Avan Lava, who was our NYC artist of the month earlier this year, just released the video for the "Sisters" (streaming below), a song that tames the dancey Prince influences of the previous single "Tear It Down" in favor of a softer and more elegant electro-pop sound slightly reminiscent of a more soul version of Prefab Sprout. The band is currently in the studio preparing their debut full length, scheduled for early 2013.

Vuvuzela comes on like a battering ram crashing through a carousel. The baroque instruments (complete with upright piano, harp, organ and antique synths to match) command the group through some serious trust issues… at least if we’re talking about trusting any semblance of peace and quiet. Through relentless piano key hammering and tenor vocal shrieking, the band chugs along om an unstoppable pace, pausing only for the tiniest of pianissimo interludes before derailing again in songs ‘Like A Lion’ and ‘Rings and Things’ (streaming below). Vuvuzela, like it’s instrumental namesake, is certainly a chaotic force to be reckoned with… but one that might be exactly what’s needed to lift your spirits on a NYC Monday. Check out a video here. – Mike Levine

Only having played together for about a year, Brooklyn-based group Rocket and the Ghost are gearing up for the release of their first debut EP in Spring of 2013. Vocalists Kiyoshi Matsuyama and Lily Claire met outside a bar on the Lower East Side and started working together on music that same night. Their forthcoming six-song collection with full-band features an earthy female-male vocal harmonies and driving melodies. Influences range from Beach House to Simon and Garfunkel, with a sound that bounces from rootsy pop to mellow folk. The band will be playing at Brooklyn Bowl on December 4th with The Hollows and The Bottom Dollars. – Devon Antonetti

It begins with the house lights going down. Then the crowd noise builds with clamoring and cheers. Trumpets swell from nowhere and Spanish guitar fills the room. As the band plugs in the crowd grows louder. Then Brandon Phillips, front man of the Kansas City punk outfit The Architects alerts the masses at Palladium in Los Angeles “here we fucking go.” 

Transplants Nicolas Losada and Julianna Ronderos have brought the vibrant colors of their native Columbia from their country, to our backyard. The duo – under the name Il Abanico –  has made Brooklyn their new home, and just might make things here a little more con vida for the rest of us. From the balloon-toting, floor tom stomping bear in latest video ‘Keep Calling,’ to the bilingual inventions of lead singer Juliana, their new EP ‘Crossing Colors’ weaves a cultural rainbow of shapes and sounds together that you won’t need a passport to experience. – Read Mike Levine’s interview with the band here, and see the band live on Friday November 11 at Rockwood Music Hall.

Mark your calendar folks! On December 7th, The Deli is presenting a night of music at Brooklyn Bazar, a free event inspired by night markets across Asia.

Headlining the show at 11pm will be talented Texan turned Newyorker Emily Wells, who has taken the concept of modern one-(wo)man-band to new heights: this young lady uses electronic looping devices and other effects to construct ethereal tunes which blend elements of folk, hip hop, orchestral and post-rock. Most important, she knows how to replicate them live through a dynamic live performance that sees her alternate through a noteworthy number of instruments, including violin, drums, glockenspiel, guitar and banjo. Her remarkable voice and beautiful, melancholic melodies glue these sonic constructions together and bring them to life. Check out her latest album Mama here.

At 10 pm, stylish crooner Devin will bring some fun to the crowd with some quality Rock’n’Roll. This is a guy who has the material and the flair to stand up to the haunting presence of the Big Apple’s legends of the genre. Like a more handsome Elvis Costello from his rocking period, Devin threads a rockabilly sound with quality songwriting and an image that’s at once edgy and reassuring. His performance at BK Bazar is definitely going to get some bodies moving – stream his new album here.

Fans of folk music will not want to miss Swear and Shake‘s performance at 9pm. This is a Brooklyn band that charmed us inside out at our Rootsy CMJ Stage this past October. Their feel good, quality alt-country is greatly enhanced by Kari Spieler’s adorable stage presence, which includes (among other things) a stunning voice, lots of smiling, and natural curls to kill for. All things that surely helped Sheryl Crow become the pop icon we all know by the way…

NYC experinstrumental  duo Live Footage – featuring also headliner Emily Wells as a guest on violin – will be opening the festivities at 8pm with their pleasant post-orchestral tracks, quite incredibly forged only using drums, a cello and a bunch of guitar pedal effects connected to the 4 string instrument. No wonder Emily Wells is into it!

Brooklyn Bazar is a free event that spreads through 4 weekends from November 23 to December 22. More info about the other nights can be found here.

Straight rap rarely works with reggae beats; Nas did it with Damian Marley, but talents of their caliber, once combined, are not to be f*’d with. Enter 100dbs and MC Ryan O’Neil (a.k.a.”The One-Handed Bandit” because literally only has one full arm); fresh vibes are immediately generated through dignified execution. With a delivery at times reminiscent of Abstract Rude, Ryan explores his role in the status quo of the rap game. His lighthearted approach complements his deep insight into human nature so that listeners feel more like they are learning with him than from him. 100dbs, known for his head-knocking seasonal mixes and love for dancehall, really digs into the production and comes out swinging on tracks like “Beautiful People.” With a history of solid releases simmering on their wake, “Tea and Spliffs” is a strong follow-up and a soothing meditation true to the title. – BrokeMc

Though relative newcomers to the burgeoning Brooklyn music scene, Lazyeyes features former Twees frontman Jason Abrishami on lead vocals, and presumably some guitar too. Though likable as his former band was, this project’s new direction is a welcome development. Current release "Wait" (streaming below) wraps itself in a lush atmospheric bed, as butterfly high-hat percussion syncopates between dueling open note arpeggios and rising guitar melody lines. The vocals are impressionist colors against pastel blue and pink skies. Previous track "Nostalgia" is paced a bit quicker as more distinctly dominant guitar riffs drive to a delightful instrumental conclusion. Iconic 90’s bands like Ride through present day jammers Diiv act as reference points. Lazyeyes will play Pianos on December 08. – Dave Cromwell

(Photo by Bill McKelvey)

The sounds of zydeco are catchy, instantly danceable, and tell stories of a culture that long ago adopted southern Louisiana as its American foothold. For a great many of the music-loving populace of the Kansas City area, the most consistent exposure to the music of New Orleans can be found Friday and Saturday nights on KCUR’s The Fish Fry. The diverse musical tablet of KC doesn’t include very many practitioners of the Cajun soundtrack; Louisiana Grammy-Award winner Chubby Carrier plays at Knucklehead’s so frequently, he may have been given honorary citizenship status here. There is one gentleman, however, who strives to share the sounds of the Crescent City with his fellow Kansas Citians: Ernest James, leader of Ernest James Zydeco, who is releasing the band’s third CD, 3 Steps from La La.

Plume Giant is a trio of multi-instrumentalists/vocalists who recently relocated to the city after graduating from Yale. From their theatrical grace to their retro-fitted instrumentals and rich vocal harmonies, they’re not really like anyone else in the city. They bring a refreshing finesse to the table and a lot of fun to the stage. With Calithump and its magnetic a capellas and swaying ways of a 60s summer daydream, Plume Giant easily charmed their way into the hearts of the NYC music scene. Probably the most endearing act to join the local folk parade this year, they’ve earned themselves a warm welcome to their new home. Don’t miss them live at The Rock Shop on December 5th, when they’ll be celebrating the release of their new album "Callithump". Check out the song "Kensico Dam from the new EP – TM

Glo-Fi/Chill Wave fans should mark January 23rd on their calendar, because that’s when New Jersey’s Ducktails will celebrate the release of their first album on Domino Records with a show at Le Poisson Rouge. Started as a solo project by Real Estate’s Matt Mondanile, Ducktails evolves with this album into a more collaborative effort. The preview title-track (streaming below) loses the low fidelity component present in all the band’s previous releases, but gains big time in the songwriting and production departement, so much so that we may want to call this "Dream Pop" rather than Glo-Fi. Look out for the release of another single before the release.

Sometimes living in the northeast this time of year can be a drag. November is a harbinger of long nights inside, brooding, staring into the fire, wondering when you’ll be able to once again dust off the old ten-speed and go for a ride around Harvard Square; or simply step outside without looking like a bag lady with circulation issues. Luckily, Boston indie pop quintet Parks is here to get you excited about one aspect of this season: Sweater Weather is the new jangle heavy first single from the upcoming full-length debut of Parks. Head bobbing is imminent, with super catchy hooks and thoughtful transitions. – Hillary Anderson