Thanks to their their interactive, fantastical and always unique performances a la’ Flaming Lips (but on an indie budget), the musical collective Futurist is building a reputation in NYC. The band doesn’t really need the added theatrics to draw attention to their music, but it is a well-executed bonus. On their debut "War Is Yesterday," Futurist constructs a colorful, vivacious musical terrain filled with good vibes. – Read Nancy Chow’s interview with the band here, and don’t miss the band’s performance at Public Assembly on May 24, within The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. with In One Wind, Xenia Rubinos, Pass Kontrol, Illumintr, Wazu and many more!

Residencies are awesome. Why, you ask? Because they are like a statement from a venue’s booking agent that says: "these guys are good and you should check them out!" And venues’ talent scouts definitely know a thing of two about emerging bands…

Brooklyn duo (via Las Vegas) Magmana landed a 3 night residency at Gowanus’ The Rock Shop. The band’s most intriuing song "Watch the Ball" (streaming below) is a subdued indie-pop gem in the vein of Grandaddy and Air. Sincere male and female harmonized voices tie together the many musical ingredients at work, ranging from a rootsy overall attitude to psychedelic-ish instrumental breaks with minimalistic electronic flourishes. Other tracks found on their Facebook profile are a little more conventional atmospheric numbers with bluesy overtones, mostly featuring Ms Joan Tick’s melancholic alto in a very stripped down musical environment. See them live at The Rock Shop on May 23 or May 30.

NYC’s David E. Beats of the White House Band has been just taking his signature “New vogue” style of hip hop to a new level. Known for his dynamic solo performances in which he raps and plays guitars amidst smoke and flashing lights, he is also a gifted producer and demonstrates his prowess on the recently released "Renaissance Mixtape." Flurries of chopped samples propelled by slamming drums give D.E.B. an elegant platform to launch his lyrics from. He manifests his swagger with elegance and practiced technique. Altogether there can be no dispute that the "Renaissance Mixtape" is of museum-quality. Add this limited piece to your collection for free – download here. – BrokeMC

This past weekend, Austin, TX’s Fiesta Gardens hosted the fifth annual Pachanga Fest on May 11 and 12, a celebration of Latin art and culture’s influence in America. Numerous genres were represented on the three stages, from rock, tejano, mariachi, cumbia, salsa, electronic, funk, hip hop, to indie, and although the origins or the artists were just as varied, all attendees were united by the appreciation of the vibrant and eclectic art. Day one started at sundown, and Peligrosa, Austin’s DJ troupe, entertained between Houston’s Chingo Bling, New York’s Outernational , and Puerto Rico’s Calle 13, a collaborator on Outernational’s latest, “Todos Somo Ilegales.” The second day began with Mexican alternative quintet, Umano Ache from Laredo, TX, followed by a second Outernational appearance. Half-New York-based, half Brazil- based, flautist-led Forro in the Dark, and acclaimed Chilean rapper, Ana Tijoux, followed suit on the Hierba Stage. Just across the park, pop singer/songwriter out of Austin, David Garza serenaded, and funky and psychedelic Brownout played the main Pavilion stage along with LA’s all girl, rock trio, Girl in a Coma. The weekend closed with a set by Latino blues-rock legends, Los Lonely Boys. Pachanga Fest was a sunny and inspiring weekend, full of sounds that any music enthusiast should check out in the future. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Since moving to NYC from L.A. in ‘99, the flurry of local bands I’ve fallen for has been dizzying.  But none in recent memory has gripped me quite like new garage soul outfit Clear Plastic Masks, fronted by Detroit-bred Andrew Katz (ex-New York Howl). Powerful sh*t emanates from this man who, at 6’6”, casts an imposing shadow, yet you’ll never meet a warmer guy.  The band’s sound dynamics are what’s most striking. One minute Katz’s everyman poet is casually whispering in your ear like an old friend telling you a joke and putting you at ease.  The next Matt Menold (guitars, keys) is pummeling you with ocean size Hendrix licks and Stax Hammond organ drones. But a deep soulfulness permeates every note, and the Cuban and Dominican roots of rhythm section Eddy DuQuesne (bass) and Charlie Garmendia (drums) ensure asses are kept shakin’ and the funk is kept stankin’. It adds up to a powerful elixir that could only be brewed in this great city of ours, and it’s undeniably rock n’ roll. In the last month the Masks recorded their forthcoming debut LP with producer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes; Jay Reatard) in Nashville, and filmed this video with director Joshua Shoemaker in Alabama. Catch them headlining the Knitting Factory on Friday 05.25 and be left reeling.  – Ryan Henriquez

Brooklyn based boy/girl duo The Henry Millers just released the video for their single "Diamonds," streaming below. The guys played Brooklyn Bowl on May 8 and are definitely one of the new bands to watch in the NYC area.Inspired by the tale of Bonnie and Clyde, the video was produced by Land of Nod Inc.

Be careful about popping on Island Twins’ latest two releases. You may find yourself singing along to lyrics you wouldn’t otherwise feel comfortable belting – the band has a knack for turning stark phrases like ‘Lying in State’ into gleeful chants of bouncy pop fun.

It’s this kind of playfulness that Sebadoh used to infuse into otherwise heavy subjects that comes through in this three piece. The other release up right now is ‘The Wolfs Lair,’ which confirms the bouncing tendencies. Despite the best efforts of the group to surround its ominous sentiment with noisy theatrics, the tunes comes through loud and clear. For Island Twins, there’s is a warm conversation happening between old friends, and thats what makes their strong doses of deprecating humor go down easy. DYI show lovers may see them at Suburbia on 330 Melrose St. this Saturday May 19 with other locals Shapes, Au Revoir and Stamps. The band has an album release scheduled for June. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Tonight Thursday May 17, Delicate Steve and People Get Ready will be taking the stage at Mercury Lounge. Big things have been in the works for headliner Delicate Steve (aka Steve Marion), who’s been covered repeatedly in our blog and magazine, and played our B.E.A.F. 2011 — he’ll drop new album "Positive Force" on July 10th. In support of this new effort, the multi-instrumentalist will be touring the US (plus one stop at UK End of the Road Festival) through August. Included are dates alongside Yeasayer and tUnE-yArDs, plus a 4-day installation across New York.

People Get Ready, a sort of combo dance group and indie act, is a bit of an all-star cast with a fantastic live show and it’s bound to explode soon. Frontman Steve Reker toured as a dancer/guitarist with David Byrne and drummer Luke Fasano is formerly of Yeasayer. Tons of hook and layered melodies mark this indie act, that will be releasing debut later this year, so be on the look out. – Corinne Bagish

Evi Antonio claims he’s having a tough time finding a good woman… but I’m not buying it. His music is so carefree and fun, I can’t imagine he’s having this much trouble attracting the right girl. In his latest EP ‘China, Man,’ Antonio whines and wails his way through two bouncy escapades all about the dangers of finding yourself with either no woman, or worse… the wrong woman.

But if any of this makes you think Evi’s a downer, don’t be alarmed. He is truly a master at the absurd, and builds his songs in a playground too full of pranks and tricks to ever allow any underlying issues of unrequited love to get him down. ‘Blank’ for instance, punctuates Evi’s helium-filled lungs with toy piano lines and rollicking drums, while ‘blank’ situates his sound within an amusement park filled with plenty of blank and blank. See the man live at Big Snow Buffalo Lodge on June 8 or at Glasslands on June 18. – Mike Levine