Screw Spotify and Pandora’s automatic discovery algorhythms, that are supposed to find the next band you are bound to like – they never work for us, NEVER! Plus, you can’t even tell them you only want to listen to NYC artists – ugh… The only thing that works here at The Deli is to parse relentlessly through the listings of small local venues like Palisades, Shea Stadium, Cake Shop, Rockwood, The Living Room… at time also Baby’s All Right and the Mercury Lounge. In the latter’s listing we found a really interesting local band called Pollens. They are a quartet with an LP entitled "Brighten and Break" released back in 2012 and a sophomore album ("+=+=+=+=") out earlier this year. Single "Helping Hand’ (streaming) from their debut, is an avant-pop gem, featuring looped harminizing vocals, an arrangement growing in intensity, and a vocal melody that’s as cerebral as it is catchy – and vaguely reminiscent of all time NYC favorites Buke and Gase. The band has grown experimental with the years, and the sophomore record, more electronic, cerebral and textural, rarely gives in to pure melody, emphasizing instead angular drum patterns and quirky arrangements. See them live at The Mercury Lounge on 11.13.

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

In the late ’70s, Chandra, the daughter of eminent conceptual, NYC based artist Dennis Oppenheim, showed considerable promise as a songwriter and performer since the age of seven. This inspired New York noisemakers The Model Citizens to approach the young prodigy and become her backing band. An EP entitled "Transportation" was released in 1980, when Chandra was 12, by ON / GOGO Recordsthe, the band’s own label. It has since become a long-lost cult classic. Fast forward 35 years, and Cantor Records, together with Rain Boots, decided to reissue the four-song EP with the addition of four unreleased songs by The Chandra Dimension (her touring band comprised entirely of teenagers). Chandra will be performing live at Rough Trade on November 14, in an adult version of… herself.

Portland-based group, Paste, just released their first EP, “Amoral,” at the beginning of the month. The group describes itself as “ferocious” – probably an overstatement, considering their not overly aggressive sound sound, but they are indeed correct when they say that their "songs cover a wide variety of styles and moods.” All four tracks on their EP waver between rock, pop, and electro, seamlessly merging qualities of all three. “Carnivores,” the third song on their EP, exemplifies the group’s tendency towards glam rock with a creative use of effects and a melody that plunges in and out of distortion. On the other hand, “Spring” (streaming), uses bright harmonies and catchy rhythmic patterns inherent to pop. Their music’s variation in genre will, as promised, satisfy any musical mood. – Isabel Rolston

Brittany Campbell is the artist people dream to be. Not only did she produce her own (third) album "Heroes" and animate the video for the title track (streaming), she is also the co-host of a monthly event at Skate Brooklyn  called Tomboi (pictured) which showcases and empowers women artists. Her Jamaican-influenced pop-soul anthems mix in a touch of hip hop and punk ethos make for a compelling live performance; members of the crowd who don’t dance stand enthralled in the musicianship of her live band, and the unbridled charisma of the spunky frontwoman. Though Tomboi  implies the infiltration of traditionally male roles, the strength of Brittany and her sistren is a class of its own. – BrokeMC, photo by Meena Ziabari

The sloshy dreampop duo Corbin Clarke and Makan Negahban, aka Bür Gür have released a music video for their newest single "Neighbors", herald of the forthcoming religious lapse Have You Lost Your Faith in God?

Their debut LP Alligator Cheesecake, a panoply of chilled electronic lights and hip hop sighs, placed Clarke and Negahban in the headlights of DIY upstart label Noise Met Sound, whose roster includes the brilliant Lawrence Lindell, Gypsy Eyes, and Inner Ecstasy. Now with "Neighbors", Bür Gür takes a confident second step forward into the waves of psych-pop while keeping their composure slick.

The "Neighbors" music video wrestles with Phil Miller’s creepy stare, tossing salads in the bachelor pad, and the victim complex of Ryan Lars Bergmann (Mothers of Gut, Retox). Directed by HABITS mastermind Dustin Krapes, and featuring Le’lani Lan’caster (Retox, Washing Machines), "Neighbors" is as intrusive as a porno breaking the fourth wall, and probably three times as danceable.

Bür Gür’s sophomore album Have You Lost Your Faith in God? is slated for an early 2016 release via LA micro-label How To Be A Microwave. Catch Clarke and Negahban performing Tuesday, November 24th at the Silverlake Lounge with Milo, Kenny Segal, Signor Benedict, and Safari Al. – Ryan Mo

Like the 2014-released music video for its track "Channelling," the clip for New York rock duo Elysian Fields‘ "Alms for Your Love" (streaming below) is not just a compelling visual accompaniment to the song but a beguiling work of art in itself. Starting with the striking image of a shooting heart, the string-girded video shows EF singer Jennifer Charles following a quiet panther through a valley of sharp-tipped trees and finally seeing herself lying on the floor, chest gushing with what appears to be blood. Elusive yet moving, the Kevin Weir-directed video emerges as an allegorical, almost biblical tale of the search for love and its explosiveness once found. While Elysian Fields hasn’t perhaps been as known as other two-pieces such as The Kills or The White Stripes since its inception in 1995, the compellingly enigmatic group is slowly unveiling its netherworld beauty and will hopefully continue to do so in the near future. The band is not only readying the release of a new album but also its own music venue called The Owl (in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Prospect-Lefferts Gardens) where they will play several shows to celebrate the band’s twentieth anniversary. The first of these performances will happen on Thursday 10.29 at The Owl. A full list can be found at Elysian Fields’ website. – Zach Weg

NYC songwriter Katie Von Schleicher will be opening for Eleanor Friedberger (former lead singer of The Fiery Furnaces) at Pianos on November 09. Back in 2012, Katie released a beautiful eight track mini album entitled "Silent Days," featuring streaming single "When The Rain Comes." The record follows folk rock coordinates that suit Katie’s full bodied alto and passionately intimate lyrics.  Since that release, it looks like Katie only released two singles online, both slow, stripped out ballads: 2013’s "White Flag" and this year’s "My Body on Through," hopefully is a sign of a new record to come. You can also see her live tonight at Deli sponsored event The Hum at the Manhattan Inn.

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

NYC based (via LA) psychedelic songwriter Julian Cubillos is taking the paradox of lo-fi pop to new extremes. The guy has a knack for writing uplifting melodies and orchestrations that will intrigue any Beach Boys fan, only to bury them under a thick layer of terrible sounding recordings. We’ve always believed that lo-fi is an affordable, charming way to add character to a song, and that great songwriting will always shine through mediocre recordings. But some of Julian’s tracks sound so bad he’s actually challenging this notion, while probably also damaging the potential reach of his music. Anyway, this is obviously a very talented and eclectic songwriter, it will be interesting to check him out when he plays live at Palisades on November 5th. Here’s one of his better recorded tracks, entitled "I’m Ready to Depend on You."

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

Remember the 90s? Drive-in movie theaters, cassette tapes, and Al Gore have faded, but the music has persisted most. Richmond’s own Sideways Orange has cultivated their sound from such influences, with a bedrock of punk, alternative, and garage rock, dressed sensibly in postmodern lo-fi and indie. It’s the kind of soundtrack kids would use for skateboarding videos, but is mature and high-energy enough for the underground venue of your choice. Get yourself a copy of their latest album, We Are The Moon Dogs, and check them out when they play a Halloween show at OUR House on 10/31.

 

At the intersection of blues-rock, Americana, and folk, you’ll find Baltimore’s Red Sammy rambling along, thumb out for a ride. These guys have concocted an effective and relatable sound from life’s tumbles, love, loss, and pain, reaching deep into their roots and pulling out blue-collar gold. If your heart has an ache or need to wave your lighter in the air, look no further than Red Sammy and their spare yet poetic new album Creeps and Cheaters. -Jonathan Goodwin