Since it inception, Rock’n’Roll has always been music feeding itself with paradoxes (hey, it was born from a mix of white country and black blues!), and throughout its history it has thrived on sonic contradictions such as the psychedelic pop experimentations, shoegazer’s blend of noise and celestial melodies and the ’90s loud/quiet/loud leanings. Brooklyn’s Diet Cig‘s comment their new single ‘Tummy Ache’ (streaming below) in a way that perfectly fits with this narrative: "Tummy Ache’ is all about unpacking the feeling of approaching punk with radical softness, and the struggle when it’s not always read as powerful or cool or whatever enough. Its the shout into my pillow when what I’m saying isn’t being heard, and a big old I FEEL YA to all the femme folks creating space for themselves in a world that wants to keep us quiet." The duo is taking the opportunity of this single to announce the release of their debut album ‘Swear I’m Good At This,’ scheduled for April 7 on Frenchkiss Records. They will promote it through several live shows at SXSW and a month long US tour starting at Baby’s All Right on the dey of the release.

DC based Black Masala continues lighting up venues across the DMV with their signature blend of Eastern European Dixie funk.  Think polka and funk make strange bedfellows?  Think Again!  With a mix of screaming brass, strong guitar/bass riffs, and frenetic singing, the 9-piece band brings the funk to every show.  And with two albums and counting, the band just keeps on moving forward. 

Catch Black Masala January 27^th at the New Deal Café in Greenbelt, MD, or February 18^th at Big Chief in DC.  

In their recent sophomore LP ‘Illuminate Your Room,’ Staten Island’s slack rockers Bueno display a knack for unique story telling sung over a perfect mixture of sloppy-yet-organized instrumentation. If that brief description, and the band’s self congrutalory name, aren’t enough to convince you of their goodness, it may impress you the fact that these guys, after an east coast tour in the fall of 2016, are starting off the new year right, with what appears to be a three date residency at Shea Stadium on January 14th and the 26th, and on February 4th.  – Joeclyn Huggler

The Shivers, the project of songwriter Keith Zarriello, have been playing around New York since 2001, releasing their arresting, 19 tracks debut album ‘Charades‘ in 2004 (The Deli interviewed them back in 2010). They’re coming into 2017 with a fresh start after a brief hiatus and a lineup change that now sees Zariello playing solo, with a rotating cast of guests. A favorite of bands such as Deer Tick and celebrities like Aaron Paul and Rose McIver, the band has been consistently delivering mesmerizing and soulful songs that feel truly timeless – don’t miss break out single ‘Beauty.’ You’ll find in them the introspective thoughtfulness of Leonard Cohen and occasional departures in more experimental directions. Their latest album ‘Forever Is A Word‘ was released in 2015 and features single ‘Puppy Dog’ (streaming).

On February 18, The Shivers will perform at Music Hall of Williamsburg with opening acts Max Jury, Ashni, and Ben Talmi. A portion of ticket sales from the event will go towards The Jed Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting the emotional health of teens and young adults across America. – Will Sisskind

Few band names are more accurate than NYC’s Dizzyride. The band’s unique combination of dream pop, electro and soul music takes listeners on a wild ride that is bound to disorient in the best way possible. "Soundtrack," a single off of their forthcoming debut LP, feels like riding on a roller-coaster going in slow motion. The shuffled high-hats and bass drum parts seem ready to speed up, but are held tight by the expansive synth patterns and shimmering vocals. The best part comes at the end though, when sleepy saxophone riffs join the mix to form a stabilizing outro. We’re definitely looking forward to their debut album, due on 1/20, whose release will be celebrated at Baby’s All Right on 1/18. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Armed with an arsenal of synth sounds, soaring vocals, and experimental electronic vibes, Paris Monster weaves effortlessly across genres and decisive categorization. On his latest release, "Ain’t No Movin’ Me," the Brooklyn-based act showcases its prowess for hook writing/crafting a track that could stand without accompaniment as a blues-y, spirtual declaration, but is launched into another realm by its bed of synths and echoing choruses. An inspired take on blues-folk that’s both hypnotic and engaging, Paris Monster’s sound seems to edge toward what could be the new face of American roots rock. Check out his new single streaming below. – Olivia Sisinni

Brooklyn-based Vagabon’s vocals are sometimes wistful, sometimes haunting, but always seem to have a soft ethereal quality to them. An indie rock project spearheaded by Laetita Tamko, Vagabon navigates the spaces between dulcet tones and crunchy feedback effortlessly. While every track on her Persian Garden EP is worth spending time with, "Cold Apartment Floors" is a distinct stand-out–featuring the juxtaposition of thick, noisy guitars, against Tamko’s soft vocals; resonating like thunder and rain. You can check her out at Baby’s All Right with Mal Devisa and Jelani Sei 2/24, and in the meantime, be sure to stream her music below. – Olivia Sisinni

Need something to warm you up as you truck along the NYC-slush? Check out Dakota Jones, a Brooklyn-based four piece specialzing in the type of soulful rock that’s guaranteed to melt away even the steeliest winter blues. With warm, roots-rock guitar licks, and singer Tristan Carter-Jones’s honey-sweet vocals, the band makes unfussy music that refuses to compromise on visceral punches. Check them out live at the Bitter End 1/20 playing with Liquor Radio, Samia, Danielle Cardona, The BeriBeri, and The Bowery Boys, but in the meantime stream Dakota Jones below. – Olivia Sisinni

Facebook has gained such influence on our perception of the world, that finding a really good band when they only have a few hundred likes always feels very special. Enter Fixtures, a Brooklyn group with 204 – now 205! – Facebook likes. The quartet released their debut EP ‘Experienced Fainters‘ in 2014, combining the earnest yet creative slack rock of Modest Mouse with the lighthearted pop of Violent Femmes. Following LP ‘Watch Your Head,’ out in November 2015, develops a more personal voice, blending in other influences from the ’80s and ’90s (we hear R.E.M. and XTC and The Cars among others), within a sound that’s fuller and often also heavier. Track #3 ‘Gone Crazy’ (streaming below) is the pop highlight of the record, an enthusiastic love song where everything works like clockwork. You can see Fixtures live at Sunnyvale on February 1st.

 Having a song included in Little Steven’s Underground Garage "Coolest Song in the World" poll is one of those “honor just to be nominated” moments.  Diane and The Gentle Men’s single “Motorcycle” (streaming below) earned a place among that weekly group with 51 other artists ranging from local stars to very big international names.  The song and video pay a playful homage to the late 50’s/early 60’s ideal of a youthful desire for rock n’ roll kicks.  While clean-cut teenagers watch bad boy motorcycle movies on TV, Diane sings about “riding on the back with her ray bans and leather jacket” over a chugging rock rhythm.  Soon the kids are up dancing as the chorus hooks with lyrics “blame it on summer heat, when the moon is high, and the air is clear, and the sky is wide.”  The track stands out with numerous unexpected sonic twists, like the slightly askew descending keyboard line in the second verse and the momentum shifting percussive breaks, scattered throughout the tune.  There’s a country-western warmth to the chorus, with its chord structure, big impassioned lead vocal and sweet background harmonies. – Dave Cromwell

Now in its 11th edition, "THE REVOLUTION" concert series at National Sawdust has consistently held it down by featuring talent both top-notch and under the national radar, but always local. Which is the reason why this ver blog decided to partner with them! This month’s cream of the crop features CE of Quincy Vidal spitting and singing his solo stuff, Krychek’s bizzare electropop and the loungy hip-hop of Kala and the Lost Tribe. 

CE (pronounced "See," pictured) is 1/2 of NY indie-rap stalwart Quincy Vidal, also an established emcee/producer. His solo recordings feature sedated instrumentals and potent lyrics that are mostly rapped but often sung as well. Krychek, the only non hip hop artist on the bill, will break the funky grooves with music that sounds like a surprisingly functional marriage between Nine Inche Nails and Tears for Fears. Their punky, spacy electropop is at times unstable, at others tranquil but always transfixing.  Kala and The Lost Tribe serve the classic, never cliché, combo of poignant, clever rapping over jazzy, keys-driven backing tracks. Check out their recent single/video ‘Chill" streaming below.

You can catch these NYC artists live at The National Sawdust on 1/21 – and copies of The Deli will be there! —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Hailing from La Verne by way of Pomona, the suburban experimental tribe Tomber Lever release their new album Furniture Pedagogue on Pacific Nature Records tomorrow, January 7. The quartet’s brand of infectious and genre-bending rock ‘n’ roll permeates with themes of family, showcasing creative efforts of the tight-knit DIY community that cultivated them. Pacific Nature Records is releasing the album on cassette tape with two different covers and tape splatters with J-card. 

Listen to "No. 12" off Furniture Pedagogue below and watch Tomber Lever perform tonight at VLHS to kickoff their tour "4,000 Miles to Graceland" with Birote the Musical, support from Judcody Limon and Harriers of Discord. Need an address? Ask a punk. – Ryan Mo