My first CMJ day started at Arlene’s Grocery with Wet Leather, an NYC based band. The quintet filled the venue with their soulful and memorable alt pop. You can hear an 80’s influence (dominating synth & funky basslines) in their music, but it isn’t gimmicky. Performing alongside, “Yours and Mine,” a track of theirs with anthem potential, Wet Leather also premiered their new track, “Shame,” which had just been premiered on Consequence of Sound. Continuing my night at Cake Shop, Caged Animals were a highlight. The group makes dreamy alt pop so momentous, I forgot I was in the Lower East Side of Manhattan; with introspective lyrics, Vincent Cacchione’s voice, often harmonizing with Magali Francoise, soared over the tightly organized instrumentation. Ending the set with their song, “Teflon Heart,” the track’s catchy melody and vocal hook followed me the rest of the night. To finish the night, I headed back around the corner to Arlene’s Grocery to see local Hip Hop duo (via Philly and Iraq!) Weekend Money perform (pictured). Lead singer Ne$$ was bold in every way, shouting into the crowd, “This ain’t spoken word, wake the fuck up!” Accompanied by Baghdaddy, the two made the audience bounce, but it was Ne$$’s lyrics that were most affecting. Performing their track “Yellow,” he exclaimed to the NYC audience, “Piggy piggy piggies, all I see/Roll around in NYC/And I just try to stay out their way/ We get money in Manhattan take it back to BK.”

Oh Taylor Dexter!

Beloved drummer of Hunter Hunted and the Body Parts. He who watched Daniel Garner and Ryder Bach raise roofs from afar. An apostle of the kit, born-again singer and frontman who spread the word of Pop and the future spirit of Soul into our hearts. Though our daily grind leaves us broken and defeated, the collective voice of Air Life lifts us up with such energy and funk, and carries us on.

Blessed are we Angelenos to have witnessed Air Life’s residency at the Satellite, the collab performance with HOLYCHILD, and the back-to-back showcases at Echo Park Rising. Blessed are the stalwart sextet backing Dex, musicians of immeasurable talent — bassist Brad Babinski and drummer Brijesh Pandra, Derek Howa of keys and Mark Einhorn of the brass, the dextrous Wesley Singerman on guitar, and singer Cassandra Violet who loops and spits like it’s nobody’s business.

Woe to the music purveyors who forsake Air Life’s next show, happening tomorrow at The Satellite with Steady Holiday and an undisclosed special guest to open the night. Forgive them, for they know not what they are missing out on (new music, an awesome live performance, $6 entrance with RSVP). – Ryan Mo

The dimly-lit Arlene’s Grocery may have been rather empty yesterday afternoon (tough to fill up a NYC venue on an early Tuesday pm!) but it held several intriguing, strangely beautiful acts, booked by NYC promoters Siren Sounds. First up was the Brooklyn six-piece Captain Baby whose heavy guitars and warbled vocals conjured a darkly electric atmosphere, like something out of Gotham City. The Asher Rogers-led band also displayed a warmer side, though, their drum-pulsed last track (presumably from their debut album ‘Sugar Ox’) being catchy and even sexy. Next to take the disco ball-fronted stage were fellow Brooklyners Rosy Street. Down to frontman Kyle Avallone’s skinny black jeans and deep vocal rasp, the rock quartet was something out of filmmaker Jim Jarmusch’s universe, its ominous yet serene tracks of thin guitars and tumbling drums creating a spectral warmth. Afterwards came Henry Hall, a beguiling singer-songwriter whose hometown on his Facebook page amusingly states: "JFK//LAX." Along with his bassist Robby Caplan and drummer (apparently Nate Mondschein), Hall broke into the guitar-fuzzed songs (off his eponymous EP released earlier this year) that intriguingly sunk mellow R&B in hard rock, his virtuosic voice at times recalling Jack Black and at others Destiny’s Child and always commanding the room. Philadelphia-based rock trio Ron Gallo closed the afternoon with classic rock force, its thunderous guitar cuts (off a forthcoming album) fondly recalling Led Zeppelin and Cream while proving, as many of the songs from the previous groups did, that thrilling, committed music can occur at all hours of the day. – Zach Weg

If you saw the cover of Jaime Woods‘ new EP, "Troy," and thought it was an effort in nu-feminist rock, ala Tracy Chapman or Sinead O’Connor, you’d only be half wrong. Musically, she’s retro-soul with a modern twist; vocal inflections recall Amy Winehouse, though the restrained singer-songwriter vibe of cuts like “How Love’s Made” keep things resolutely personal and poetic. Her more recent single "Powers" (streaming below) has been resonating with thousands, online. Don’t miss he performance, tonight at Rockwood Music Hall within The Deli’s CMJ 2015 Showcases. – Brian Chidester

We can’t believe we haven’t blogged about Grassfight in three years – yes because we really dug their 2011 debut EP "Icon EP" and 2012 follow up "Icon EP2" – two of the best NYC Post-Punk releases of the decade (so far). After that quick 1-2 punch, it has taken the band three years to produce their third work "Please Don’t Tell," also an EP, which again features their claustrophobic, tense, electric sound, led by Nathan Forster commanding and tortured tenor. The record features a better production, but doesn’t compromise in the bleakness department. Check out the title track, streaming below.

Altopalo is a group of very young and skilled New York musicians who have a knack for mixing soul music and edgy psychedelic rock bordering on experimental music. The band – our artist of the month at some point last year – just released their debut album ‘noneofuscared,’ and it’s one of the most daring NYC records we’ve heard this year. In all likelyhood, traditional soul music fans won’t love it, but those who appreciate the experimental attitude that’s at the core of the NYC scene will find a lot to like. Check out single "hahsnheads," streaming below, and see Altopalo live at Cameo on October 18 – the guys are TIGHT! – Photo by Colin Marchon.

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

Brooklyn singer/songwriter Carrie Ashley Hill just released the celestial lead single "Old Winds" and accompanying music video (playing below) off her forthcoming debut full-length ‘Orion, Low in the Sky.’ Humbly involving, the guitar-plained song sees a wandering heroine out there under the sky, reflecting on and seemingly admiring her easy-going approach to the world. As especially seen in its inventive, shape-shifting visuals (which were directed by award-winning, Texas-based, late-teen filmmakers, The Lenz Twinz), the track is the musical equivalent of a breath: vanishing yet blissful. Hill is set to release ‘Orion, Low in the Sky’ in November, and will perform on the 15th of that month at Rockwood Music Hall as part of Stories You Can’t Tell on the Radio Songs Only a Woman Can Sing: An Evening of Music and Storytelling. – Zach Weg   

CARRIE ASHLEY HILL – OLD WINDS – (Official Video) from Lenz Twinz on Vimeo.

Heads up: Samira Winter premieres a new single mere days before her band’s North American Tour, titled "All The Things You Do". Like celebrated debut album Supreme Blue Dream, "All The Things You Do" verges on the boundaries of shoegaze, dreampop, and neo-psych, with languid beats pouring over melodies temperate and fibrous. It’s a great send-off to summer as autumn falls upon us, and a wonderful tour-parting gift courtesy of Winter (and Burger Records).

Winter leaves on the 18th with indie pop Georgian transplant Allison Weiss, plus NYC’s Mal Blum and Kid in the Attic — first show’s at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall (SF). Los Angeles will be lonelier (and muggier) without the grace of Samira & Co., but fear not: the quartet returns to perform 11/24 at The Echo! Until then, get lovesick with "All The Things You Do" on repeat. – Ryan Mo

Few things are more effective in grabbing our attention than really good press pictures, and Israeli electronic chanteuse Tesha – who recently moved to NYC – sure knows a thing or two about that. But looks are irrelevant if not supported by good music, and, in this case, support was found. Tesha plays a stylishly cinematic, vaguely jazzy form of synth pop, reminiscent of some of the less trippy trip hop bands like Lamb and Morcheeba, but entirely her own. Her voice is confident and full of character, and her comfort zone is in the downtempo side of things, which opens space for the creative electronic arrangements. On her Bandcamp profile you’ll find an instrumental single and a three song EP, entitled "Crystallization," both released in 2014. We paricularly enjoyed opening track "Over the Edge" (streaming). We have three opportunities to catch her live this week within the CMJ music marathon.

Guitarist LG and his band Dead Leaf Echo have been gazing at their inspiring, colorful shoes (and stompboxes) for quite some time now, forging otherwordly sounding songs, while working with producer John Fryer (Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode) and opening for the likes of Psychedelic Furs, A Place To Bury Strangers and legendary British ’90s shoegazers Chapterhouse. The band just released a new track entitled "sunlessoul" (streaming) and has three shows scheduled during the CMJ Music Marathon. We recently ask them a few question about how they generate their sound in this interview on Delicious Audio.

Simi Valley doomgazers SHEER return from the studio depths to announce the release of their debut LP Uneasy, and we couldn’t be happier for them. The 11-song album has garnered comparisons to Galaxie 500 and The Smashing Pumpkins, of which we could say are somewhat accurate. The hooks are fuzzy, the feels are deep, and Gina Almaguer’s voice resonates wildly in our hearts, though we’d rather compare her to Rachel Goswell over Billy Corgan. But don’t take our word for it — SHEER are playing on October 23rd at Carla’s Bakery (best Mexican food in Moorpark, no joke) with noisegasmic locals Sustains, Sea Lions, and Losing End.

If you were sold on our previous coverage of the band, you can pre-order their debut album via The Native Sound. Uneasy will be out on digital download and in limited-release cassettes November 20th. – Ryan Mo

Queens-based Negative Gemini – a project started by composer/programmer Lindsey French after her hip hop group dismantled – has been getting some attention this year after the release of debut EP "Real Virtual Unison." Her electronic sound escapes the synth-pop cathegorization, borrowing insatead from the dark, tense, and drony aesthetics of the early new wave (as in the more electronic, less extreme cousin of post punk). Our favorite track "Forget Your Future" (streaming below), never lets the tension fade, flirting with dissonance, while extremely filtered vocals harmonize in a crescendo of desperation. Negative Gemini has three shows scheduled this week within the CMJ Music Marathon, the first one at Bowery Electric on Wednesday 10.14. – Photo by Julia Nichols.