NYC songwriter Nick Llobet’s work has been intriguing to say the least, coming off equally as disturbing as compelling. “I Got No Car”, his latest single streaming below, features Nick’s signature quirky and borderline childish sounding vocals, somewhat reminiscent of a lynchian, sped up version of Bob Dylan’s nasal alto, enriched by amusing bursts of odd lyrics. The track’s lo-fi guitar and bass set the DIY tone, together with a simple drum beat, while bright arpeggiating synths are sprinkled on top like colorful sparkles, giving the tune that self-described jangly, “demented pop” vibe. Fans of the bizarre folk-pop of early Ween and Mac DeMarco shouldn’t miss his upcoming live performance is this coming September 2nd at 8PM at Berlin with all girl / all boy, Stringer, and Bernie & The Wolf. – Pearse Devlin

For those flirting with the idea of fleeing the bustling New York, Lovechild‘s new single and video "Northbound Train" might seem relatable. The psych-folk track has frontman Leo Liebeskind waxing nostalgic about the countryside, as he yearns for escape. The video shows Liebeskind and his band drive through the sleepy scenery of Upstate New York. Both the single and video provide a good segue from the pop of summer into the oncoming wistfulness of fall. Lovechild will perform at The Knitting Factory on August 29th, but you can hear their new single in their video below. – Will Sisskind

Lily Konigsberg (Palberta) and Andréa Schiavelli (Eyes of Love) have combined their respective songwriting skills on an upcoming release, Good Time Now, which is neither a conventional collaboration nor a split. Instead, Konigsberg and Schiavelli independently recorded their own songs while across the country from each other. The result is a compelling showcase of two very different songwriters’ interpretations of pop music. On their first joint single release (streaming), Konigsberg’s "Good Time" and Schiavelli’s "New Age Old Home" offer two notably different styles of songwriting that honor pop music’s golden rules of memorability and brevity. "Good Time" is a short, baroque-pop composition with elements of Frankie Cosmos and Sufjan Stevens, while "New Age Old Home" is a nod to Talking Heads and Joy Division, with its combination of the sardonic and the dull ache of quiet longing. The full album in is out on Bandcamp and available for digital pre-order via Ramp Local. – Ethan Ames

Set in a Brooklyn jazz club in 1927, Valerie Orth‘s new video for "Make Your Move" introduces us to a Tinder-free world where sexual relationships require bolder actions (and extra liquor), but also yield more fervent "consequences." The song was inspired by, and dedicated to, a "person of interest" who didn’t make a move, therefore leaving possible romantic scenarios to the songwriter’s imagination.

Earlier this year, the NYC artist launched a remix contest for this song through blend.io, and we are thrilled to be premiering here the EP of remixes featuring the winning tracks. Among them there’s NYC via Madison, WI producer Audible Doctor. 

Valerie will be performing at the Deli sponsored Revolution show tomorrow, August 26th, at National Sawdust, be there!

In a recent Facebook post, NYC-based garage favorites Stove – the solo project of Ovlov’s frontman Steve Hartlett – announced they would be beginning an "indefinite hiatus." Given Stove’s sparse live schedule this announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise, but still, we are sad to see them go. "Is Stupider," their 2015 full-length, was thoroughly enjoyed (and covered). We privately celebrated loud, funny, pissed-off tracks with imaginative titles like "Stupid," "Stupider," and "Stupidest" – heck, even Rolling Stones reviewed that record! Stove has been a fun and sonically rewarding project, but maybe instability is also something that deserves to be celebrated, it’s part of nature’s cycle: we are looking forward to Harlett’s next project. The last two Stove shows will be at Baby’s All Right on September 6th, and at Alphaville on September 24th. -Allie Miller 

Jake Wesley Rogers‘ name may sound familiar for fans of America’s Got Talent; the singer, who was only 15 at the time, appeared on the seventh season of the show and was a crowd favorite despite getting eliminated in the quarterfinals. Now he’s back, five years later, serving up his infectious blend of pop and blue-eyed soul to anyone who will listen. His debut EP called Evergreen was released in June, and it’s clear that he has seriously honed in on his strengths since his reality tv appearance. His next live show will be at The Basement on August 28th, alongside Bre Kennedy and Hadley Kennary. – Lilly Milman 


Watch the music video for “The Ghost In You” streaming below.

SF Bay Area songwriter Miranda Lee Richards is one week into their European tour, with upcoming shows in Scotland, Manchester, Norway, and Sweden from August 25th to September 2nd. The artist released an LP this past June, EXISTENTIAL BEAST, with dreamy and intense folk rock vibes and chamber aesthetics partly reminiscent of Nico’s solo work. The band will also make a stop at New York’s very own Pianos on September 13th! – Pearse Devlin

We’re really excited to share the news about Altopalo‘s upcoming performance at Pianos. This band has proven themselves time and time again in both their recordings and on stage. Their latest project, noneofuscared, blew us away back in 2016 with an ambitious incorporation of soulful vocals and uneasy psych instrumentals, all in an experimental fashion. The album is a joyride for avant/experimental music listeners, thanks to their ability to combine and edgy production with soulful vocals. And, as we remember, these guys bring the heat live, rocking the Deli’s CMJ Electro Stage at Pianos a few years back, so be sure to check Altopalo out on September 1st at 9PM! – Pearse Devlin

NYC band all boy / all girl will be bringing their eclectic style toManhattan’s Berlin on September 2nd alongside Nick Llobet, Stringer, and Bernie & the Wolf. After folkier beginnings, the band has recently spiced up their style with an unexpected turn towards power pop, which they’ve especially embraced in their recent 2016 track "Voyeur". Be sure to check out their entertaining show and dynamic live sound next week before they leave for a three week US tour! – Pearse Devlin

You might not expect a band from SF to self-identity as math-rock (kinda nerdy for this city, no?), but The Brankas went ahead and did just that. On their bandcamp page, along with chill-wave digital tunes, they produced something uniquely complex in their latest LP, starting from the title: "My Parkour Body is the Paint And The World Is My Canvas. I Don’t See Obstacles, I See Opportunities." If that doesn’t scare you off, you are in for a ride. All ten tracks are dedicated to sometimes electronic, sometimes just electric, and sometimes… borderline disturbing methods of experimentation. These two are here to surprise you, see them at El Rio on August 24th. -Allie Miller

On her latest singles, Raycee Jones comes across as a genre-bending artist with a wide range of influences. A self-professed protégé of Jill Scott, Beyoncé and Amy Winehouse, Jones writes songs that are sonically innovative. Her tracks contain warbling synths, chimes, complex beats and confessional lyrics. A regular performer at Rockwood Music Hall, Raycee is currently in the studio working on her debut EP. She’ll be performing with Joan As Police Woman at a (secret) show organized by Amnesty International on September 20th. Listen to "The Bomb" below! –Ethan Ames

Warning: the new single “Happy or Sad” (streaming below) by the Brooklyn trio Dead Stars might become your new slacking song of the late summer of 2017 – yes because late summers are the perfect time for slacking. Taking inspiration from classic ’90s outfits like Dinosaur Jr. and even Nirvana, the band integrates that distorted, loud-quiet-loud sound with pop-influenced, melody-driven choruses, creating self-deprecating songs you can dance to. The chorus of the single is infectious, as Jeff Moore sings “I know it’s really a drag, that I’m neither happy or sad” over completely fuzzed-out guitars. The song is an anthem for the ordinary—one that would even make Weezer proud. The band will be celebrate the release of their new full album Perfect Patterns at Sunnyvale on September 1st. – Lilly Milman