I think it’s possible that Backwords recorded their latest EP while serving burgers at a barbeque. Their latest EP, ‘By the Neck,’ captures a particular moment of sunshine in their campfire-ready anthems where the beers are still cold and the sun is still warm, and this is all thanks to how intimate and close-knit this bunch of friends is.
Even when the group misses a note or two (as happens on occasion), it’s all in the family. This is music for anyone to sing along to. Let’s just see you try and stop your foot from moving to acoustic guitar charmers like ‘Break My Spine’ and ‘Hey Kid!’ (streaming below). See them when they play The Rock Shop on May 10 or at Union Hall on May 19. – Backwords submitted their music for review here. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Hollands music is packed full of twists and turns. Unexpected lyrical declarations and sideways turns suddenly give way to bent harmonies and surprising acoustic inventions… and somehow it all comes together in the simplest of manners. With lyrics like ‘glory to god, i’d like to meet your mom,’ Hollands is a band with the wit of Stephen Malkmus, and penchant for pop gold that might make Randy Newman envious. There’s quite a bit going on here, but there’s also an honest delivery to it all that keeps you in expectation the whole time. Make no mistake, Hollands may very well be that band to keep track of this year. See them when they host a Tuesday residency in June, upstairs at Pianos. – Mike Levine

Though Skaters (#30 in our latest year end Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll) may be the new kids in town they’re hardly giving off the newbie-vibe. In fact, members of Skaters have already been around the block a few times, just in different bands. Their debut EP "Schemers" is a lot of fun — good old-fashioned leather jacket sporting, skinny jean wearing, punk-tinged garage pop-rock. Punchy, power chord-laden romps with sing-along choruses are elevated to anthems with generous reverb. If you weren’t already drinking a 40-ounce, you will be once you give them a listen. – AL

Ms Mr is a NYC based duo that plays moody and rather sensual electro pop, with an interestingly dark soul component, and a female lead singer with a voice to kill for – by the way, we’ll have to write a feature about the resurgence of soul in NYC… Although the band is very new (so new that we can’t find images of them – ah, these clever promotion tactics!), they seem to have everything in place to build some serious promotion in the upcoming months. They already have a summer tour booked opening for Marina and the Diamonds, plus 3 east coast shows in August – one of them at Webster Hall. This song streaming here called "Bones" is very intriguing, and we heard some unreleased material which sounded even more promising. You may want to keep an eye and a couple of ears on these guys.

Any fan of The Swell Season will find themselves at home with DeKoven Street’s deeply felt stories of love’s simultaneous frustrations and catharsis. Singer Nick Dragisic might recall the breathiness of crooners like John Mayer in his approach, but in songs off the band’s newest acoustic EP, ‘Varick Sessions,’ like the nostalgic ‘The Town,’ or the driving ‘Letters,’ the band showcases a charm and songwriting sensibility you don’t hear enough out of NYC. It’s a good thing this band’s moved here from their native Chicago. See the band when they play The Living Room May 12. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – Thi artist submitted his music for review here.

One of NYC’s most interesting new "non-DIY" artists, Snowmine boasts a hypnotizing and beautifully delivered live show. The band gave us yet another proof of it on April 26, when they opened for WIM at Pianos. Their melodic, atmospheric compositions were complemented by a rare onstage energy and intensity, which allowed the band’s sophisticated studio sound, made of layered background effects, swelling soundscapes and controlled distortion, to be recreated faithfully in the live setting. Lead singer Grayson Sanders’ confident falsetto at times brought to mind Vampire Weekend Ezra Koenig’s voice, covering an impressively wide range. The band will headline The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest ) with Lucius at Cameo on Saturday May 26. The fest, hosted by 4 Williamsburg Venues in 4 days (May 23-26), will involve more than 40 of the best NYC based emerging independent artists. Full schedule here. – Chelsea Eriksen

I haven’t tried this out yet, but I have a distinct feeling that Brooklyn’s Candidate might provide a pretty good soundtrack for the next international flight you find yourself stuck on. The band’s steady spaciness and alt-guitar chug-chug energy could work as an excellent backdrop to aviation… and likewise, the band has some lofty dreams, coming a long way even just since their singles posted from last year.
Their newest song, ‘April Again,’ charts singer Cedric Sparkman’s realization of not getting what he wants out of love, while his bandmates’ backing vocals provide a down-to-earth muse to second his thoughts. This back-and-forth between the trio’s members is a great strength, and makes the group’s shiny guitars and rolling bass lines work together as a well-oiled machine. Though it also sounds like this girl might still be giving him some issues… Catch them when they play The Trash Bar on Thursday May 17th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Having already established themselves as heavyweight psych-rock contenders, Brooklyn’s Naam are about to release their new EP "The Ballad of the Starchild" with an ambitious scope that further enhances their claim to the "Psych-est Band in NYC" title. "Sentry of Skies" blends unadorned acoustic and mournfully bended electric guitars with a folky tale of being lost in space. The full band emerges halfway through, propelling the track to its psyched-out conclusion. "Lands Unknown" pulses along on rubbery guitar figures and keyboard chords as bass and drums keep a steady pace for the sonic fireworks soon to explode over top, while "History’s Son" introduces mystical percussive elements to an acid-trance groove, serving as a shamanistic bridge to the EP’s thematic centerpiece "The Starchild." At nearly 11 minutes in length, this ambitous tour-de-force rides on a sinuey bassline, allowing crunching guitar chords and thunder-crack drums to throttle the center of your mind. Organ textures fill in open spaces when needed, creating a sonic hybrid that melds elements of bands like The Doors and Pink Floyd with the bombast of Black Sabbath. – Dave Cromwell

Jean-Philip Grobler rejects the idea that he is a synth-pop artist, citing his equal use of electronic and non-electronic instrumentation to support the claim. There are prominent piano chords, wandering guitar riffs and the odd sax solo littered throughout his sound, but with programmed beats providing the heartbeat and earthly synths bringing the soul, the NYC based South African – who releases music under the moniker St. Lucia – does create instrumentals of great electronic beauty. The comparisons to Temper Trap and Empire of the Sun are appropriate, but to my ear, Peter Gabriel is the most fitting comparison. A wonderful thing, I’m sure you’ll agree. St. Lucia is heading towards an important couple of weeks, with a show at Terminal 5 opening for The Shins and then a European tour which will take him to the UK and Paris. – Read Dean Van Nguyen interview with St. Lucia here.

Emerging Brooklyn based indie rock quartet Water Knot landed a slot at Bonnaroo 2012, and will therefore join Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Beach Boys, Bon Iver and many more high profile artists at this year edition of one of the most popular summer fests. Water Knot was selected through the Sonicbids’ Road To Roo Contest, congrats guys!

Alabama raised Allison and Catherine Pierce (aka The Pierces) have made their mark on the New York music scene for over a decade. Managing the ups and downs of a professional musical career in the era the record industry collapsed has been no easy task, but these talented ladies have done so with impressive class and resourcefulness. With four albums now under their belt, their latest "You and I" (out in March) is garnering them the amount attention they deserve. Deli contributor Dave Cromwell has been catching up with the blonde half of the duo, Catherine. – Read the interview here.

Riding the wave of what can be dubbed as the "nu-funk movement," CT based Kung Fu have a been tearing up NYC’s Brooklyn Bowl every Monday in April for their weekly residency appropriately dubbed, "The Bowl Sessions." On April 16th, installment two kicked off with sounds by Sonic Spank and Biodiesel. The latter featured the thumping live electronic beats of drumming legendry Johnny Rabb and Brothers Past bassist Clay Parnell. Kung Fu took the stage for a powerful funk dance party with highlights including a take on Weather Report’s “Teen Town" – with Weather Report’s own bassist Victor Bailey, who stayed on stage for a raging take on Billy Cobham’s “Red Baron,” also featuring Rabb. Next, the super group welcomed Dopapod drummer Neal “Fro” Evans on Jeff Beck’s “Come Dancing.” Just when fans thought Kung Fu had pulled out the last of their heavy hitting guests, The Heavy Pets guitarist Jeff Lloyd joined the band for a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Black Man". – Alex Borsody