If asked to name a band that could be representational of what’s popular in indie music today, Amherst’s Calico Blue could serve as an unlikely, if not interesting answer. They have a dreamy, nostalgic sound based on pristine guitars, minimalist tendencies á la The XX, and deeply sad vocals reminscent of a lo-fi version of Lana Del Rey. Their self-described "surfer blues" is able to capture vintage elements and conteporary influences and coalesce them into something new and intriguing. Their 2015 self-titled album drags the listener down with heavy lyrics while also keeping them afloat with light guitar work. You can check them out at O’Brien’s Pub on 7/1. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Brooklyn-based bands Dead Painters and Plates of Cake (pictured) are taking the stage together in July in support of Transcendental Telecom. Dead Painters’ sophomore LP Aluminum Gold was released in the fall of 2015, and it is a relatively placid record that glides between tuneful instrumental interludes and mellow vocal deliveries. The track “In the Chrome” highlights the band’s serene nature with the use of a steady drum beat and peaceful guitars until the tension is raised towards the end with a sudden burst of crashing drums and fuzzed out guitars. Plates of Cake’s sound is somewhat similar, but ventures into more psychedelic and even orchestral territories. “She Wants to Disappear” (streaming below) off their latest LP Becoming Double, is characterized by its sparkling guitars and dreamy vocals. The band’s warm guitar tones are reminiscent of 70’s power pop acts like the Raspberries, while their breezy harmonies, specifically on the track “Boyfriends”, make their music incredibly pleasing. Check out both of these bands at the Cake Shop on July 6th, and stream “Semi-Criminal” from Dead Painters and “She Wants To Disappear” from Plates of Cake below! – John Honan

Paperhaus’ “Silent Speaking” (streaming below) beckons you in unabashedly with chaotic rumblings resembling a stampede of cymbals, hi-hats, batucada-esque drumming, and jittery bursts of guitars. The arrhythmic clamor works at once both with and against one another before evening out and transforming into a high energy tune of angular riffs and melodic shifts. The Virginia based band, whose previous work gives a hearty nod towards psychedelic blues with hints of math rock, finds itself leaning ever further into the angular soundscapes of the latter with its most recent single. However, the fervent energy that made their self-titled debut so dynamically spectacular remains ever more present in their sound. If this single is any indication of what we should expect from Paperhaus in the future then color me intrigued. Definitely keeping an eye out for them! Catch Paperhaus on July 13 at DC Nine. – Adriana S. Ballester

Many people may be familiar with Charlene Kaye without knowing it – she’s the energetic frontwoman of orchestral NYC band San Fermin.  However, she is also an accomplished songwriter who has been releasing solo records since 2012.  After the successful experience with San Fermin, the soulful singer has been refocusing on her own material and is about to release a new EP entitled “Honey,” under the new, simpler moniker Kaye. A development of the electro pop leanings of Charlene Kaye’s earlier work, Kaye’s full vocal and musical range is on display in the title track “Honey,” an empowering indie pop anthem, complete with a saturated sonic production featuring several edgy and distorted elements, bouncing between pop and rock. The “Honey” EP will be released on August 19th, and you can catch Kaye live at her EP Release show at Mercury Lounge on August 18th.  

Alongside a new lead single, Psychic Twin unveiled a September 9th drop date for their debut LP Strange Diary, that’s been four years in the making. If the track, entitled "Lose Myself" is any indication, it might have been worth the wait. Erin Fein, vocalist and main force behind the project, immerses her feathery voice in grimy synths and drum machine grooves to create a contrasting synth-pop sound that feels fresh while still delivering a nice dose of nostalgia. Psychic Twin recently kicked off a North American tour with Ladyhawke, whose NYC leg will be at Rough Trade on 6.24. –Henry Solotaroff-Webber – Photo Credit: Sean Waltrous

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

Since 2011 the seven piece Brooklyn/Manhattan based band The Amputees has been blending together punk and hard rock revival in rather uncompropmising ways. In February they released The Hitchhikers Guide to The Amputees, a four track EP that rarely lets up. “Al Hammer” (streaming below) kicks things off with a fierce punk energy and roaring guitars, while Louis Ramos’ anthemic vocals excercise the demonic art of sounding evil. Third track “Ego” features stomping beat and fiery vocals with a more melodic approach, in particular during the chorus. The band will be playing The Gateway on July 2nd in support of Earworms. – John Honan

Pinegrove, who recently moved from Brooklyn to Montclair, NJ, is one of those rare bands that make things happen by perseverance and self development, which – in today’s music industry – requires monstrous levels of discipline and faith. The group has been releasing a bunch of records since their 2010 ‘Mixtape One‘ debut. Their latest, entitled ‘Cardinal,’ is one of their best. The eight track mini-album blends element of American traditional music and indie rock (think Modest Mouse at their peak, but with more nostalgic and rootsy tendencies). Although electric guitars are still dominant, banjo and pedal steel sneakily insert themselves in some of the tracks (like streaming single ‘Old Friends’), adding texture and evoking the rustic warmth of Americana. The band is about to experience a summer on the road, with over thirty dates booked touring with Sports (Ohio), Half Waif (NYC) and Ratboys (Chicago). Their kick off party was canceled because of Palisades’ (hopefully temporary) closing, but the band decided to do something anyway at 73 See Gallery in Montclair – here’s the Facebook Event page. They’ll be back at Market Hotel on August 6.

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

As evidenced by their collaboration with The Songwriter’s Orchestra to re-arrange their single "Jagged Edge," nu-soul duo Jazze Belle have already made some noise (and interesting connections!) in the NYC scene. Their sound can be described as mellow, darkly introspective soul. Producer Jett Carter employs simple percussions alongside minimal synth parts to create a wide, moon-lit soundscape for vocalist Taylor Simone to wander through. Her soulful, confident voice touches on themes pertaining to love, but mostly from the side of how self-doubt or other complexities of life can get in the way. Special mention is also due to Carter clevelry repurposing and altering Simone’s voice to build vocal harmonies, creating transfixing moments that emphasize certain lyrics. With two singles and a slew of covers comprising their live shows to date, it will be interesting to see how these two evolve in future projects. You can see them live at the Harmlem Arts Festival on 6/25. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

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At the risk of assessing a small sample size consisting of one single, it’s clear that synth/indie pop duo Kid Coyote have a lot of potential. Their lone track, "Full Moon Rising," is reminiscent of Phantogram’s chiller, Big Boi-less offerings. Clara Berry’s smooth and spacey vocals hang over Joe O’Neil hybrid electro-acoustic production, giving their music a feeling both eery and smooth. With just this tune to their name, it will be exciting to see what else Kid Coyote will bring to the table when they perform at the Plough and Stars on 6/22. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

Pink Mexico is the solo project of Robert Preston who has played drums for countless acts including Shilpa Ray. In the fall of 2014, Preston moved back to Brooklyn from Los Angeles to begin recording Pink Mexico’s second record, which he wrote primarily while still living in LA. In May, single “Buzz Kill” saw the light of the day. It’s a fuzz-laden track overflowing with self-deprecating humor and Preston’s deadpan vocal delivery. “Forgetting Everything” (streaming below) is a poppier song that looks back at the surf pop sound of the 60’s., with upbeat, vintage sounding vocal arrangements. Pink Mexico will release their sophomore album Fool on June 24th via Burger Records. The band will be celebrating the release at Shea Stadium on June 25th. – John Honan

Just a month ago Milo in the Doldrums, hailing from the sandy beaches of Northern Virginia, released their self-titled debut EP. The EP is tinged with a touch of melancholy but charged with an electrifying sense of life, a heart vibrantly pounding with every drum beat and a rush of blood coursing through the guttural strums of the guitars. May’s vocals, at times razor sharp and smooth and then quivering, glide elegantly over the weighted guitars, which break out in bouts of heavy and melodious riffs, often building up to a climax before stripping back down to merely vocals and then beginning the whole process again. Milo in the Doldrums will be playing DC’s Velvet Lounge on June 29 but you can listen to their EP streaming below.

Genuine Americana bands are few and far between in NYC’s indie scene, and The National Reserve may be among the most authentic of them all. Their 2015 EP Easy Does It should hit all the right spots for anyone yearning for Western (and Southern) sounds. Twangy guitars, blusey overtones and shuffling drums are arranged into compelling songs that merge blues-rock, folk and country.  Lead-singer/guitarist Sean Walsh also has the perfect ammount of scruffiness to his voice that adds the necessary character to the stories he tells. The National Reserve played at The Rough Trade NYC on June 8, ad tonight will perform at City Windery within a tribute to the music of Merle Haggard.. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

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