Tall Tall Trees aka Mike Savino, is the answer to that question: What should banjo playing sound like in 2017? Even if you’ve never given second thought to experimental banjo music, you’re going to want to check this out. The banjo-driven music of Tall Tall Trees is both innovative and impressive—and even more so when you consider that the sweeping soundscapes of Savino’s music are often the result of a one-man show. Wielding what he’s dubbed the Banjotron 5000, Tall Tall Trees makes use of mulit-fx pedals, and precisely timed loops to craft large sounds swells and multi-tiered tracks. Check out his latest video premiere, "SeagullxEagle" streaming below and see what I’m talking about.-Olivia Sisinni

Here was a music video that put a smile on my face: DC Deli emerging artists of the month Venn covering one of my all-time favorite songs, Ceremony by New Order. Venn does a nice job capturing the sound of the original track and wrapping it in their own shoegaze sound, setting it all to a cute, superbly retro video.

Being such a huge fan of the original it’s hard for me to refrain from nitpicking. I do wish the guitars were more lo-fi and the vocals a little less intelligble among other things, but reservations aside a fantastic homage to a classic.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Havana Seoul’s “Payday: Revenue, The Stunt” is at once laid back and full of excitement.  Crunchy, open air backing tracks and playful rhymes combine to capture the sound of a blissful feeling made possible by making money and buying brand new shoes.  Whether or not making money and spending it is enough to satisfy you, when the beats drop on this track and Mi-Yung starts rhyming the music becomes truly irresistible. -Written by Michael Dranove

After a pretty inconsistent winter, it feels good to be able to finally claim that Spring has officially arrived in NYC. Is the good weather leaving you on the hunt for something new to pass through your earbuds, as your stroll, jacket-less and basking in the sunshine? Well, take a listen to local indie rockers, Petite League. The NYC-based band produces the breezy sort of indie rock that is guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Their tunes are catchy, but with real heart–a perfect companion to warm nights. Catch them live at Baby’s All Right 4/15 alongside VARSITY and Fruit & Flowers, and stream them below. -Olivia Sisinni

“Lover,” the latest release from NY-based EDM artist Eli Tyler combines the pop-writing prowess that Tyler has become known for, with creative off-beat sampling to produce a massively catchy track that still feels true to itself. Tyler’s raspy, understated vocals play deliciously against the full force of the visceral hooks in his choruses, resulting in a tune that will pitch a tent between your ears and not budge anytime soon after. Check out “Lover” streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni 

NJ-based bedroom indie pop band, Rhea, craft songs the ring like delicate love notes–unassuming, but incredible poignant. Featuring soft, feminine vocals and un-fussy guitar ornamentation, there’s something immediately compelling about the band’s songwriting. Lyrics like "I know that you want me / for my body / but I want you / in a different kind of way" showcase how Rhea’s strength is in their symplicity, and their innate ability to tap into something universal, effortlessly.  Check out "3am" by Rhea streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Prima‘s latest single, "SAMBA", is a delicious romp in tortuous tension. The Brooklyn-based band has mastered the art of keeping their cards close to chest, and makes a habit of never revealing any more musical phrases than they need to. Driven by angular guitar leads, primative drum beats, and wild-yet-controlled female vocals, SAMBA is a slow burn that pushes its listeners right up to edge, but never fully loses its cool. Check out the track streaming below, and keep your eyes peeled for Prima’s lates EP, Performance, to be released this month.-Olivia Sisinni

Brooklyn-based by way of Virginia, Winstons are serving up home-fried garage soul the way your daddy likes it. The two-man powder keg of a band busts out blues rock in all its brassy and barefaced glory–crafting tracks that play out like a cross-country drive on the interstate. Recording directly to tape, the livewire, unbridled passion that pulses through the band’s tracks is left totally intact, and if anything’s for sure, they don’t quite make ’em like this anymore. Catch Winstons live at Ethyl’s 4/11 and make sure you stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni

The liner notes to Poppy Patica‘s debut release, Tripping None, claim that the music is a blend of modern experimental pop and 80’s pop/punk. However, listening to this EP for the first time I was overwhelmed by memories not of listening to 80’s music for the first time, but rather of listening to of Montreal’s first album Cherry Peel, released in 1997. What came across to me on this album was the sound of 90s- indie legends like of Montreal, The Unicorns, and Deerhoof/hunter.

From the heart twinging chord changes on “Sink” to the lo-fi buzz of “Top”, this release modernizes some of the best elements of 90’s indie pop, and the result is truly wonderful.

A great debut from DC’s Poppy Patica.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Savage, Maryland based (seriously) power metal outfit Burning Shadows returns with their third full length release, Truth in Legend. True to the power metal penchant for symphonic tales of medieval era non-fiction and fantasy, Truth in Legend features songs about Norse mythology, the execution of the Knights Templar, and a song inspired by the game Skyrim. Whether power metal is your thing or not, the musicianship on this album is impressive. There is nary a guitar riff that doesn’t line up perfectly with the tight, driving drum/bass beats; and the lead singer moves through upper and lower registers with ease.

Here is “Day of Darkness” from Burning Shadow’s latest release, Truth in Legend.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Who would have thought that a Latvia-born band would get American rock so right? Brooklyn-based via the Baltics, Astra the 22s is a classic, dirty, rock ’n’ roll duo that smacks of 80’s glam without surrendering fully to it. Their latest banger of a song, “Stranger,” is a boom-click, percussive-led track with some serious teeth. Hazy synths, and fuzzy guitars frame singer Kerija Kaleja’s  vocals as she flexes her chops through high-register choruses and low, breathy verses. You can check out "Stranger" streaming below, and keep your eyes peeled for a new release, coming to you April 28th. – Olivia Sisinni

We often reward musical madness here at The Deli, because this is a city inextricably tied to psychosis and the overactive imagination that often goes with it. Brooklyn’s Home Blitz is a band that fit this description, and that’s certainly why they were our NYC Record of the Month in May 2016. You’ll be able to catch them live at Union Pool on April 29, do not miss!

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