“Find Truth” is the latest single from NorwegianArms, the musical outlet for polymath Keith Birthday, a man constantly in motion between Philly and NYC, and who also called Siberia home. All of these places, as well as the experiences and emotions in them, have served as inspiration for the upcoming LP, Girard Freeloader. In preview single "Find Truth," darkness bubbles in simple synth riffs as sparse drums reverberate behind soft vocals, singing about the fears of aging, searching for truth, and lonely despair. Philly-bound? Catch Norwegian Arms at Johnny Brenda’s on December 15. Otherwise, look out for news about a release date for “Find Truth” as well as tour dates at venues near you. – Will Sisskind

Big Thief‘s debut album "Masterpiece" has been rocking our world this year – so much so that we named it The Deli NYC’s Record of the Month back in July. We asked the band’s guitarist Buck Meek (who also has a solo folk project we recommend checking out) to tell us about the stompboxes he uses when playing with the band; you can find his very thorough response on our sister blog Delicious Audio – link below! If you can afford it, tou can see Big Thief next on 12.03 at the Beacon Theater, sharing the stage with Cindy Lauper!

Buck Meek of Big Thief talks about his guitar pedals.

gobbinjr is the stage name of songwriter/producer Emma Witmer, a Wisconsian who ended up becoming a Brookyinite via NYU – and a big THANK YOU NYU, we can now officially blame you for Trump’s election! Emma plays gentle music, and although she likes to work solo, she enjoys wearing the hats of each (non existing) band member – each one suit her! Her debut album ‘Vom Might‘ is a soft, drum machine propelled mellow pop record, full of intimate and honest lyrics conveyed through delicate melodies and an appropriately simple but never banal production. Fans of Frankie Cosmos will find in gobbinjr’s music the same youthful attitude and melancholic sincerity, which seems to communicate – on a subliminal level – the awareness that youth ends too soon and it’s too beautiful to be lived without dwelling in philospy, poetry and art. 

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

Bianca Muñiz is a NYC songwriter that has just released her new EP, “Scary Dreams” and a music video which artfully projects the eerie title track. In this video we observe Bianca in the midst of her nightmare, tossing and turning restlessly, while dreaming of running down a lonesome path consumed by darkness. Tense, at times dissonant jazzy and noise-rock elements, and unpredictable, nervous rhythms swallow the dulcet tone of Bianca’s voice, which bellows in the chorus and simmers down into a low, fearful croak at its end. If you enjoy the thrill, come down to Brooklyn’s Terra Firma on Friday, December 2nd and experience Bianca live. – Ashley Muniz 

LA’s Blond Ambition, the solo project of Brian Harding from Ex Cops, is taking us back to the warm summer sun with his new video for “Shasta”. Brian’s nonchalant vocals and funky psychedelic groove perfectly matches the clips of happy beach goers soaking in the sun, skaters trying out slick moves, and surfers getting ready to take on the waves, all with a neat vintage film aesthetic. Look out for Blond Ambition’s debut album in spring 2017. – Ashley Muniz

In these trying times, bare-bones chill-out music seems like the best cure. Enter Your Dog, a trio featuring Bronx-based rockers Ian, Kate, and Julius. The indie pop group describes themselves as "somewhere between Adam Levine’s old stuff & his new stuff." Your Dog releases their new EP Talking To Bob on November 28th with a show at Shea Stadium. The four-track record includes the excellent songs "Saurkraut" ("I can’t get through the day without feeling like sauerkraut") and the more melodic "Droool" ("I’ve been tryin’ to get you gone/But I’m just scrapin’ by/I don’t wanna die with you still in my head"); both feature a lot of character.

The Shea Stadium release party also features indie group Rhea and experimental group Rita Fishbone New Jersey, as well as Brooklyn’s Ghost King, whom we covered earlier re: the release of their new single "Melting Sky/Inside Out". Head on over to Shea Stadium on 11/28 to hear some great new tunes and to support rising local acts.

In Orange County, Trevor Magaña’s main squeeze has always been his mathrock affair Hollow Ran, but lately he’s been branching out, exploring directions from sensibile bedroom pop to jazzy slowcore through guitar and voice. If the name Puppy Soul doesn’t confer the spirit of Magaña’s project, then you probably haven’t browsed enough doge memes. With help from Jonathan Modell (The Human Machine, Panoramic, Tririla Recordings), Magaña was able to self-record the debut EP live with minimal overdubs (thank you smartphone Voice Memos) amidst a hazy ambiance of Maj9 chords and deliberately chilled rhythms.

Puppy Soul’s debut EP releases through Pacific Nature Records on November 16th, 2016, with an extremely limited run of 25 red foil cassettes in lavender-scented cases. You probably missed their supporting set for Avi Buffalo tonight, so watch Trevor and Jonathan throw their EP release party tomorrow at Beatnik Bandito along with Slice, love birds, and the equally prolific Arden Klawitter.

Amazing Nashville blues lady Adia Victoria just unveiled this video for single "Horrible Weather." The Nashville based singer kept her year busy with numerous live performances across the United States, Europe and the UK in support of the album release. Adia Victoria will host a special end of the year event and performance in Nashville on November 18th at The East Room.

Last month, Brooklyn’s Saint Marilyn released an enthralling synthy single called “Frustrate Me”. Its freely pitch bending synths seems to mimic the unavoidable flux and flow of emotions in a relationship: one second you can’t stand the sight of him, the next you can’t stand to see him go. The soft, seductive vocals of Che Houston layer over this dreamy synth bed to create a slow-moving atmosphere of love and hate. Experience the emotional ride live at The Mercury Lounge on November 15. -Ashley Muniz

With smooth vocals and punchy, danceable riffs punctuated by synths, DC-based RadaR offers infectious indie rock that’s guaranteed to grip you on the dancefloor. Featuring soaring hooks, catchy melodies, and an electro-britpop sensibility, the band’s music is instantly compelling, but their deeper lyricism offers even more for listeners to engage with beyond a first-blush pass through. Listen to RadaR streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni

Jaw Gems, a group of four guys hailing from the upper reaches of New England–Portland, Maine–are producing some of the most refreshing neo-soul music out there. Planting themselves in the same vein as artists like Thundercat and Flying Lotus, the group crafts fat and funky instrumentals that edge toward the experimental side. They band effortlessly laces their trippy hip hop beats with strong jazz influences, and maybe the occasional transmission from Mars. Catch the band opening for Lettuce at the House of Blues 12/31, and in the meantime, stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni

Brooklyn-based indie rockers, Flying Pace, are back at it again with a new single (and an impending EP on the horizon). "Mayday," a track that exemplifies the band’s brand of mellow indie, features whispery vocals set against understated instrumentals and smart lyricism. With a slight jazzy influence and an unothordox chord progression, the new tune is instantly engaging, and leaves us excited for the rest of the EP! Check out Flying Pace at their album release party 11/20 at Mercury Lounge with Robot Princess, and stream "Mayday" below.-Olivia Sisinni