Having previously admired Robert Toher’s work in the dark synth-percussive band ERAAS, we kind of knew what to expect from his new project Public Memory, whose album “Wuthering Drum” will be released March 18 on Felte Records with significant tour dates surrounding its arrival.  Recently released single “Zig Zag” presents an ominous buzzing undercurrent with fluidly pulsing percussion that, although mechanical and electronic, gives off the sense of some kind of cosmic tribal ritual. Vocals further enhance this mysterious sensibility, with alien processing and frequent tandem synth lines. Its overall feel is hypnotic, possibly cabalistic, leading to an ultimate unsettling vibe, a perfect soundtrack to a film sequence where the protagonist puts on a fright mask, douses his victim with psilocybin and proceeds to blow their mind.  Initial lead single, "Lunar," and the follow-up, "Ringleader" (streaming) can also be streamed prior to the full-length release.  Public Memory will debut their live show this Saturday 3/12 at Alphaville, with the like-minded Tempers, and play.  Immediately following they head down to Austin for SXSW on Tuesday, March 15 at Barracuda. – Dave Cromwell

Images of California and West Coast chill factors readily come to mind when listening of surf rock infused music. Philly/NYC based band Palmas brings that West Coast warmth and sunshine to the East Coast with their retro croon-pop. With hazy guitars and distant, reverb-drenched vocals Palmas’ sound readily evokes sepia-tinted memories of swaying waves at the beach. Since Brighton Beach’s waters are still too cold to enjoy, come and welcome spring’s much awaited warm weather with Palmas at Berlin on 3.24 as they accompany dream pop Brooklyn band Surf Rock is Dead. – Adriana S Ballester

It’s hard to come by a great, purely rock band. In a scene that is drowning in pop-anything-and-everything The Skins step in to offer a reprieve. The Brooklyn based band, consisting of the Mckeithan siblings and two friends, infuse rock with a pinch of funk and a lot of soul. Through Bayli Mckeithan’s vocals and the alternating guitar warbles of Spencer and Chell the band creates a textured sound with warmth and depth that infiltrates unapologetically the space it surfaces at. Don’t miss them performing at Union Pool on March 25! – Adriana S Ballester

Check out the SXSW 2016 issue of The Deli Mag, now available online, and distributed in print next week in Austin during SXSW’s Music Week. You’ll find copies of it also at our SXSW Stompbox Exhibit and Synth Space!

Yes, we’ve done things a little differently this time: we shaped this rag the size of a 7" record, and created a "concept" issue almost entirely dedicated to Psychedelia, with a feature by our editor Brian Chidester about how this musical genre has become more and more influential in the new millennium. The two cover artists, Yonatan Gat and Lewis Del Mar, serve as the two extremes within which Psychedelia has expanded in recent years.

As usual, the issue also gathers:

– A lot of emerging artists (mostly psych this time),
– The winners of The Deli’s regional Year End Polls for Emerging Artists,
– The winners of The Deli’s Best of 2015 Readers’ Polls,
– A section dedicated to the SXSW Stompbox Exhibit and Synth Space

We hope you enjoy the read and get to know some awesome new music.

The Folks at The Deli

East Bay by way of Australia dream pop aficionado, Hazel English has released a number of singles with the production of electro dream pop artist Day Wave. The musicians met at English’s day job and the collaboration started after she played Wave her sensuous, home recorded pop tracks, including a rough version of debut single, "Never Going Home" (streaming). Since the release of that hazy track the duo released a series of well produced, simple dream pop gems that are a promising foreshadow to her (not yet announced) debut LP. Don’t miss her show at the Independent on March 23rd. – Jordannah Elizabeth

Ambient dreampop purveyors The Stargazer Lilies have perfected creating spacious, dreamy sonic landscapes. “The stars are in our heads/The flowers in our hearts” are the openinig ltrics of their lone album: "We Are the Dreamers" (2013). More enhanced recordings, with more effects-heavy guitars and mandarin vocals, are expected from their forthcoming sophomore LP, due in the spring. If you are going to SXSW don’t miss their show at the Double Wide on March 15th. –Dave Cromwell

Hard core NYC-scene party people should be familiar with Japanther, a duo whose performances have brought to life many Brooklyn living rooms and lofts during the DIY explosion of the last decade. The group’s drummer Ian Vanek just released his sophomore album for his solo project Howardian, entitled ‘A Smurf At Land’s End,’ a multifaceted record that sounds a lot more intimate than Ian’s work with his old band. The imaginative songwriting and DIY production are still there, but the garage and surf influences have subsided, in favor of slower tempos conducive to more thoughtful atmospheres. Unpretentiously blending folk, art rock, and bedroom pop, Howardian’s record sounds like a love letter to two of the DIY movement’s true pioneers: Syd Barrett and early Ween. Check out opening track ‘Over The Laptop’ (streaming below).

Singer-songwriter Melanie Edwards‘s release of this new single, ‘What Happened,’ is an introduction to her ninth studio album and asks the painful questions following regretful breakups. It’s a walkthrough of the dark, inevitable backtracking of the all-too-familiar, guided by Melanie’s tearful and honest vocals and somber melody. This single is not only a reminder of her experience, but an ode to a broken heart. -Justin Bieggar

For their upcoming EP "GREYSHARKCANYON" (out on March 14th), folk-pop duo Laura and Greg gave in to the "Bob Dylan’s 1965 temptation," trading their beloved, clean acoustic guitars for a more electric and distorted sound. While maintaining their airtight harmonies and solid structure, preview single ‘Alien’ (premiering below) picks up the pace with harder drumming and fuzzy guitars, retaining the band’s signature sense of intimacy, but infusing it with a little urgency and a lot more energy. Take a listen below and catch them live tonight (03/08) at The Silent Barn with Cende, Peaer, and Retail Space. – Adriana S Ballester

 Just in, from Hunduras, this hilariously decadent new video for single Hollywood, launched in combination with their new EP ‘Gathering Rust.’ Yesterday the band embarked on a two week tour that will take them, among other places, to Austin’s SXSW festival.

Your next chance to see Temp Tats will be this Saturday at Davey’s Uptown. They’ll be playing with a host of other KC groups in support of Bernie Sanders. The BERNing Man KC rally starts at 4 pm, with $10 suggested donation going toward Sanders’ campaign fund. Facebook event page.