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

Max Gardener is only 19 years old, but he already has all the makings of the next bedroom pop sweetheart. Following in the footsteps of male solo acts like Mac Demarco, Ariel Pink, and Alex Calder, he’s grimy looking but makes sweet music. His latest single, "Sudden Love" is a twinkling synthpoppy song that fits right in with his predecessors, with a smoother and more lo-fi approach than his prior releases. Gardener’s last EP, "New In Town" from this April 2017, also posses twinkles, and plenty of jammy electric guitar. Gardener, although still a teen, has been releasing music since 2015 – listening to his discography shows how he’s matured over the years. "Sudden Love" opens up a new chapter in his musical career, one that we hope will launch him into that dirty lo-fi dreamboat clique that we all know and love. See him in his hometown of San Francisco at Rickshaw Shop on September 10th. -Allie Miller

The new minimalistic video for “If I Lied” (streaming below) by singer-songwriter Los Angeles Police Department (aka Ryan Pollie) is cute, quirky, and makes the most of the little things in life (like watching the National Dog Show, or a great late show special) to tell a story about the bridge between reality and imagination. Pollie’s vocals carry the listener through a dreamy, melodic track that is both breezy and driven. Los Angeles Police Department will be playing his next show on September 8th at the Constellation Room, and then following up with a residency at Bootleg that begins on November 6th. – Lilly Milman

On August 26th, the artist-run venue National Sawdust in Brooklyn will be hosting the 18th installment of the monthly Revolution series—an event dedicated to fostering community by showcasing local performers from Brooklyn and Harlem. The three artists chosen to represent their respective genres this month are Valerie Orth, The Odd Hawk Orchestra, and Khemestry and The Harlem Society.

Headlining the event will be Harlem-via-Washington D.C. trumpeter Khemestry and his side project The Harlem Society, of which he is the bandleader. The Brooklyn 9 piece band The Odd Hawk Orchestra, led by Jacques Boudreau, will also be performing, bringing together international musicians to create music you can dance to. Producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Valerie Orth will provide a change of pace with her unique brand of feminist-influenced alt-pop. – Lilly Milman