Making a living out of music or art is a tall order, in particular in a pricey place like NYC, but having a multi-faceted talent, like actors do, can certainly come in handy. The Portal – a Rock Odyssey, is an artful mishmash of theatrical performance, concert, and movie, an immersive, live band backed rock opera about the search for love and inner desire for transformation. Many local musicians are involved in this production, including lead actor Billy Lewis Jr. (Fox’s “Glee,” The Who’s Tommy, Spring Awakening, Hedwig & the Angry Inch), who is also a singer songwriter. Here’s a sneak peak (or sneak listen, if you will) into The Portal’s soundtrack: "Space Child", a track influenced by droney Eastern music and originally composed by Guatemalean group Kan’Nal, features entrancing vocals by the lead actor and an atmosphere that builds in intensity over time. Experience The Portal Wednesday through Saturday at The Minetta Lane Theatre. – Ashley Muniz

Integrating musical genres that have little in common is always a fun experiment, and NYC’s male/femal duo Exmazed, with their blend of industrial rock and dream pop, seem to be up to something. Their only single currently available for streaming combines clangy, mechanical and anguishing arrangements with sampled shrieks of distorted guitar feedback and ethereal female vocals. The latter add an enjoyable melodic element to the bleak musical background, but very little solace, conjuring up an atmosphere that’s as sci-fi as it is nightmarish – something that would work perfectly as a soundtrack for a movie like Blade Runner, or – say – NYC post-November 8, 2016. Exmazed will be performing at Alphaville on December 1st, opening for Au Revoir Simone’s Annie Hart. The nightmarish future has arrived, we may as well embrace it and celebrate it! On the bill also another female fronted, local electronic band called Noia, they are worth checking out.

Belle-Skinner hails from Upstate New York, which is where she cut her newest record, We Shut Our Eyes. But she now calls New York City home, and it’s here where she plays her original music several times a month at venues all around Manhattan and Brooklyn. The rising artist’s sound blends mid-century acoustic pop with breathy vocals smacking of St. Vincent. Hear the influence of Sufjan Stevens, Kate Bush, and Joanna Newsom in songs like “And Then You Leave (Go On)” and “Siren Song”. Upcoming live shows include November 29^th at the East Village’s Sidewalk Café, where Belle-Skinner will perform with Kelly Quigley, Pandafan, Georgia June, and Emily & Friends. The show begins at 7:00 pm. If you can’t make it, check Belle-Skinner’s website for future tour dates. Do make it a point to attend at least one of them. – Will Sisskind

With the recent release of their debut LP “Worst Way,” Brooklyn’s Rosebug showcase lead single “I Am The One” after a series of local shows.  Opening with the melody line figure presented in singular guitar notes, an ethereal vocal chorus emerges from reverberated halls.  “I am the one with all the answers,” sings frontwoman Becca Chodorkoff amid the slow burning groove and background vocal waves.  While accompanying guitar, bass and drums establish understated yet essential propulsion, chiming overtones emerge alongside the morphing voices.  Lyrics express one’s need to push forward with self-confidence, while keeping internal doubts that we may not be all that special at bay.  The overall mood feels similar to early 90’s pioneers Cocteau Twins, Sarah McLachlan as well as contemporary artists like Shana Falana.  The album can now be heard and acquired on Spotify, iTunes or Portland based cassette revival label Dazzleships Records. – Dave Cromwell

The gift of unpredictability, within good songwriting chops, is what makes an artist stand out from the pack: Sid Barret had it, Mac DeMarco has it, and legendary (in a very clut way) NYC band Fly Ashtray have it too. Belonging to the thinning out club of "permanent New York things", the group formed in the early ’80s and has released NINE albums since then, to zero critical acclaim and without taking the scene by storm, playing all along a genre of lo-fi rock very similar to what a gazillion Brooklyn bands play today. Check them out below and live at Cake Shop tonight! (11.18). They deserve(d) better!

We live in an era full of paradoxes, and the one we stumbled upon today is that in the most hectic city in the US (NYC) an awful lot of music made by caucasian artists is – one way or another – flirting with the concept of slacking. For those in the mood, tomorrow (11.19) four local bands will bring their own version of slack rock to the Shea Stadium’s stage. Peaer (pictured) is a rotating lineup of musicians led by Peter Katz (formerly of Fugue, Poverty Hollow, Suns); their recent self titled album slacks in very interesting and original ways, mostly through a selection of mid to down tempos, introducing elements foreign to the genre like post rock and math rock. Pupppy (Deli NYC Record of the Month in the summer of 2015) has a folkier and more lyrical approach, while openers Bethlehem Steel and Cadet Kelly both dwell in fast paced dreaminess.

Hailing from Moldova and now living in NYC, electronic musician/producer Serge Bulat (previously NYC Artist of the Month in this very blog) took home the 2016 award for the Best Dance/Electronica Album of the Year at the 15th edition of Independent Music Awards in NYC. The award is for Serge’s debut album called “Queuelbum” which was released in May this year with a fusion of electronica, neo-classical, trip-hop and alternative elements. Check out our favorite track ‘Walker,’ vaguely reminiscent of that essential post-rock record that is TNT by Tortoise. 

“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