We mentioned Fieldings a few days ago in this blog, and we’ve been intrigued by their music since then. This is the project of a NYC based songwriter who recently moved from Sydney, Australia to Brooklyn, whose first name appears to be Lu. Her 2014 three song EP ‘Wild Release Vol I‘ brings back to mind the emotional expressionism and experimental droney inclinations of Lisa Germano’s early albums, although the tone here is more subdued and the production sparser. In it, Lu’s voice shines for confidence and tone, together with her songwriting and production skills. Follow up EP ‘Wild Release Vol II,’ released a few months later, picks up where the debut left off, with acoustic guitars blending gracefully with electronic elements, samples, and percussion sounds that are alternatively acoustic and electronic. We are curious to hear what an edgy scene like NYC will do to this already original artist, in particular now that Lu appears to have band mates. Check out our favorite single ‘Idioglossia,’ strteaming below.

Koncept shook up our senses in 2015 with “The Fuel” EP (co-produced by J57), aand by storming SXSW in March this year. Now we can see him bring his fire to the intimate and historic Arlene’s Grocery. As he raps in his newest single, “Crazy is Beautiful,” — “Never look back at the past me, that would bring me down so badly.” The EP is a testament to living in the present. If you’re feeling like you’re running on empty, come out and fuel up. Doors at 6pm. He plays at 8pm. Don’t be late!

In a world where the lines between genres keep blurring it’s no surprise when bands or artists create works the defy fitting into any one of them. What is refreshing, though, is when they do it well. Enter Nothing, Nowhere. With self deprecatingly analytical lyrics glazed over with a layer of anger, dreamy reverb guitars, rapping, and samplings from movies and readings Nothing, Nowhere. builds tracks that take cues from emo, indie dream pop, and hip hop. Thus forging an LP (streaming below) that explores love, frustration, religion and loss of faith with an unique style. Keep an eye out on their facebook page for any future concerts.

Residencies are a great way for venues to launch a clear message to music press and fans, the message being: "we dig this band and they have a great live show!" We’ve got to trust Rockwood then about Brooklyn’s The YeahTones, since they offered them a three date quarterly residency starting in February and ending on April 28th. From what we can tell from their only recorded track, entitled ‘What Could I Do’ and streaming below, the group masters the blues rock genre to a t, managing to instill in this old music a healthy dose of freshness, power and character, without ever losing its signature viscerality. Looking forward to hearing more.

Those familiar with the funk-pop of ’80s British band Simply Red may find a welcome reference in the celan, staccato funk guitar permeating ‘QLC,’ by Brooklyn quartet Ludwig (streaming below). The group doesn’t quite play the mainstream card the way Simply Red did, but in their debut album ‘To Be Continued‘ they do offer well crafted songs through a formula that has the potential to intrigue many. You can see them live at the Knitting Factory on April 18th.

After rewarding singer songwriter Cindy Lou Gooden’s lo-fi project Very Fresh with our Record of the Month back in 2010, we kinda lost touch with them. We are glad to see them they are still at it, with a bunch of releases under their belt. Now a quartet, the group put out a two song single in November 2015 featuring Cindy Lou’s signature quirky lyrics and ’90s influenced melodies. Check them out live at Palisades on April 21st and check out single ‘Clean Touch’ below.

Few people in our life are as controversial as our own parents. Often judged hastily by us as soon as we are old enough to have an opinion, they have time on their side to prove us that – at least – there was more to them (a lot more) than what we originally thought. The end of their time is always a non-welcome opportunity to try and make sense of conflicts, memories and mistakes that shaped our life in often overwhelming ways. These issues are tackled in the new single ‘Dad’ by Brooklyn electric folk quintet Bird of Youth. The song was written after the passing of frontwoman Beth Wawerna’s father. Their five-years-in-the making sophomore album, entitled ‘Get Off,’ will be released on May 17th with a party at Union Pool. The band has also announced a tour in support of Nada Surf. 

Rock and Folk mingle on stage tonight at O’brien’s Pub with Boston bands All Talk and Babydriver. All Talk, whose new album upstairs/downstairs is set to come out in May, sits at the bluesier folk end of the spectrum with a few songs here and there clearly influenced by heavier guitar rock. Their gem “Locomotive” (streaming below) off their album Juno is one of those songs. It’s a slow burner, searing longing and heartbreak carefully into our minds with every deliberate strum of the guitar, with every wistful stray chord. The song builds up until the end when the guitar erupts into a reverbed solo before fading off. Babydriver on the other hand is more upbeat, with songs shifting from heavier rock to frazzled pop pieces. “I Don’t Want To Be Your Dad” (streaming below) kicks off with franticly melodious guitars and rhythmic shakers in the background. Palmer’s vocals float effortlessly over the track, lending an air of nonchalance to it. It’s a song that would have fit in perfectly in any indie film soundtrack. Catch them tonight at O’Brien’s Pub alongside Painted Zeros and Izzy True. –Adriana S Ballester

A warm folk-rock track that vividly details a rugged life, “Miracle” (streaming below) by Queens quintet Hollis Brown is intriguingly enigmatic. Portraying the intense struggles of a down-on-her-luck heroine, the guitar-curled song off the band’s forthcoming release ‘Cluster of Pearls’ impressively purveys both the forlorn literariness of Dylan’s “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” and the hopeful, country jive of such Gene Clark tracks as “No Other” while emitting its own rough splendor. ‘Cluster of Pearls’ will be released on Record Store Day (4/16) and Hollis Brown has an upcoming residency at downtown Manhattan venue Berlin in May, playing there every Wednesday. Full details can be found at the band’s Facebook page. – Zach Weg 

The brainchild of The Deli NYC’s art collaborator Michael Zadick, The Unders declare their intent in the first seconds of their debut LP‘s opening song, with a male voice proclaiming: "I just wanna rock!" The band’s surely meets that goal with their inventive garage-surf, while also oozing fun thanks to simple but never banal vocal hooks. The breakneck speed of most of their tracks make them an ideal group to witness live, in particular for those who enjoy mosh pits and hearing loss. The next party is at The Gateway on April 20th with Total Slacker.

Listening to 100% Electronica, George Clanton’s (aka Mirror Kisses) new release, is like walking in a hazy limbo somewhere between sleep and awake. Not quite a dream not quite reality. Lingering between the spacey drones and shimmering synths, Clanton’s 80’s styled crooning explores love, heartbreak, deception and frustration. You may call it chillwave or vaporwave, but the ’80s new wave’s imprint is still all over it, although it doesn’t stop there: Clanton keeps us teetering, never letting us settle into just one spot. He keeps us constantly moving. Immersing himself wholly into his performances, often abandoning his DJ set and rolling around on the floor, his live performances are always entertaining. You can catch him at Alphaville on April 22. – Adriana S Ballester