Eschewing mediocrity for a full-on queer punk motif, PWR BTTM is a punk duo sodomizing the status quo. Energetic and positive, the message of their music is uplifting, which pairs well with the group’s DIY showmanship that grips its live showcases. Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce plan on shocking at SXSW 2106; while their dynamic may be a bit off the beaten path, they don’t seem to care about what other people think, and there is nothing more punk rock than that. After the Austin festival, the band will embark on a tour in support of Ra Ra Riot. Check out their break out single "1994." – Lee Ackerley

There’s a beauty and freedom in being a new band, mainly consisiting in being free of any preconceived notions or assumptions of their style based on previous works. This often translates into a sound that’s fresh sounding and unpretentious, and this is exactly what Brooklyn’s Brain Salt has done with their debut EP ‘Crowds.’ Opener “Wisdom of Crowds” and “New Orbit” play with synths and twinkling, textural piano compositions whereas “New Theme from Troll 2” has more of a theatrical nature to it and heavier guitar rhythms. See them live at The Shop in Brooklyn on March 17. – Adriana S Ballester

This past Friday, Brooklyn avant-pop project Eddi Front (aka Ivana Carrescia) released her long awaited, bewitching debut LP, ‘Marina.’ Starting with the piano-chimed opener “Goldie” (streaming below) and including “Sing Sing,” a by turns sedate and lilting track that portrays intense romance with Plath-like fire, the album shows Carrescia as an artist fearlessly venturing into the dark and coming out with sharp beauty. If you missed Eddi Front’s show this past Saturday downtown, keep posted on her Facebook page for future announcements, or check out this mysterious live video for a taste. – Zach Weg 

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

The New York-based trio Sons of an Illustrious Father – comprised of Lilah Larson, Ezra Miller and Josh Aubin – are making their SXSW debut this year on the heels of their new album "Revol," released on March 9 – check out their video for single "Post-Future" below, and if you are going to be in Austin next week, you can see them at Maggie Mae’s on 03.16 and at Cheer Up Charlie’s on 03.19 – more info here.

They say that when you meet someone for the first time you decide if you like them in the first few seconds of interaction. That can often be applied to music, and Coaches is one of those bands that hooked us in no time – (aural) love at first sight? With high strung guitars, a subtle use of dissonance, and razor sharp melodies, this band knows how to utilize sonic space, mixing high octane energy sections and then easing into lulling breaks, allowing the tension to build and then blowing it all up with intense guitar riffs. Heck, they remind us a little of the Pixies, but different (this should be taken as a huge compliment). For a show that will get you moving from the get go stop by Palisades on March 15 and get a glimpse of these guys in action. – Adriana S Ballester

You’ve heard a lot about them from me, but Wylder is just too good to not write about. That said, here’s a little treat to get you through the week: their new music video for Swells. A lighthearted, hopeful track, the music video is equally playful and invokes classic tropes of awkward male friendship and mismatched romantic pairings. Give it a watch because Friday’s almost here and this dash of good vibes is just what the doctor ordered. -Jonathan Goodwin

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