the band was asked in quick succession to play a September residency at the Knitting Factory and to open a couple shows for Portugal, The Man during their upcoming fall tour. At the Knit, on September 14th, 21st, and the 28th, you’ll also be treated to fellow NY psych-flavored projects Evolfo and Steady Sun, the former joining their performances on the 14th, and the latter on the 21st. But for now, check out Maybird’s most popular single ‘Turning into Water,’ streaming below. – Pearse Devlin
Ninjasonik brings electro-hip-hop to Brooklyn Bazaar, 09.03
Ninjasonik is one of those rare musical "variety packs" that actually work. Pressing play is grabbing out of the hat, bringing surprising variations of hip hop, punk, pop. Their experimentation is defiant but, most importantly, it’s fun.
The duo’s flows offer meta-reflections of the genres they borrow from, adding a surprisingly intellectual element to their catchy beats, their particular brand of non-conformity offers a unique energy. Make sure to soak it up at their upcoming show at the Brooklyn Bazaar on 09.03. —Amanda Ogea
FRNDS to bring melodic emo rock to house venue Sunnyvale (09.09)
Nashville 5-piece FRNDS is just one of the many great new bands taking the music scene back from fat-cat record labels and commercialism. Their newest single “Wasting Your Time” (streaming below) a melodic mix of shoegaze and indie rock, complete with emo-influenced vocals and driving guitar riffs. The lyrics, written by lead vocalist and guitarist Nathan Brooks, are simple and show some stoner rock influences (“I’m so afraid you’ve been wasting your time / ‘cause I am not good enough / and I’ll never get it right,”) but they’re not without feeling either. Brooks’ voice can at once be droney and emotional, which is what makes their sound so unique. Catch them playing their next show at their house venue Sunnyvale on September 9th. – Lilly Milman
Toulouse guides soul-electronic to Communion NYC 09.05
Electronic NYC artist Toulouse can produce anything from dancey electronic tracks to mellow soulful songs like "Reach Out" (streaming), featuring his borderline stoic vocals. With a few singles to his name, the project has garnered considerable attention, landing a spot on the soundtrack of Fifty Shades Darker with "No Running From Me", a soul-themed track that features a blues-based melody fit for a vintage rock and roll scene. The artist will be playing Communion NYC 09.05. – Tafari Lemma
Charlie & The Evil Mothers head to The 5 Spot on 09.08
Charlie Shea is the mastermind behind the Nashville project Charlie & The Evil Mothers, a psych influenced indie garage rock outfit with two releases under its belt. The first is a self-titled EP that finds its home in a bluesy and experimental psychedelia. More recently, with the help of Todd Bolden on bass and Luke Fedorko on drums, Shea has released the single “Strings” (streaming below), a much more upbeat use of his signature croon. The guitar-driven track is a moody foray into the realm of fast-paced, reverb-drenched rock. Charlie & The Evil Mothers will be taking the stage next at The 5 Spot on September 8th at 9 pm. – Lilly Milman