Deli Readers,

We’ve been publishing the yearly Austin issue of The Deli (coinciding with SXSW) since 2011, and it’s our only print issue that’s not exclusively focused on just NYC artists. 

After last year’s fun, "PsycheDelic" approach, we decided to dedicate this year’s issue almost entirely to synth and pedals (and bands of course!), in an effort to promote our Austin Stompbox Exhibit and Synth Expo – which, if you are a gear geek heading to Austin next week, should not miss!

However, the highlight of this issue is an article about women and technology. Hope you enjoy it!

LISTEN TO A PLAYLIST OF THIS ISSUE HERE (or below)!

The Deli’s Staff

P.S. You’ll see the printed issue in Austin next week and in NYC the week after.

Revival pop and rock require, more than any other genres, a selection of wardrobe and colors that are appropriate to the era referenced in the band’s music, but possibly with some elements of "new" in it. Brooklyn’s new project Fascinations Grand Chorus excels at that, sporting a look that’s very late ’50s/early ’60s, but choosing to push the classic pastel tones of those years in a more vibrant direction, with slightly psychedelic results. Is that also how their music sounds like? To a certain extent. Overall, it’s very anchored to those pre-Beatles years in the UK, with Stephanie’s vocals disciplinately singing vintage pop melodies between bee bop and Rock’n’Roll; however, some psychedelic edge is introduced by guitar parts that – like in single "Welcome" (streaming) – are at times reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s early records. The duo released their debut, self titled EP last year and a follow up ‘Actor/Actress EP‘ early in 2017.

One of the most exciting resurgences in music lately, and the most important, has been artists’ eagerness to politicize their work. With his newest music video for “Make You,” Fusilier boldly doubles down on the messages of self-love and acceptance he’s expressed on his previous works. In the video, streaming below, we see Fusilier in three versions, whited out, normal, and blackfaced. In his own words, this division represents how he is seen by others as “themselves and the other, friend and enemy, lust and aversion” all at the same time. The song itself conveys the anguish this gaze causes him, but the video ultimately ends with Fusilier, his normal self, triumphing out his other, false, versions. We already knew that Fusilier had talent, but projects like these prove him to be an artist with the rare ability to instill compelling political issues in his original avant-soul productions. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

The thought of Austin during SXSW (read: sonic chaos with loud music coming from every direction) is inherently discordant with the music played by Kayo Dot‘s Toby Driver in his new solo project. If his original band was not exactly one to shatter eardrums (not a bad thing), the songwriter’s new tracks available for streaming take things a couple of notches in a quieter and sparser direction, with an added mystical aura. Check out single Craven’s Dawn, streaming below, and don’t miss the opportunity to take a break from SXSW’s madness when Toby plays the Hideout on March 16th.

We’ve been following NYC’s Jasmine Golestaneh for a while now, and always found her music compelling – maybe because we grew up listening to tense and dark post punk music. Her current project, Tempers, offers a dark brand of electronic pop that suits her deep and intense soprano. The duo just released a new five track EP entitled ‘Fundamental Fantasy,’ which develops their sound in a more melodic direction, without necessarily embracing the sunny side of life. The band will be playing several shows next week in Austin, including one at Hotel Vegas on March 16. Check out single ‘Tail in My Mouth’ (streaming below), and last year’s video for ‘Undoing’ – from their debut album ‘Services‘, which we missed to highlight.

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

Physical media fans, rejoice: After releasing Million $$$ Dream online last October, Brooklyn’s alt-pop quartet Twiga are about to drop that album in tape format via the label Effortless Crush. The glittering gold cassette comes with a digital download code for the album, so that regular people (i.e. those who don’t own a cassette player) can actually listen to it. To celebrate the release of Million $$$ Dream on cassette, Twiga will play a show at The Gateway on March 17th. The event, called "Write Your Reps!" also features fellow Brooklyn bands Fat Heaven, Narc Twain, Medium Mystic, and Debbie Downer. – Will Sisskind

EDIT: A previous version of this article noted the location of this show as Shea Stadium. Due to the recent closure of Shea Stadium, this show has changed its location to The Gateway. – WS

Brooklyn’s Adiós Ghost just unveiled the first single off of their upcoming debut LP, Fade Out With Your Phantoms, which is set to come out in April. While Adiós Ghost continues to embrace the West African-inspired sounds of their past, they’ve introduced influences of new wave and funk into "Uncanny Valley", referencing the groove-centered rock of early-80s art-rock legends such as Peter Gabriel. Those familiar with the band’s 2016 release Endless Return will hear more of the signature driven vocals from Ben Sigerson, as well as other familiar voices through featured guests C.F. Watkins and Half Waif‘s Nandi Plunkett. The track itself was recorded at the studio of Drew Vandenberg, who’s done production work for Of Montreal and Futurebirds, among others.

To celebrate the release of "Uncanny Valley", Adiós Ghost will perform at the Knockdown Center in Queens on March 9th with Shy Layers and Faten Kanaan. Stay tuned for details of Adiós Ghost’s Eastern U.S. tour, which will happen this spring after the release of Fade Out With Your Phantoms. – Will Sisskind

Kensington, MD is definitely not known for hip-hop, and yet, in a city defined by office buildings and a quaint, elderly feel, rapper Seez Mics has been slowly honing his craft for more than twenty years. The result of his steady musical output is his latest release, WITH, and it is pretty sweet. WITH two other rappers featured on every song (hence the title of the album), and the help of producer Scott Kuzner, Nicholas Policy (Seez Mics) and Co. have brought some serious poetic flow to this albm. On top of the pleasing beats and rhythm, clever rhymes and personal touches give this album a real sense of honesty.

Here’s "Won’t You" from Steez’s new album WITH.

-Written by Michael Dranove

The first song on Venn‘s self-titled EP, "Surreal", starts out on solid ground, but before you know it the dreampop kicks in and this EP never comes down again.  The textures of the album, to put it simply, are pretty.  The sounds of shoegaze, dreampop, and indie psychedelia blend nicely.  Specifically, the vocals sound almost like what might happen if Morrisey did shoegaze, insolent but cool as heck and full of passion.

All in all a great first original release from these DC youngsters.       

-Written by Michael Dranove       

Trio Ian Sweet, the brainchild of Los Angelinos guitarist Jilian Medford, relocated from Boston to Brooklyn in 2016. The city has been kind to them: the group has gathered a fair amount of interest since the move, after which they released two records in quick succession (their early releases, a lot more experimental, date back as far as 2013). While the earlier of the two (a self titled mini-LP) sounds like a transitional album, ‘Shapeshifter‘ delivers a sound that’s edgy, fun and mature – within the perimeters of the DIY aesthetics, which despise maturity. It’s a mix of math rock, indie pop and psychedelia that marries the cerebral and the imaginative in surprising ways. Jilian’s voice, always distorted in a blurry way, conveys a violent brightness to the tracks, and is at times reminiscent of early Bjork. Breakout single #23 (streaming bewlow) is the perfect exemplification of the band’s disciplinately unruly pop expressionism. The record is a constant surprise, full of incredibly vibrant sounds, often drenched with rare passion (‘2soft2chew‘) but also prone to playfulness (‘All Skaters Go To Heaven‘). The feeling we get is that ‘Shapeshifter’ is a sonic portrait of a band in the perfect musical sweet spot (like the Pixies on ‘Surfer Rosa’), that confidently balances a youthful imagination with quality songwriting, and a sound that’s daring without being over-produced. 

Ian Sweet will soon be going on tour that will take them to Austin for SXSW and then to the West Coast.

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

Born and raised in Brooklyn, singer-songwriter Reonda operates in the minimalistic realm of musical production. A highlight song of her latest album ‘Lightness of Being‘ is ‘Tonight in Mexico,’ tastefully arranged with delicate strings, a metronomic beat and wistful acoustic guitar accompaniment. The simplicity of her songwriting is highlighted in the album cover, showcasing a subtle, reflective warmth. Reonda was among the NYC artists selected to be performing at an official SXSW show, on March 16th (Lamberts, 8pm). – Geena Kloeppel

The Deli NYC is proud to sponsor National Sawdust’s one year anniversary of The Revolution (VOL. 13), scheduled for March 18th at the stunning venue in the heart of Williamsburg. The performance series continues to highlight rising local artists who strive to showcase the evolution of this city’s amazing and multi-faceted music scene. Performing at the upcoming show are the following artists: R&B-influenced Marie Davy, indietronic crooner Iris Lune, the jazz vibraphone virtuoso ‘Nikara Warren presents Black Wall Street,’ avant-pop prodigy Arthur Moon, hip-hop rhyme master Jakk Tha Rhyma of Pro Era, and the Cuban-influenced sounds of (U)nity. For those looking to tap into what’s coming up in the New York music scene, this show is a must-see. More details for the March 18th event are available through Eventbrite. – Will Sisskind