The two preview singles from Empress Of‘s upcoming album ‘Me’ (‘Kitty Kat,’ streaming below, and ‘Water Water’) reveal how the project of Brooklyn’s songwriter and electronic producer Lorely Rodriguez is evolving from its dream pop beginnings towards a more experimental and mature sound, closer to the avant-electro sensibility of artists like Bjork and Gang Gang Dance. Since Lorely produces her own music, we thought it would be interesting to ask her a few questions about her favorite gear and creative process… we did just that in our sister blog Delicious Audio – link below. 

LINK: Empress Of talks about gear and the creative process

Syncopation. We wonder how many Brooklyn musicians are aware of what that means or sounds like, since it’s a musical figure that’s nothing short of anathema in many genres popular in the neighborhood like garage rock, punk and derivatives. The Letter Yellow‘s latest single ‘Any Time of Day’ (premiering below) is a song about waiting, which is what syncopation is all about. It opens with a groovy, syncopated bass line that immediately conveys sophisticated musicianship and some kind of jazzy influences – which actually aren’t developed in the remainder of the song. A minimal guitar and drum arrangement carries Randy Bergida’s smoky tenor towards a portentous chorus, filled with synthetic brass fanfare and subtle guitar noises. The trio landed a residency at The Living Room, a venue dear to The Deli, which recently moved from Ludlow Street to Metropolitan Ave. in Williamsburg. See them any Monday from July 27 to August 17.

For Ben Godfrey, the sounds of his project B.E. Godfrey have been developing from his work out of the Texan alt-folk band, listenlisten. Both projects can be classified under the folk umbrella, but Godfrey’s latest record ranges from entirely traditional moments like ‘It Was the Wind‘ to more adventurous sounding tracks like single ‘Get Your Gun’ (streaming below). A dark and contemplative sound, the melancholic and lonely side of country, runs through the entire EP, released last year and entitled ‘Wild Desperation’. You can see B.E. Dogfrey this Wednesday at the Cake Shop alongside other other local alt-folk acts Shoshone, Buck Meek, and Tyler Jordan. – Sam O’Hara

Tune in to the sounds of Brooklyn-based pop group Secret Weapons, and you may not be able to stop yourself from dancing along – founding members Danny and Gerry sure can’t when they take to the stage. Although they’ve only released one track so far, a catchy and danceable tune entitled "Perfect World," (streaming below) the longtime friends have generated some buzz thanks to their energetic live-performances – and, as we hear, fun after parties. "Perfect World," released just three months ago, is a sparkling 4 minutes of catchy, 80s-esque synth melodies and a chorus that invites you to sing, and dance, along. The duo plans to get started on more recordings soon, but in the meantime they seem to have convinced the guys at Bowery Present, since, after headlining Rough Trade in April, they booked them for the first time at the Bowery Ballroom on August 10. That’s quite an accomplishment for any emerging band. – Patrick Wolff

At just 23 years old, the New York City based DJ/producer Sajeeb Saha, better known as Jai Wolf, has been blowing up on the electronic scene. After gaining the attention of Skrillex on Twitter, Jai Wolf’s beats are no secret anymore. His remixes are what first caught the eyes and ears of other DJs and EDM fans, but his solo tracks are really where Saha sets himself apart from the pack. His newest single, "Indian Summer" (below) showcases Jai Wolf’s sound, a dancey EDM with hip hop influences and an Eastern flair. His production style is one that draws from everything around him, and "Indian Summer" brings together samples of both videogame noises and traditional Indian music. It’s a catchy, undeniably good mix, making it clear Jai Wolf is here to stay. – Sam O’Hara

Take a care free stroll though electro-pop-land with Portland’s own Karl Kling. His latest single, ‘I Will Wait’ released on Crazy Heart Records, comes paired with an official video that perfectly blends the bouncy, synth-pop music with arthouse aesthetics. We can’t help but feel reminded of the glory days of the ’80s and movies featuring the Brat Pack. Karl’s music is chock full of poppy hooks and catchy beats that are sure to make any able body dance like no one is watching. Be sure to keep up to date as he may be playing a venue near you soon! – Nathaniel Clubine

The Deli NYC welcomes LA’s Dirty Dishes to the "lot" of land we call our "covered area." The noise rock duo settled in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, after releasing their latest full length ‘Guilty‘ on Exploding in Sound Records earlier in 2015. Active since 2010, this is a band that will certainly find a lot of supporters in their new borough’s DIY circuit, brimming with lovers of dissonance, fuzz and loud live performances. NYC seems a rather appropriate home for Dirty Dishes, since their sound is obviously following on the footsteps of Sonic Youth and other pioneers of the noise rock movement – in this regard, check out single ‘Red Roulette,’ streaming, and album opener ‘Thank You Come Again.’ This being said, the duo has always cultivated also a mellower, at times almost ambient side, which inspired songs like ‘Androginous Love Song‘ and ‘Dan Cortez‘ among others. The band just ended a US tour, we are looking forward to their first home show in NYC!

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

Liphemra is headed to perform this Wednesday at the Low End Theory with Brooklyn’s future soul savant Taylor McFerrin, experimental hip-hop from Monterey Ashtre Jinkins, and LA’s ill goddess LINAFORNIA. Expect top shelf performances by residents The Gaslamp Killer, Nobody, D-Styles, Low End Theory host Nocando, and independent label Alpha Pup co-founder Daddy Kev.

Due to unforseen circumstances, Liphemra was unable to perform at the Low End Theory in May. But that hasn’t slowed them down — Liphemra worked last-minute support for Algiers‘ West Coast tour, gave a stellar performance at the second Lolipalooza, and released their zine did u cry through Lollipop and Burger Records to fan acclaim. Now, the four-piece dubbed by IMPOSE as "one of LA’s most passionate and sonically progressive phenomenons" are in full gear, with a return to the annual Echo Park Rising festival and new material in the works.

Watch the premiere of the music video for Liphemra’s recent release "Magazines" directed by Liza Mandelup and witness the grandeur live Wednesday night at the Low End Theory. – Ryan Mo

Liphemra // Magazines from Liza Mandelup on Vimeo.

Like a true lover, Wilsen‘s music might not catch your ear at first; but, if you give it a chance, it will court it, charm it and slowly conquer it – the ear, that is. That’s what happened to us in 2013, when the Brooklyn-based English songwriter released her debut album ‘Sirens’ – we named the album NYC Record of the Month and a few month later, after witnessing her live, put her on the cover of our fall/CMJ issue together with her band. Notwithstanding the fact that her music was already great, Wilsen’s new single ‘Garden" is stepping things up another notch, adding to her stellar songwriting talent a tasteful and luscious forward thinking electronic production. See her live at Mercury Lounge on August 7.

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

This upcoming Thursday, July 23, we’ll debut a new collaboration with the NYC branch of that rapidly expanding movement of "secret" DIY shows called Sofar Sounds. Since the show is secret, we won’t be able to tell you who is playing, but we can guarantee you:

1. Great music
2. A good time in a cool space
3. An audience attentive and social at once.

Oh, and if by any chance you are interested in meeting the staff of our NYC blog, somebody from The Deli will be there for sure (just ask the Sofar Sounds organizers and they’ll point you in the right direction). 

To attend Sofar Sounds gigs you can either apply for free here and hope to be picked (due to high demand, Sofar Sound randomly chooses the attendees for each show) or you can jump the queue and guarantee your spot buying tickets – this event is sold out though, so maybe next time! 

P.S. Ok, ok we’ll give you a hint: the female duo in the picture will be one of the performing acts.

The Deli NYC’s staff

TOONS is at times a surprising wordsmith stoner and at times a broody, crashing-on-the-couch (“just for a few days”) and hitting-on-all-your-friends stoner. They have some important questions to ask: “I wonder how, where did all these cows comes from? And I wonder cow, where did all this bread come from? And I wonder bread…”, ambitions: “I’m gonna look at you get naked, I brought all these dollars for your panties tonight”, and a haunted past: “God left me on a garbage can, now I’m right back here again…all my friends they don’t like me and they aint gonna watch me change." On their latest (self titled) album, the attitude is all fun and Beastie Boys while the vocal sensibility calls up Bob Dylan and instrumentation goes garage jam all the way. Even when these songs glimpse into self-pitying disaster you get the feeling it’s all a punch line and you’re actually stuck in a Kevin Smith movie. Check out this quick but great video of ‘Bazooka Joe’ and see them at Palisades on August 4th. – Leora Mandel 

Cricket Tell The Weather is a fiddle-swelling, banjo-plucking, story-relating, undeniably Americana vision. The NYC quintet includes fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and a rotating cast of singers with varying tones. Their self-titled debut album at times swings into full on bluegrass territory but isn’t married to tradition—some songs dare to stick an arm or two out the window. The switching off of singers/songwriters helps to keep the record diverse—one moment you’re out contra dancing between golden bales of hay and the next you’re staring up at the Brooklyn Bridge, feeling ambushed and wondering aloud about the stars in their absence. The band will take this sound on an east coast tour this August, kicking things off with a performance at Rockwood Music Hall on August 14. – Leora Mandel